The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing offers all six nurse practitioner population foci: family (FNP), psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), pediatric primary care (PNP-PC), and pediatric acute care (PNP-AC). Every NP track is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and every specialty also has a post-DNP certificate. UIC also offers women’s health NP and nurse-midwifery focus areas.
Three policies shape the decision more than any single specialty detail:
- Faculty arrange every clinical placement. Program directors select sites and assign preceptors in every specialty, so students do not search for their own.
- You must live near a campus. Because placements are arranged around the admitting campus, DNP students must live within commuting distance of Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, or Urbana.
- One rate for every residency. UIC charges $1,129 per credit in 2026–27 for in-state and out-of-state students, about $85,000 for most BSN-entry doctorates.
Quick facts
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Nursing School | UIC College of Nursing |
| Location | Chicago, IL, plus regional campuses in Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana |
| NP Specialties | FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC; also WHNP |
| Degree Options | BSN to DNP (six tracks); post-DNP certificate (six tracks); post-master’s DNP |
| Format | Hybrid: online, blended, and on-campus courses |
| Clinical Placement | Faculty arrange all sites and preceptors near the student’s campus |
| Residence Rule | Must live within commuting distance of the admitting campus (Illinois or a bordering state) |
| RN Experience | None required (PNP-PC) to one year of acute care (AGACNP, PNP-AC) |
| Start Terms | Fall only |
| Tuition | $1,129 per credit (2026–27), in-state and out-of-state |
| Accreditation | CCNE (DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate); HLC |
Comparing UIC’s NP programs
BSN-entry doctorates run 73 to 82 credits over about four years of part-time study. Certificates run 23 to 44 credits and require a DNP.
| Pathway | Credits | Clinical hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 75 | About 765 FNP (derived) | BSN; no experience minimum published |
| Post-DNP certificate | 25 | 585 | DNP |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 82 | Not published | BSN; psychiatric experience preferred |
| Post-DNP certificate | 31–44 | 675 | DNP |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 75–77 | 1,000 (675 specialty) | BSN |
| Post-DNP certificate | 23–36 | 500–675 | DNP |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 75–77 | 1,000 (675 specialty) | BSN; one year of adult acute care |
| Post-DNP certificate | 23–36 | 500–675 | DNP |
| Pediatric Primary Care (PNP-PC) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 73–75 | 1,035 (765 pediatric) | BSN; no experience required |
| Post-DNP certificate | About 24 (est.) | Not published | DNP |
| Pediatric Acute Care (PNP-AC) | |||
| BSN to DNP | 74 | 1,035 (765 pediatric) | BSN; one year of full-time pediatric acute care |
| Post-DNP certificate | About 26 (est.) | 750 minimum | DNP |
Figures come from UIC’s 2026–27 catalog, program pages, and plans of study. Where they disagree, the table shows a range: the AGPCNP and AGACNP program pages list 77 credits against the catalog’s 75, and the PNP-PC plan of study totals 73 against the catalog’s 75. Certificate credits marked as estimates assume the DNP’s specialty sequence, since UIC does not list those certificates’ courses. Higher certificate figures apply to DNP holders without current APRN certification.
What stands out about UIC’s NP programs
- All six NP populations. UIC and Rush are the only Illinois schools offering every specialty, and UIC adds a post-DNP certificate in each.
- No preceptor search. Faculty arrange sites and preceptors in every specialty, a policy UIC highlights across its NP programs.
- Five campuses. The PMHNP runs at all five, the pediatric tracks at four, and the adult and family tracks at Chicago, Rockford, and Urbana.
- No out-of-state surcharge. The DNP rate is the same for residents of Illinois and the bordering states UIC enrolls.
- Pediatric acute care from the BSN. Nurses with a year of pediatric acute care experience can enter a CPNP-AC doctorate directly.
Which UIC NP program fits your goal?
- FNP: Lifespan primary care with an emphasis on underserved communities
- PMHNP: Psychiatric care at any of UIC’s five campuses
- AGPCNP: Primary care for adolescents through older adults, in a track that shares most of its courses with the FNP
- AGACNP: Adult acute and critical care, for nurses with a year of adult acute care experience
- PNP-PC: Pediatric primary care, open to new BSN graduates
- PNP-AC: Pediatric acute and critical care, for nurses with a year of full-time pediatric acute care
Family Nurse Practitioner
Credits 25–75 · Clinical hours 585–765 · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The FNP DNP runs 75 credits over four to five years of part-time study, at Chicago, Rockford, or Urbana. Its three primary care practicums carry 17 credits, about 765 clinical hours at UIC’s standard ratio. Foundational courses bring students to campus two to three days a semester, and FNP courses meet on campus every three to four weeks.
A 25-credit post-DNP certificate carries 585 clinical hours, and certified FNPs with a master’s can enter a post-master’s DNP. U.S. News ranks UIC’s FNP program ninth nationally.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Credits 31–82 · Clinical hours 675 (certificate) · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The PMHNP DNP runs 82 credits, the longest of UIC’s NP doctorates, and is offered at all five campuses. The focus area adds dedicated courses in neuropathophysiology and psychopharmacology, plus child, adolescent, and family mental health. UIC gives preference to applicants with psychiatric or behavioral health experience.
The post-DNP certificate runs 31 credits and 675 clinical hours, or up to 44 credits for DNP holders without current APRN certification. U.S. News ranks UIC’s PMHNP program sixth nationally.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
Credits 23–77 · Clinical hours 500–1,000 · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The AGPCNP DNP runs 75 to 77 credits over four years, part-time only, with 1,000 practicum hours, 675 of them in the specialty. It shares two management courses and all three primary care practicums with the FNP, so choosing between them comes down to one course and one certification exam.
The 23-credit post-DNP certificate carries 500 to 675 hours set by gap analysis. DNP holders without APRN certification add 13 credits.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
Credits 23–77 · Clinical hours 500–1,000 · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The AGACNP DNP runs 75 to 77 credits over three to five years, part-time only, with 1,000 practicum hours, 675 in the specialty. Applicants need a year of RN experience in adult acute care by admission, and ICU experience is preferred. Clinicals span hospitals, ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty outpatient sites.
The 23-credit post-DNP certificate follows the same 500-to-675-hour gap analysis as the AGPCNP certificate. UIC reports a 100% certification pass rate for its AGACNP graduates.
Pediatric Primary Care
Credits 73–75 · Clinical hours 1,035 · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The PNP-PC DNP runs 73 to 75 credits over four years, with 765 pediatric clinical hours and 270 DNP project hours. No RN experience is required, and applicants may apply before passing the NCLEX. Pediatric coursework begins in the third year.
Students can add an optional Primary Care Mental Health concentration, which requires its own application and adds credits. A post-DNP certificate is open to DNP-prepared APRNs; UIC does not list its courses.
Pediatric Acute Care
Credits 26–74 · Clinical hours 750–1,035 · BSN to DNP · Certificate
The PNP-AC DNP runs 74 credits over four years, with the same 765 pediatric and 270 project hours as primary care. Applicants need a year of full-time RN experience in pediatric acute care by the time of admission, and emergency department or ICU experience is preferred. The track is offered at Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and Urbana.
The post-DNP certificate requires at least 750 pediatric acute care hours, set by gap analysis. Certified PNP-ACs with a master’s can enter a post-master’s DNP.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
UIC’s DNP has three entry points:
- BSN to DNP: all six NP specialties, in about three to five years
- Post-master’s DNP: for certified APRNs with a master’s, in about two to four years; the NP pages name it for certified FNPs and PNP-ACs
- DNP Transition Program: for RNs with a bachelor’s in another field, adding up to four courses before the DNP, in about four to six years
Applicants choose one campus and one specialty per cycle, and changes after admission are not guaranteed. The DNP does not meet F-1 or J-1 student visa requirements.
Post-graduate certificates
UIC offers post-DNP certificates in all six specialties, and every one requires a completed DNP.
- Eligibility: a DNP; graduates of systems-focused DNPs need additional coursework
- APRN status: DNP holders without current APRN certification add about 13 credits
- Clinical hours: at least 500 in the new focus area, and more in some specialties; hours from a current APRN role do not count
- Financial aid: certificates are not degree-seeking, so federal aid is not available
Master’s-prepared NPs adding a specialty will need a degree program instead, since none of UIC’s certificates accepts an MSN.
Clinical placement
UIC’s placement model is the same in every specialty: program directors select practicum sites and assign preceptors, near the campus that admitted the student.
- Residence: DNP students must live within commuting distance of their campus, which limits enrollment to Illinois and the bordering states of Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky
- Licensure: an RN license is required in the state where clinicals take place
- Mobility: because placements are tied to a campus, moving mid-program can disrupt the plan of study
The trade-off is direct: UIC removes the preceptor search, but only for students who can stay near a campus for four or more years.
Format and campus requirements
Every UIC NP track is hybrid, mixing online, blended, and on-campus courses. Regional students may need to travel to Chicago or another campus for at least one course or lab, such as the advanced health assessment lab.
| Specialty | Campuses | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| FNP | Chicago, Rockford, Urbana | 2–3 campus days a semester early on; FNP courses every 3–4 weeks |
| PMHNP | All five | On-site and blended courses; frequency not published |
| AGPCNP | Chicago, Rockford, Urbana | Recurring on-campus coursework; part-time only |
| AGACNP | Chicago, Rockford, Urbana | Recurring on-campus coursework; part-time only |
| PNP-PC | Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Urbana | Blended courses and labs on site |
| PNP-AC | Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Urbana | Blended courses and labs on site |
Admissions
- Degree: a BSN from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited program, or a bachelor’s in another field plus an RN license
- GPA: 3.00 for work beyond the bachelor’s and for the final 60 hours of the first bachelor’s degree
- Licensure: an RN license in at least one jurisdiction; applicants may apply before passing the NCLEX
- Experience: none required (PNP-PC), preferred psychiatric experience (PMHNP), or one year of acute care (AGACNP, PNP-AC)
- Materials: three recommendations, essays, a CV, and a required interview; no GRE
- Deadlines: November 1 (early), January 15 (standard), and April 1 (final), for fall admission only
Applications go through NursingCAS plus a UIC supplemental application. With a single fall intake, missing the April 1 final deadline means waiting a year.
Tuition
UIC charges one professional DNP rate for in-state and out-of-state students. Summer terms are billed separately, so estimates at the full rate slightly overstate plans with summer coursework.
| Per credit, fall and spring (2026–27) | $1,129 |
| Per credit, summer 2026 | $1,075 |
| Chicago fees, per fall or spring semester (6–11 credits) | About $2,197 |
| Pathway | Credits | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP (FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP) | 75 | $84,675 |
| BSN to DNP (PNP-AC) | 74 | $83,546 |
| BSN to DNP (PNP-PC) | 73–75 | $82,417–$84,675 |
| BSN to DNP (PMHNP) | 82 | $92,578 |
| Post-DNP certificate (AGPCNP, AGACNP) | 23–36 | $25,967–$40,644 |
| Post-DNP certificate (FNP) | 25 | $28,225 |
| Post-DNP certificate (PMHNP) | 31–44 | $34,999–$49,676 |
| Post-DNP certificate (PNP-PC, PNP-AC) | About 24–26 (est.) | About $27,096–$29,354 |
- Fees add up: a four-year part-time plan carries roughly eight fall and spring fee charges, about $17,000 on the Chicago campus.
- Insurance is waivable: the Chicago fee includes a $753 health insurance charge each semester that students with other coverage can waive.
- Regional campuses differ: Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana charge a different fee mix.
These are NPPrograms.com estimates built from UIC’s published rates and credit totals. See UIC’s professional tuition and fees and the College of Nursing cost and financial aid page.
Accreditation and certification
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits UIC’s Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate APRN certificate programs. The University of Illinois Chicago is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. U.S. News ranks UIC’s DNP 11th nationally.
Certification follows the population focus: ANCC or AANPCB for FNP, ANCC for PMHNP, ANCC for AGPCNP, ANCC or AACN for AGACNP, and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board for CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC.
Who is UIC best for?
May be a strong fit for
- Nurses near Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, or Urbana who want placements arranged
- Residents of bordering states who live near a UIC campus
- New BSN graduates interested in pediatric primary care
- Pediatric ICU and ED nurses seeking CPNP-AC from the BSN level
- Nurses who want a doctorate and can study part-time for four years
Compare other options if
- You want an NP master’s rather than a doctorate
- You live outside commuting range of a UIC campus
- You hold an MSN and want a post-graduate certificate
- You want to finish in less than four years
- You need a fully online program
Compare more NP programs in Illinois
- Bradley University - Peoria
- DePaul University - Chicago
- Loyola University Chicago - Chicago
- Rush University - Chicago