Doctor of Nursing Practice

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QUICK FACTS

These facts apply to all DNP programs except nurse anesthesia.

ENROLLMENT

ADMISSION

LENGTH
Full or Part Time
Fall Only
2 to 6 Years

DELIVERY

TUITION

DEGREE
Hybrid
$1,044*
Doctor of
Nursing Practice

SCHOLARSHIPS

CAMPUS

PATHWAYS
$289,000**
All 6 Campuses
RN-to-DNP,
Post-MS DNP
*Tuition listed is per credit hour and applies to both in-state and out-of-state enrollment.
**Reflects dollars distributed by the College of Nursing to students in all degree programs, 2022-23.

The Expert Clinician

The below content applies to all but one of our DNP focus areas. Visit the nurse anesthesia program page for complete information on that program.

Admits: Fall

Eleven DNP focus area programs are offered in a hybrid format consisting of online, on-site and blended courses, and culminating with a DNP project. All didactic coursework is online, and faculty arrange high-value clinicals for students in the vicinity of the student’s campus.

Students graduate with an exceptional blend of clinical, organizational, financial and leadership skills—prepared not only to improve outcomes for their own patients, but also to contribute to the transformation of health care.

The DNP program is offered at all six UIC Nursing campuses: Chicago, Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield and Urbana. Students admitted to regional campuses may have to travel to Chicago or another region for at least one course or lab.

Because the program is hybrid with some on-campus requirements, and because faculty arrange all clinical site placements for students, students must live within commuting distance of the UIC Nursing campus to which they are admitted. That could be in Illinois or a bordering state (IA, WI, IN, MO, KY). Students must also have a registered nursing license in the state in which their clinicals will be completed.

Applications accepted August through March.

Apply Now

  • # 17 UIC Nursing's DNP program is ranked No. 17 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report

  • 11 The number of focus areas in which we offer the DNP ... and there's also a post-master's option

  • 92 % The percentage of UIC DNP grads who pass their certification exams

Explore all focus areas

As a UIC DNP student, clinical rotations are arranged for you.

All DNP students at UIC are assigned highly qualified preceptors at desirable clinical sites, selected by knowledgeable program directors. By partnering with skilled preceptors in a variety of health care settings, we ensure that every student is provided with the best mentorship experiences while learning the necessary clinical practice skills. These rotations combine with high-quality simulation scenarios (also included in our curriculum) to give students a broad range of advanced, hands-on patient-management experiences.

Learn more at an info session near you

DNP vs. PhD: Which program is right for you

Program length

Happy student

Most students complete the DNP program in 2 to 6 years. Once enrolled, a faculty advisor works with each student to create an individualized program plan. Program length depends on several factors, including the chosen focus area, full- or part-time enrollment, and route of entry:

  • Students entering with an MS typically complete the program in 2 to 4 years, depending on focus area.
  • Students entering with a BSN typically complete the program in 3 to 5 years.
  • Students entering as licensed RNs with a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field typically complete the program in 4 to 6 years.

For APRNs who want to expand or deepen their expertise

For APRNs with MS degrees who want a DNP

APRNs who have a master’s degree in any focus areas offered by the UIC College of Nursing other than nurse anesthesia may apply for a post-master’s DNP. The program will include didactic coursework as well as a DNP project and practicum experience. In the end, each student has the 1,000 clinical hours required to earn a DNP.

For DNP-prepared APRNs who want another focus area

The post-DNP certificate programs are designed for DNP-prepared advanced practice nurses to qualify for national credentialing in a focus area in which they are not currently credentialed. Post-DNP certificates are offered in all 10 UIC Nursing programs that lead to advanced practice roles as nurse practitioners or nurse midwives. As with the full DNP program, the post-DNP programs admit students in the fall, and the application deadline is January 15.

Are you an RN with a non-nursing bachelor's degree?

Generic DNP student

The DNP Transition Program is the route of entry to the DNP for students with an RN license and a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

  • Transition students are required to take up to four additional courses, determined upon admission. Courses are NURS 212, 232, 312 and 352.
  • All transition courses are delivered online in eight-week modules taught by UIC Nursing faculty.
  • Students are assessed professional student tuition/fees, and course credits are applied the same as graduate degree courses.
  • All required transition courses are to be completed during the first fall/spring semesters following admission to the College of Nursing and before beginning any coursework in the DNP degree.

Enrich your degree with a certificate

All campuses offer this program

Take the next step

Need to reach the DNP program director? Contact Melissa Carlucci, DNP, ACNP-BC.

Need More Information?

Submit this form and an Enrollment Advisor will contact you to answer your questions.

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