Educating Healthcare Leaders of the Future
In addition to providing high-quality patient care to communities and neighborhoods across the state of Illinois, the academic health enterprise of UI Health incorporates the educational functions of UIC’s seven health sciences colleges to better prepare students for future careers in healthcare.
Representing the seven health sciences colleges and their numerous programs and specialties, UI Health has trained thousands of healthcare professionals who practice around the city of Chicago, across the state of Illinois and throughout the United States – and beyond.
Explore Your Future in the Health Professions
UIC’s Pre-Health Programs
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers specialized advising for students interested in pursuing future professional studies in a variety of health careers. Students will be guided in the incorporation of prerequisite coursework alongside bachelor’s degree requirements to enhance their professional credentials and expand future career possibilities.
Health Professional Pathways at UIC
Learn about 11 different health professions, responsibilities of the roles, and the training necessary for success in these fields.
You can watch brief videos that detail these health sciences professions: Dentistry, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Public Health and Social Work.
Top Ranked Health Sciences Programs
UIC continues its national momentum with graduate programs ranked in the top 25, nationally. In the U.S. News 2026 graduate program rankings, the graduate program at UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy moved up four places to be ranked 11th (tied) nationally. It remains No. 1 in Illinois.
The UIC College of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice rose six spots to 11th in the country, and the nursing master’s degree tied for 22nd nationally and is the leader in Illinois.
Three specialty programs in the College of Nursing earned top-20 status: the psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner program, the family nurse practitioner program and the midwifery program.
The School of Public Health’s health policy management program rose nine spots to 16th, a specialty program in social behavior tied for 21st, the graduate-level program tied at 22nd.
In the College of Applied Health Sciences, the occupational therapy program ranked fifth in the country.
Points of Pride: Top Rankings
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# 10 The UIC College of Pharmacy is ranked at #15 nationally for graduate pharmacy programs.
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# 1 The College of Pharmacy is the top-ranked pharmacy school in Illinois.
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# 7 The Ophthalmology program at UIC is ranked #7 for NIH research funding.
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# 8 The Biomedical Engineering program at UIC is ranked #8 for NIH research funding.
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# 3 The Health Information Management program and RN to BSN completion program are among UIC online programs ranked at #3 nationally.
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# 15 The Biochemistry program at UIC is ranked #15 for NIH research funding.
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# 3 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of College of Nursing RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Program
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# 11 Nationally Ranked Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
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# 16 Nationally Ranked Graduate Program in Public Health
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# 3 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of College of Applied Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program
