2 WHNP Programs in Illinois (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Interested in becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners whose clinical specialty is women’s health are in high demand throughout the Prairie State: Job listings for WHNPs are expected to rise more than 40 percent in the next 10 years. As a graduate of one of the women's health nurse practitioner programs in Illinois, you’ll earn an average salary of $121,190. WHNPs work in various healthcare settings, including community clinics, hospitals, and private OB/GYN practices. You can join this exciting healthcare career. Get started by looking through this list of the 2 best WHNP programs in Illinois for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 2 WHNP PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
1. University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago
About the School: The University of Illinois at Chicago is home to some of the best WHNP programs in Illinois. So, if you are looking at launching your career as a WHNP in the Prairie State, then here, you can enroll in its BSN to DNP or post-DNP certificate program, depending on your previous nursing degree.
No matter the program you enter, you will be nurtured in a supportive learning environment where you will obtain the skills you need to excel. So, when it comes to acquiring the highest level of clinical skills, the college ensures you are provided with the best clinical placements and preceptors. Asides from this, real-world clinical practice is combined with excellent simulations at the college’s lab, one of the largest and best simulation labs in the country. As a graduate, you will be equipped with a broad skillset to practice in a variety of women’s health practice settings.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: One of the high-ranked WHNP DNP programs in the nation, this DNP program has consistently received acclaim from the U.S. News & World Report. With a hybrid curriculum, you will train through a fine balance of online and on-campus sessions. Through a rigorous coursework, the college prepares you to care for the female gender, covering the full spectrum of health, from wellness, to reproduction, from prenatal, and postpartum care to menopause. As a DNP student, you will achieve the highest level of clinical skills to be able to transform health within your population focus.
To graduate, you require completing 87 credits and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice. You will learn about epidemiology, & statistics for evidence-based practice, implementation of evidence-based practice, leadership, interprofessional collaboration and health equity. The coursework also trains you in healthcare informatics and financial planning for healthcare programs. To gain proficiency in the advanced practice of women’s health nursing, you will take courses in pharmacotherapeutics, health assessment, pathophysiology, health promotion and the biological basis for women’s health. The DNP coursework ends with a DNP project where you will apply the newly acquired theoretical knowledge to practice.
BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Depending on whether you choose the full-time or part-time coursework, the amount of time required to complete this WHNP program in Illinois can be anywhere from two to six years.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To qualify for this program, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Also, an active RN license is required. In case your GPA is below the prescribed limit, you must submit a GRE score.
Post-DNP Certificate Program Details: Are you aspiring to specialize in the field of women’s health? If so, this post-DNP certificate program may be what you have been looking for. To graduate, you must earn a minimum of 35 credits and 675 clinical hours. If you are not an APRN, you may require additional courses in pharmacotherapeutics, health assessment, pathophysiology, and policy implications. The coursework is offered through a blended hybrid format, combining online and on-campus classes.
Post-DNP Certificate Program Length: If taken on a full-time basis, most students complete this program within one year.
Post-DNP Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this certificate program, you must have a DNP with a valid RN license. If you are an APRN, then you must also possess an active APRN license.
Interesting Highlights For Potential University of Illinois at Chicago WHNP Students
• UIC reports an excellent pass rate on the WHNP certification exam. This is an indication of the thorough preparedness you can expect at this women’s health nurse practitioner program in Illinois, not only for successfully passing the exam but also for your career as a certified WHNP.• To help you kickstart your career, the college actively gets involved by organizing job fairs, prepping you up for interviews, and offering career support through its Career Resource Center.
• The college offers several scholarships which eligible WHNP students can avail of. You can also apply for financial aid through the college’s financial aid office.
• To prepare students with a global perspective, the college offers global experiences, one of which is a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) elective course in Kigali Rwanda.
2. Loyola University of Chicago - Chicago
About the School: The Loyola University of Chicago also offers some of the best women’s health nurse practitioner programs in Illinois. By offering a close-knit environment, the college caters to individual learning needs. With an experience of 85 years, the college has ever since trained competent nursing professionals who are serving the varied health care needs of the state’s diverse populations. To advance your nursing career in the field of women’s health, the college offers two pathways, a BSN to DNP and a post-graduate certificate program.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP WHNP program at Loyola is ideal for registered nurses who desire a terminal nursing degree. The 70-credit curriculum comprises core courses, APRN courses, WHNP courses, and clinical practicums.
You start the program by strengthening your knowledge in core topics, including research for advanced clinical practice, population-focused health, social justice, leadership, health care policy and statistics for health and biological sciences. The APRN courses prepare you for advanced nursing practice by teaching you advanced concepts in community health, health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology and basic diagnostics. The women’s health courses make you proficient in reproductive health, common women’s health problems, childbearing and complex health problems.
BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Most students complete this BSN-to-DNP program within three years. If you enroll part-time, the length of this WHNP program in Illinois will depend on the courses you take each semester.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for this BSN-to-DNP program, you must be a registered nurse, holding a baccalaureate degree. The college follows a competitive admission process so ensure you highlight every aspect of your application that testifies to your ability to become a successful WHNP. To fulfill the admission requirements, be prepared to submit your official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. Also, you must have a current RN license and your GPA must not be below 3.0. Further, the college requires you to have completed at least 2000 hours of clinical experience before the start of your rotations.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: By completing this post-graduate certificate, you will develop specialized skills in the healthcare of women. This women’s health nurse practitioner program in Illinois offers an individualized plan of study based on the previously completed coursework. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam for the WHNP certification.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Length: The length of the program will depend on the number of courses you need to take.
Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: To apply, you must be either an MSN or DNP-prepared nurse. You must hold an active RN license. Also, your graduate nursing degree must be from an accredited school.
Interesting Highlights For Potential Loyola University of Chicago WHNP Students
• Loyola’s WHNP school maintains partnerships with several healthcare organizations in Chicago. As a student, this will prove beneficial in exploring internship and employment opportunities.• The college offers several financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make your WHNP education affordable. Also, ensure you fill out your FAFSA application through the college’s website.
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