The UIC College of Nursing is consistently recognized as one of the top ten nursing programs in the United States. The Rockford Regional Program offers graduate education to nurses who want to develop advanced practice roles. The roles are Clinical Nurse Specialist, which uses advanced information within a specialty to manage complex health problems, and the Nurse Practitioner, which emphasizes the comprehensive care of patients as well as the ability to manage the complex problems addressed by the specialty.

There are several in-residence faculty at the Rockford regional site who are available for teaching and academic and research advisement. Students also have access to a variety of Chicago faculty who travel or teleconference to Rockford. Clinical experiences are provided through a broad array of facilities in the Rockford area and supervised by a variety of outstanding advanced clinicians.