Nursing Schools in Chicago: Accredited Online & Campus Programs

From a traditional four-year BSN to graduate-level study, Loyola University Chicago offers academic nursing options for every level. Alongside the traditional four-year track, Loyola Chicago also offers both in-person and hybrid accelerated options for RNs already working in the field. Each option also holds CCNE accreditation.

Whether delving into the world of patient care or presenting a paper at the school’s annual research conference, Loyola Chicago students tackle rigorous theoretical coursework in both traditional on-campus and hybrid formats. In addition to an accelerated BSN, the school provides MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. programs as hybrid offerings along with an online post-graduate certificate in oncology nursing.

BSN students focus on four nursing areas: general, surgical/medical, maternal/child, and community health administration. At all levels of study, professional values like social justice, scientific reason, and a celebration of diversity guide learning initiatives.

An upper-division university designed for students with a minimum of two years of college coursework, Resurrection University offers undergraduate coursework in nursing and imaging technology. Resurrection University has flexible courses provided day, night, weekday, or weekend, whether you’re a working RN or new to the field.

Resurrection University’s BSN has three start dates yearly and is often completed in as few as 16 months. In addition to the required hands-on clinical work, students tackle courses in foundations of nursing practice, women and newborn health nursing, and community and population-focused health. Additionally, Resurrection encourages students to enroll in a service-learning elective to apply their skills in underserved communities in the United States and beyond.

Along with undergraduate BSN and RN to BSN tracks, this Chicago-based school also offers graduate-level degrees, including various MSN concentrations and a DNP program.

Chicago State University provides technical and professional nursing training essential to competent care and focuses on developing a sense of civic responsibility and dedication to community health. Offering both traditional BSN and RN to BSN tracks, CSU’s nursing program is accredited by the ACEN and holds approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations.

In addition to required clinical hours, CSU students complete a variety of both theoretical and practical nursing courses in topics like theory and professional issues in nursing, comprehensive care of adults, and community-based care of family. A recent program addition, the RN to BSN provides a flexible option for working nurses, requiring them to attend classes only one night per week.

Before being accepted into the school’s traditional BSN program, you must enroll as a pre-nursing major. Applicants must have a cumulative science GPA of at least 2.75, complete an entrance examination, and compose a 400-word personal essay discussing their decision to enter the nursing profession.

The University of Illinois-Chicago offers an online RN to BSN program that is often completed in as few as 16 months. This 30-credit track provides working nurses with the salary and career benefits of the BSN credential while also offering a practical path towards admission into UIC’s MSN program.

Applicants must have at least 57 transferable credits in liberal arts and science coursework. Additionally, prospective students must have a current RN license and an ADN degree or equivalent undergraduate nursing coursework. RN to BSN coursework includes concepts for contemporary nursing, introduction to nursing informatics, nursing leadership, and healthcare management.

Interested students must provide official transcripts from all previous institutions and have an overall transferable GPA of at least 2.5. Besides providing official documentation of current RN licensure, prerequisite science courses like human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology are also required.

Saint Xavier University offers a 100% online RN to BSN program designed for working nurses who have an ADN degree and RN licensure. Typically graduating in only five semesters, SXU students complete 28 hours of nursing credits along with six hours of religion or philosophy.

As an RN to BSN student, you’ll undertake a variety of theoretical and practical courses. These include issues in women’s health, global health and population-based nursing care, and nursing management in professional nursing practice. Before graduation, students also complete a capstone in nursing practice, allowing them to apply knowledge and skills while demonstrating competencies outlined in program outcomes.

Applicants must submit an online application and provide proof of an active RN license. Additionally, prospective students must submit official transcripts from all previous college-level work and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Located near Chicago’s Lincoln Park, DePaul University offers an RN to MSN program available entirely online. Aside from clinical hours, students can complete coursework without interrupting personal and professional obligations. During this seamless track from RN to MSN, you’ll gain the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for providing compassionate, competent care. The bachelor’s portion of coursework builds upon the skills and knowledge learned during ADN studies. After completing the bachelor’s component, students move into graduate-level classes.

The master’s portion of this flexible distance learning option prepares working nurses for professional specializations as nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, and nursing administrators. Core nursing courses include theoretical components of nursing, ethical and political engagement in nursing, and informatics and technology applications.

Applicants need ADN degrees or diplomas from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program. Prospective students must provide academic transcripts demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Like many bridge programs, DePaul requires that applicants provide proof of a current, unencumbered RN license.