university of kentucky college essay requirements

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How to Write the University of Kentucky Essays 2020-2021

University of Kentucky is a public research institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. It prides itself on being one of only eight institutions in the US with the full complement of liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural, and medical colleges on one contiguous campus. UK has a total enrollment of around 30,500 and its acceptance rate hovers around 90%.

University of Kentucky applicants have the choice of applying via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or a UK-specific application. Students applying to the Lewis Honors College or the UK’s competitive academic scholarships must use either the University of Kentucky-specific application or the Common Application, and respond to an additional prompt. Want to know your chances at University of Kentucky? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what the University of Kentucky will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering UK needs to know.

University of Kentucky Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants, think of a time when you were dealing with a challenge (personal, academic, work related). how did you handle that did you seek support and if so who did you seek support from (250-650 words), for lewis honors college and competitive scholarship applicants only.

Who are three people that you feel have made a significant impact on the world in the last 100 years? Who are they and why did you select them? How would you want them to be recognized or memorialized (for example, with a day, a celebration, or a monument, etc.)? 

For All Applicants

This prompt asks you to address your self-awareness and response to adversity. The challenge you choose to discuss does not have to be something large-scale or grand to effectively answer the prompt. Instead, your topic should allow you to fully answer the questions posed. Try to choose a time when you faced a unique challenge or reacted in a way that brought out your strengths; avoid hackneyed topics about grades or losing a sports game.

For example, an essay that discusses struggling to get a good grade in calculus would not be as effective as an essay that focuses on what it took to develop the mental fortitude to become a runner despite being highly unathletic. A challenging class is simply too common of an experience, and is not considered a substantial enough challenge If you do choose an academic topic, be sure that it is distinctive and significant enough to give admissions a better picture of who you are. For more tips, check out Collegevine’s guide to writing to an overcoming challenges prompt .

Tone is crucial in answering this question. This prompt asks you to reflect on a challenge, so do not be afraid to admit that you struggled at first. Humility is key to successful self-reflection. However, your tone should also not be overly self-critical – resilience is an equally important value. 

So if you were to write about going from hating running to becoming a varsity runner, you could begin with descriptions of your thoughts mid-race before you came to appreciate running. “A mile in and my breath grew ragged; my feet dragged as if I were wearing shoes made of lead. ‘I just can’t wait to finish the season and be done with running forever,’ I thought as I stared at the runner in front of me.”

The first portion of this prompt asks how you handled your challenge. You do not need to focus on only one solution if you relied on multiple mechanisms. Often, there isn’t just one magic solution to our problems. However, you should provide clear methods that you used to address your challenge. 

For example, saying you had a change of heart and suddenly loved running does not explain how you handled the problem in enough detail. What were your methods? Were other people involved in the change? Who were they and how did they help you? Go through the concrete steps and internal processes that led you to a resolution.

Support systems — both peer and faculty-based — will become crucial during your college years. Success during a challenge can largely depend on your ability to know where and when to ask for help. This prompt asks you to explain how you use the support systems in your life. Your challenge should at least be partially addressed by an effective use of your support system. Let’s return to the running example. In that case, you could discuss how you were inspired by an older teammate, or how your coach became a mentor.

Note that your support systems do not need to be official organizations or people in authority. Your friends and family can also serve as a support system. Your support system also doesn’t need to provide you with something tangible, so long as they can provide you with emotional support or good advice.  

Who are three people that you feel have made a significant impact on the world in the last 100 years? Who are they and why did you select them? How would you want them to be recognized or memorialized (for example, with a day, a celebration, or a monument, etc.)? (500 words)

Before you begin to consider your response to these questions, it would be beneficial to briefly assess what Lewis Honors College stands for and why you would like to attend this program (if applicable). If you are applying to Lewis Honors College, you should be prepared to demonstrate your commitment to the College’s values, either directly or indirectly, in your response to this essay prompt. Lewis Honors College’s mission is “to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity.” As you can see, leadership is one of the College’s foremost values, and the admissions office wants to understand how you think about leadership and who has been a model of leadership to you.

Another related aspect of the prompt is your values. The prompt itself is asking you to consider who and what you value (within leadership), and then come up with three people who represent those values from the last century. What do you consider a “significant impact”? Is it scientific, humanitarian, athletic, intellectual, political, artistic? 

You should select people whose contributions span a few different areas you value or are interested in. The people you choose do not have to be universally popular or known; the only requirement is that they have made a significant impact on the world in your view. For example, if you’re scientifically inclined, you might choose Rosalind Franklin, the chemist who discovered that DNA has a double helix structure. Or maybe you believe the Percy Jackson series changed the world, in which case you might choose Rick Riordan. As long as the person represented or directly created change on a global scale in the past century (and you can back it up), they’re a valid choice.

This prompt then goes a step further by asking you to discuss how you would choose to commemorate each person. In last year’s honors prompt, applicants were asked to create a “new Mount Rushmore” with four different individuals. This year’s prompt challenges you to think critically about what memorialization means and come up with your own means of recognizing your chosen figures. There are a few suggestions embedded in the prompt – a day, a celebration, or a monument – but don’t feel like you must choose one of these options. Think creatively: what is the best way to remember your chosen figures? Here are a few ideas:

• Time – Is this person best remembered by setting aside time? Perhaps a moment of silence, a day, a week, or a month dedicated to remembrance of this figure. Is there a specific time (in the day or year) during which this person has special significance?
• Object – Is this figure best remembered with a permanent object? For example, a monument, a museum, or a cenotaph. Is there something about this person’s contribution that can be permanently displayed?
• Event – Is this person best represented by a social act or gathering in their name? Possibly a celebration, a vigil, a ritual, or a festival. Is there something about this person’s achievement or path to re-enact, enjoy, or grieve in conjunction with others?

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University of Kentucky Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are University of Kentucky's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of Kentucky and build a strong application.

School location: Lexington, KY

This school is also known as: UK

Admissions Rate: 94.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of Kentucky is 94.9% . For every 100 applicants, 95 are admitted.

This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

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Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

University of Kentucky GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.61

The average GPA at University of Kentucky is 3.61 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.61, University of Kentucky requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of Kentucky hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of Kentucky will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

University of Kentucky SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1200

The average SAT score composite at University of Kentucky is a 1200 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of Kentucky Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of Kentucky SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1080, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1280. In other words, a 1080 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1280 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of Kentucky has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that University of Kentucky requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that University of Kentucky will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1080, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

University of Kentucky ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of Kentucky likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 25

The average ACT score at University of Kentucky is 25. This score makes University of Kentucky Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 28.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 21 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to University of Kentucky, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 21.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of Kentucky considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

This school offers nearly open admissions, which means they give almost every student an offer of admission. To be safe, you should aim for a 1080 SAT or a 21 ACT or higher . If you can achieve this, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in the incoming class.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

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• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of Kentucky here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $50
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office August 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 7

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 15 Rolling, notification begins August 15
• Yes December 1 January 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 101 Lexington, KY 40506-0032
• Phone: (859) 257-9000 x9000
• Fax: (859) 257-3823
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

For the Honors College, there is an application deadline of December 1st and a separate essay you must complete on the application to UK. Additionally, merit scholarships are available. Most you are automatically considered for and some are automatic, but there are a few that require a separate application (which can be found on the UK general application) and a deadline of December 1st for consideration. Learn more at the scholarship page for incoming freshman.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of Kentucky, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of Kentucky.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of Kentucky. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of Kentucky, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of Kentucky, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of Kentucky is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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University of Kentucky Admissions

University of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 95%. Half the applicants admitted to University of Kentucky who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1070 and 1290 or an ACT score of 21 and 28. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges. The application deadline at University of Kentucky is Feb. 15.

Admissions officials at University of Kentucky consider a student's GPA a very important academic factor. An applicant's high school class rank and letters of recommendation, when available, are considered by admissions officials at University of Kentucky. To see additional academic factors along with other school data, learn more about College Compass .

University of Kentucky Admissions Stats

Will you get into university of kentucky , college admissions calculator.

Data provided by U.S. News College Compass Users.

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University of Kentucky Admissions Requirements

Admission interview

Neither required/recommended

Required Standardized Tests

Neither SAT nor ACT

SAT/ACT Scores Must Be Received By

UNLOCK WITH COMPASS

University of Kentucky Applications

Application Deadline

Early Decision Deadline

Common Application Accepted

Deadline for housing deposit

Entering Class Stats

Selectivity

Acceptance rate

Early Decision Acceptance Rate

SATs on 1600 scale

Transfer Students

Accepting applications

Fall, Spring, Summer

Minimum credits to apply

Minimum required college GPA

Guaranteed admission agreement URL

International Students

Separate Application Form Required

Conditional admission offered

Early decision or early action options available

Early action only

TOEFL (paper)

TOEFL (internet-based)

Michigan Test

Recommended

Advance deposit required

TOEFL accepted instead of SAT or ACT

Admissions FAQs

Does the university of kentucky require the sat or act.

No, the University of Kentucky does not require the SAT or ACT, but it considers submitted test scores in admissions decisions.

Do applicants need to submit a college essay or personal statement for the University of Kentucky?

Yes, prospective students should submit an application essay to the University of Kentucky – it’s very important in admission decisions.

What GPA do applicants need in order to be accepted into the University of Kentucky?

The average GPA of incoming freshmen at the University of Kentucky is 3.6.

Does the University of Kentucky accept students with average grades?

The University of Kentucky may accept students with average grades. The rigor of a prospective student’s secondary school record is very important in the admissions process, and the school is selective when considering applicants.

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Students must take one course from each of the areas listed below in order to complete the UK Core. A course taken to satisfy a requirement in one area of the UK Core cannot be used to satisfy a requirement in another area, even if a specific course is present in more  than one area (e.g., some courses are designed to meet the learning outcomes in more than one area).

*Some UK Core courses may be more than 3 credit hours

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Incoming Freshmen Scholarships

Fall 2024 freshmen.

Students whose completed admission applications were received by December 1 st  are being reviewed and identified to ensure that, considering this record-breaking enrollment year, the University of Kentucky is offering as many academic scholarships as possible, within the confines of our general scholarship fund/budget.  While most applicants have received information about their academic scholarship offer, we are continuing to review applications to make additional offers, when fiscally possible. 

The University of Kentucky offers renewable academic, competitive and selective scholarship opportunities for incoming first-time freshmen. Completed admission application and all supporting documents, including high school transcript, must be received as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2023 for scholarship consideration. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for academic scholarships. Combined test scores (superscore) are not considered. For all scholarships listed, students may receive only one award. 

The University of Kentucky is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. The University of Kentucky is a national leader in using extensive data assessment beyond test scores to evaluate students for scholarship awarding, including heavily weighing a student’s unweighted high school GPA. All eligible students who apply by the Early Action deadline of December 1, 2023, regardless of applying with or without an ACT/SAT test score, will be considered for academic scholarships. For fullest consideration, we urge students to apply as soon as possible and prior to December 1, 2023. For more information regarding our test optional for admission policy, visit  go.uky.edu/testoptional . 

Kentucky Residents

*Housing stipend of $10,000 per year is available for Singletary Scholars living on campus in a UK residence hall during the first two years of enrollment only. 

**Applicants for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar/School for the Arts/School for Entrepreneurs Presidential Scholarship must complete the competitive section of the admission application to have their application reviewed for this highly competitive scholarship as a limited number of scholarships will be offered. 

Non-Residents

Academic scholarships .

Students who meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2023, will be considered for academic scholarships. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for academic scholarships. No additional application is required. 

Competitive Scholarships 

Students must meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission, complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible but by no later than December 1, 2023, to have their application reviewed in this highly competitive program. A limited number of awards will be offered. Selected applicants may be invited to campus for interviews. Please note, these scholarships are highly competitive. The University of Kentucky received over 2,600 competitive scholarship applications for the 2023-24 incoming Freshmen class and awarded 50 Presidential scholarships and 25  Otis A. Singletary  scholarships. 

Selective Scholarships 

Students must have completed the programs listed, meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2023. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Provost Scholarship. No additional application is required. 

All scholarship offerings are subject to change each year.     

Additional Opportunities

William c. parker belonging scholarship .

The William C. Parker Scholarship Program (WCP) directly supports the  UK Strategic Plan  goal to bring together many people as one community with a broad range of lived experiences to create and sustain a community of inclusion, understanding and belonging. For more information, visit William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship .

College and Department Scholarships 

Several colleges and departments at UK administer their own scholarship programs. Students who have chosen an academic program are encouraged to contact their college/department regarding scholarship opportunities. Requirements vary. Some UK colleges are now utilizing ScholarshipUniverse for departmental scholarship applications, but please check with your respective college regarding their specific scholarship procedures and deadlines. Contact information and webpages for the various UK colleges can be found here .  

ScholarshipUniverse 

The University of Kentucky Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships is excited to offer  ScholarshipUniverse  as a resource for our students! 

ScholarshipUniverse (SU) is an online scholarship platform that matches students to relevant, vetted external scholarship opportunities, as well as internal scholarships offered by the university. Each external scholarship opportunity a student sees on SU has gone through an extensive vetting process to ensure the scholarship is offered through a reliable and authentic source. 

SU is available for currently enrolled UK students and admitted prospective students who have a linkblue account. Students can login to complete the student profile and search and apply for external and internal scholarship opportunities. The external scholarship opportunities are available through sources outside of the University of Kentucky. 

Some UK colleges are now utilizing ScholarshipUniverse for departmental scholarship applications, but please check with your respective college regarding their specific scholarship procedures and deadlines. Contact information and webpages for the various UK colleges can be found at  www.uky.edu/financialaid/college-departmental .  

Institutional awards are not guaranteed. All students are considered based on timing of application, meeting requirements for admission, and doing so by established deadlines. Institutional aid programs are evaluated each year and are provided based on the availability of funds. 

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How to Apply RN-BSN

Application deadlines, admission requirements.

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all college work.
• Students with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.49 may be provisionally admitted to the RN to BSN track with admission committee approval. Contact Tara Grana   at  [email protected]  for more information. 
• Student statement of academic and professional goals provided on Essay Questionnaire (sent by the College of Nursing after initial application with Undergraduate Admissions is processed). 
• A verified, clear and unencumbered license will be required at the time of application before being considered for admission.

How to apply

Apply to UK

• Select RN-BSN for your major choice.  Submit official transcripts as directed.  
• To get a transcript preliminarily reviewed for UK Core (general education) requirements, contact the transfer center .
• NOTE:  Admissions sends  completed  applications to the College of Nursing for review. A  completed  application includes an official transcript from all schools attended (even for one course) and the paid UK application fee.  Completed  applications received by the College of Nursing after the application deadline will not be considered, and the student will need to reapply for the next academic year. 

Out of State Students

The University of Kentucky works to provide distance learning courses and programs to students across the state of Kentucky, the country and abroad, but location matters when it comes to the availability of some courses and programs. Each state and territory has different requirements for distance learning. Out-of-state students who are interested in distance learning should read each section below and confirm that their  program of interest can be offered and/or lead to licensure or certification in their state or territory .

• State Authorization is a type of consumer protection regulated by states and territories. Institutions are required to obtain state authorization when they offer online courses or programs outside of their home state. Visit the  State Authorization by Program  section to learn which programs are authorized in each state.
• States may have additional requirements for programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. Learn which programs can lead to  licensure and certification in each state.
• Contact  Distance Learning  with questions or for more information.

Questions? Contact us.

Tara Grana Student Affairs Officer II

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• The application deadlines are March 15 for Summer 2024, July 15 for Fall 2024 and November 1 for Spring 2025.
• Select RN-BSN for your major choice.
• Submit official transcripts as directed.

Student Services : [email protected] 859-323-5108

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Doctorate of Social Work Admission

Home Academics DSW Program Doctorate of Social Work Admission

Application Materials

• Unofficial transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.
• Employment history (resume or vita)
• Personal statement
• Two reference letters with cover letter attached for each reference. Please exclude personal, pastoral and relative references. If you graduated within the past 5 years, you must provide at least one academic reference.

Personal Statement

The personal statement (no more than 5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font) should include the following:

• Articulate why you are pursuing a DSW versus a PhD?  Why now, at this stage in your career?  What concentration area are you interested in (i.e., administration and leadership, clinical social work, or military behavioral health)?  What impact do you expect on your career and on social work practice?
• Describe salient points of your practice experience, your current area of practice expertise and/or interest, and how they will support your education as an advanced practitioner. 
• Identify characteristics, circumstances, or challenges that could enhance or limit your success in pursuing a DSW.
• Specify a practice problem or challenge that you would like to focus on as part of the DSW program curriculum.  Your discussion should demonstrate critical thinking about social work practice, a basic understanding of the practice problem or challenge identified and reflect an interest in improving practice.

Your personal statement serves as a writing sample and should demonstrate critical thinking, graduate-level writing, and be formatted in APA style, including a title page and reference section (not included in the 5-page limit).

Admissions Requirements

• Applicants should hold a Master of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) with a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 (above a 3.5 is preferred).
• Additionally, students should have sufficient information technology skills to be successful in an online doctoral program.
• Finally, a minimum of two years social work/human service practice experience (preferably post-MSW) is strongly encouraged.

Application Deadlines

• Priority Deadline – March 1, 2024
• Deadline – April 15, 2024
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Lewis Honors College

By the numbers, mission in action.

Explore Your Purpose

Honors advisors and the Center for Personal Development counselors partner with students in their exploration of purpose to cultivate self-awareness, well-being, and career readiness.

Develop Intellectually

Honors at Kentucky has a long and proud history, dating back to 1958, and thousands of students have passed through our program, exploring themselves and the boundaries of thought with outstanding faculty.

Lead With Integrity

Providing leadership development opportunities enables students to fulfill their experiential credit while bolstering lifelong skills to apply as a graduate student or employee.

Participating in Honors throughout my undergraduate career has helped me maintain a holistic education. I am interested in science and medicine in my career and having Honors classes that address the role of the humanities in these fields has really broadened my perspective.

Why Honors?

Honors Residential Experience

Center for Personal Development

Internship, Research, Education Abroad, Service-Learning Opportunities

Dedicated Honors Faculty

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Interested in learning more.

News and Events

Plant a tree with 2023 Great Teacher Dr. Kenton Sena

Looking for ways to spend time outdoors while contributing to the environment? Join 2023 Great Teacher Dr. Kenton Sena for one of following tree-planting opportunities in Lexington: 

Meet Kate Johnson, the inspiration for this year's One Day for UK

To support One Day for UK, the Lewis Honors College is highlighting the Kate Johnson Scholarship Fund. Meet the inspiration behind the fund which is celebrating its 20th year since its inception – former Honors advisor Kate Johnson.

Lewis Honors College engineering student 'on track' to achieve roller coaster design dreams

Every year, millions of amusement park patrons from coast to coast and around the world stand in line — often for hours under a scorching sun — to experience the brief adrenaline-fueled, stomach-flipping thrills of roller coasters. For most, the exhilaration dissipates when they exit the wooden or steel-tracked car. For others, it marks the genesis of a lifelong career as it did for Lewis Honors College student Brysen Honeycutt.

Lewis Colloquium Featuring Jonathan Marks

Apr 18, 5:00 pm - Apr 18, 6:30 pm

Lewis Scholars Lounge 420 Hilltop Ave, Lexington, KY

Undergraduate Research Showcase

Apr 24, 12:00 pm - Apr 24, 5:00 pm

Gatton Student Center Ballroom 160 Ave of Champions

Honor the Balance: Yoga

Apr 25, 4:00 pm - Apr 25, 5:30 pm

Johnson Center White Room 430 Complex Dr

Lewis Honors College University of Kentucky Lewis Hall, 420 Hilltop Avenue Lexington, KY 40508 Phone: 859-257-3111

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Are you interested in dental school?

Click on an area below for details. 

Office of Admissions Contacts

Contact me for: Admissions-related questions & Scheduling a tour of UKCD

Don Brown , Financial Aid Coordinator

Contact me for: Information on applying for scholarships & Financial Aid

Melissa Shelton , Assistant Director of Admissions

Contact me for: Interview Candidate-related questions

Pre-Dental Curriculum

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry seeks applicants who are well educated in the liberal arts and sciences. Individuals are encouraged to pursue baccalaureate studies that reflect their unique abilities and interests. However, it should be noted that a solid foundation in the biological and natural sciences is an integral part of any sound liberal arts and sciences education. The traditional pre-health professions curriculum, heavily focused on the sciences, should be pursued only if that is the student's desire. 

The college is convinced that certain course work on the undergraduate level is necessary for quality performance in dental school. Therefore, the following courses are required for matriculating students:

• Two semesters or three quarters of biology with laboratories;
• Two semesters or three quarters of general chemistry with laboratories;
• Two semesters or three quarters of organic chemistry with laboratories;
• One semester or two quarters of general physics with laboratory;
• Two semesters or three quarters of English with emphasis on communications;
• One semester or two quarters of microbiology; and
• One semester or two quarters of biochemistry.

All prerequisite coursework must be taken at a regionally accredited US institution and must be completed by matriculation in July. It is the sole responsibility of admitted applicants to ensure completion of prerequisite coursework prior to matriculation into the DMD program. An offer of admission can be rescinded if prerequisite coursework has not been completed within the stated timeline.

UKCD will accept Pass/Fail in place of a letter/numerical grade for any pre-requisite courses completed during the Spring 2020 and/or Summer 2020 semesters. Additionally, pre-requisite courses completed during Spring 2020 and/or Summer 2020 in an online format will be accepted. Courses completed in Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and future semesters should be taken for a letter grade. Please contact our office at [email protected] with any concerns. 

Applicants are encouraged to pursue a well-rounded curriculum including courses both in the sciences and the humanities. Applicants are encouraged to take additional basic science courses. Examples of courses that will be helpful include anatomy (human), biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, histology, immunology, molecular biology, and physiology (animal and/or human) but only after degree requirements have been completed. An applicant’s curriculum will be enriched if it also includes courses in the social sciences, history, literature, economics, philosophy, and psychology.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

We encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible, even without a DAT score, as this will allow a preliminary review of the application. When this applies, please upload your unofficial score report into your AADSAS account and contact [email protected] with notification this has been completed. 

Commitment to Service

As a caring attitude is central to the practice of dentistry, applicants should demonstrate a commitment to service , more specifically direct service, and a desire to help others. Applicants may wish to highlight volunteer and service activities, including tutoring, assisting seniors, volunteer EMT, coaching youth sports, mentoring, etc. The college seeks to assemble a student body that includes individuals from a wide range of urban, rural, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Letters of Evaluation

Two letters written by science faculty are required. These faculty should have served as an applicant's course instructor, and can attest to course commitment, study strategies, and any additional insights. A committee letter from an institution, instead of individual letters, will also satisfy the science letter requirement.

A third letter must be provided from a dentist the applicant has shadowed.

Students may also choose to have a fourth letter submitted by other individuals who can share insights about the applicant's achievements, personal qualities, potential for success in a rigorous curriculum, and motivation for a career in dentistry. Research Mentors/Professors, who have not had the applicant in a classroom setting, should be counted as the fourth letter.

Only in exceptional circumstances will an additional letter be accepted by submitting directly to the admissions office. 

Technical Aptitude

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry will consider for admission any applicant who demonstrates the ability to perform or to learn to perform essential technical functions. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability, but someone with questions about these technical requirements is strongly encouraged to discuss the issue with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs. If appropriate, and upon the request of the applicant, student or faculty, reasonable accommodations for a disability will be provided. View the college's Technical Standards policy .

Shadowing & Observation 

As affirmation that an applicant has spent time in the dental profession and has an understanding and desire to pursue dentistry as a career, a minimum number of observation hours is required. UKCD is continuing to require at least 50 hours of dental shadowing this year. The majority of shadowing hours should come from a general dentistry environment, supplemented by specialty practice hours. 

Students from medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth, who intend to pursue a career as a dentist and hope to return to their home county or similar underserved area of Kentucky to practice, should consider the UK Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) . The program offers a unique and exciting opportunity for student to experience a college environment and help prepare students for the dental school admissions process. 

UK Pre-Dental Society

The Pre-dental Society is for students who are on a pre-dental track or are interested in learning more about dentistry. Learn more on their Facebook page here .

Stay Connected with us!

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Selective Majors and Programs

Admission for freshman applicants is based on a holistic review including high school grades, national college admission test results (if submitted), successful completion of the pre-college curriculum and essay.

Most undergraduate majors at UK permit a student to be directly admitted to their program (or with a pre-major designation) as part of the general undergraduate admission process. However, some colleges and programs at UK require an admission process separate from general undergraduate admission to the University.   If an applicant has chosen a selective major the applicant may be placed into an alternate major until a final decision is made. 

These selective admission majors and programs may require some combination of the following:

• Standardized test scores and/or higher GPAs than those required for general admission, including meeting the minimum Kentucky statewide academic readiness requirements for Reading, Writing and Math .  Statewide academic readiness requirements can be achieved by submitting ACT or SAT scores,  or a review of core high school subjects and grades by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
• A separate application after being admitted for general admission.
• A portfolio of past work related to the requested field.
• On-campus or video interviews.
• Pursuant to the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education (13 KAR 2:020) Guidelines for Admission to state-supported postsecondary education, applicants admitted with a cumulative unweighted high school GPA between 2.00-2.49 on a 4.0 scale will be required to enter into a Wildcat Success Plan (learning contract) with the University of Kentucky prior to enrollment.

Colleges with Selective Majors

The following colleges have majors and programs that are considered selective.  Students can learn more about any individual admission requirements for their program of interest by visiting the sites below.

Gatton College of Business and Economics

College of Design

College of Engineering

College of Fine Arts

College of Health Sciences

Martin School of Public Policy

College of Nursing

College of Public Health

College of Social Work

• BBA Public Accounting
• BBA General Business
• BBA Finance
• BBA Management
• BBA Marketing
• BBA Risk Management & Insurance
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Certificate in Accounting
• Certificate in Banking & Financial Services
• Certificate in Financial Literacy
• Certificate in Financial Technology & Cybercrime
• Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management
• Graduate Certificate in Functions of Business
• BS Child & Family Studies – Child Development
• Certificate in Early Childhood Director
• Certificate in Family Services
• Certificate in Infant/Toddler Care and Education
• BA Communication Studies
• Certificate in Communication Studies
• Certificate in Dispute Resolution
• Certificate in Communication in the Workplace
• MS Computer Science
• Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Data Science
• Certificate in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
• Certificate in Game Design
• AA Police Studies
• BS Corrections & Juvenile Justice Studies
• BS Criminal Justice
• BS Police Studies
• MS Criminal Justice Policy & Leadership
• Certificate in Correctional Intervention Strategies
• Certificate in Juvenile Justice
• BS in Elementary Education
• MAEd Master of Arts in Education
• MAT Master of Arts in Teaching
• EdS Specialist in Education
• AS Paramedicine
• BS Emergency Medical Care — Emergency Services Administration
• BS Emergency Medical Care — Fire Service
• BS Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation
• BS Fire Protection Administration
• BS Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology
• Certificate in Industrial Fire Protection
• AA General Studies
• BA General Studies
• BS Health Services Administration
• BS Homeland Security
• MS Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• Certificate in Homeland Security
• Certificate in Security Management
• BS Global Hospitality and Tourism
• Undergraduate Certificate in Gastronomic Tourism
• Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Hospitality
• MS Instructional Design & Learning Technology
• Graduate Certificate in Online Learning Design
• Graduate Certificate in User Experience Design
• MS Nursing – Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner
• MS Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• DNP Post-MSN DNP
• Post-MSN Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
• Post-MSN Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• BS Occupational Safety
• MS in Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• Graduate Certificate Construction Safety
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber & Security Management
• Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience
• Graduate Certificate Healthcare Safety
• Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety
• Graduate Certificate in Safety Leadership & Management
• Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Safety & Security
• Certificate in Social Intelligence & Leadership
• Bachelor’s to OTD
• Master’s to OTD
• AAS Paralegal Studies
• BA Paralegal Science
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Science
• BA Political Science
• BS Psychology
• Certificate in Veterans Studies
• MS Psychology-Applied Behavior Analysis
• MS Industrial Organizational Psychology
• Graduate Certificate in Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis
• MPA Public Administration
• Certificate in Community Development
• Certificate in Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience
• Certificate in Applied Policy
• Certificate in Non-Profit Management
• Master of Public Health – Health Promotion
• BSW Social Work
• MSW Social Work
• Certificate in Addictions Intervention
• Certificate in Child & Family Services
• Certificate in Leadership & Management
• Certificate in Mental Health
• Certificate in Social Advocacy & Justice
• BS Sport Management
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• BBA Risk Management & Insurance
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• BS Corrections & Juvenile Justice Studies
• MS Criminal Justice Policy & Leadership
• BS Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation
• BS Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology
• MS Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• MS Instructional Design & Learning Technology
• MS in Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber & Security Management
• Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience
• Graduate Certificate in Safety Leadership & Management
• Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Safety & Security
• Certificate in Social Intelligence & Leadership
• Certificate in Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience
• Certificate in Child & Family Services
• Certificate in Leadership & Management
• Certificate in Social Advocacy & Justice

Learn What It Takes to Advance Your Career

Undergraduate admission requirements apply to all EKU associate, bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate and undergraduate certificate programs.

Graduate admission requirements apply to all EKU master’s, doctoral and graduate certificate programs.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

First-time freshman admission requirements.

A student is considered a freshman at EKU, when he or she has: no previous college coursework, or completed college coursework prior to high school graduation, or earned 23 hours or fewer college credits since high school graduation. Below are the requirements for admission to the University as a first-time freshman:

• Standard Admission: high school cumulative GPA (unweighted): 2.50 or higher
• Success First Admission: high school cumulative GPA (unweighted): 2.00-2.49
• All students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

While test scores are not required for admissions purposes, students are encouraged to submit test scores for proper course placement in English and mathematics courses.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

A transfer student has earned 23 or fewer hours of college work since high school graduation or has earned 24 or more semester hours at another institution.

The scholastic requirement for admission as a transfer student is a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must be in good academic and financial standing at their previous institution.

Students who have earned 23 hours or fewer of college credits after high school graduation must also provide a final high school transcript and meet the requirements for incoming freshmen. To be admitted as a transfer student, you must submit a final official transcript from each institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education you have attended.

Note: transcripts must be sent from the student’s institution to EKU’s Office of Admissions. Hand-carried transcripts will not be accepted.

Students are considered international applicants if they are not citizens of the United States.

To apply as a freshman students should submit a fully evaluated, complete secondary school record reflecting a cumulative GPA equivalent to 2.5 higher.

Students applying as transfer students must have a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students should submit official transcripts for all college-level coursework.* Students with less than 24 credit hours must also submit a fully evaluated, complete secondary school record.

Additionally, for standard admission, all international students must submit a valid copy of their passport and demonstrate English language proficiency. Students may demonstrate proficiency through one of the following:

• Credit for English 101 and 102 from an accredited U.S. college or university with a grade of “C” or better 
• TOEFL – 530 paper based, 71 Internet based, or 195 by computer with no band score below a 16
• IELTS – 6.0 overall band score with 5.0 or above in every subject/skill category.
• Duolingo English Test – 95 or higher.
• Japanese students may submit the EIKEN test with a passing score of Pre-1.
• ACT English 18 and ACT Reading 20
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing 510

Countries Exempt from the English Language Requirement:

• New Zealand
• Canada (Except Quebec)
• Commonwealth Caribbean – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago

*For college-level coursework taken outside the U.S., transcripts must be sent to ECE or Josef Silney & Associates for evaluation. Please choose to have a course-by-course evaluation completed.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

International students.

Students are considered international applicants if they are not citizens of the United States. Please check with your enrollment advisor to confirm your program of interest accepts international students before applying.

In addition to the program-specific requirements, international students must also submit the following:

• A valid copy of passport with full name clearly visible
• A degree equivalent to the four-year baccalaureate degree awarded by U.S. universities. Foreign credentials must be evaluated by a NACES member and include a record of all degrees earned, detail of all subjects taken, grades obtained and GPA. Uncertified copies will not be accepted.
• TOEFL – 550 paper based, 79 internet based or 213 by computer
• IELTS – 6.5 overall band score with a minimum score of 5.0 on every subject/skill category
• Duolingo – Score of 95

*International applicants are exempt from demonstrating English language proficiency if they have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution; or one of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Leone, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, the Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zimbabwe

Business (MBA)- Master's

The application requirements for applicants to the online MBA program are as follows

• Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited program with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75

Admission is competitive. Selection is based on careful consideration of all application materials, including but not limited to:

• Academic transcripts
• The applicant’s statement of personal & professional objectives
• Two required professional references
• Professional work experience as reflected on your resume

Computer Science - Master's

The admissions requirements for applicants to the M.S. Computer Science program are as follows:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 overall, or 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of the baccalaureate program.
• Satisfactory scores on GRE or GMAT*. The minimum satisfactory GRE scores are 149 points of Quantitative. The minimum satisfactory GMAT scores are 37 points of Quantitative.
• A bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. degree in science, technology, engineering or math with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• An undergraduate precalculus course or equivalent mathematics background.
• At least a “C” in CSC 190 and 191 or equivalent courses. (Requirement will be waived for students with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from an accredited institution. Requirement may be waived for students with a related degree whose transcript demonstrates equivalent course competencies.)

* Requirement can be waived for students who complete one of CSC 730, 815, 831 and 834 with at least a “B”.

Criminal Justice, Policy & Leadership — Master’s

Those meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply for admission to EKU’s master’s degree program in Criminal Justice, Policy & Leadership. Applicants must:

• Be a graduate of an accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree
• Possess an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 overall or in the last 60 hours of the bachelor’s program
• Take the Graduate Record Examination* (GRE), achieving a score of 146 or above on the Verbal, 140 or above on the Quantitative and 4.0 or above on the Analytical Writing portions of the exam
• have two persons qualified to assess their potential for graduate work submit letters of recommendation

NOTE: Applicants who do not meet these GPA or GRE requirements, but who otherwise demonstrate promise for successful graduate study, may be granted probationary admission, but such applicants must comply with all requirements of the Graduate School regarding probationary admission.

*Applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are not required to submit GRE scores. If you have completed a master’s degree and wish to waive the GRE requirement and/or transfer any of the courses to the Criminal Justice, Policy and Leadership graduate program, you must have official transcripts from the degree-granting institution submitted directly to EKU. Follow the instructions given in Step 5 of the application process.

Education (MAED) — Master’s

For admission to all MAEd program options the student must:

• Meet the requirements of the Graduate School
• Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or a 3.25 in the last 60 hours completed or have a verbal score of 150 and a qualitative score of 140 on the GRE or have a score of 389 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)*

Specific MAEd programs may require additional admission criteria. For more information, please contact an enrollment advisor .

*Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA’s of 3.0 or higher, or 3.25 or higher in their last 60 hours of undergraduate work are exempt from the GRE/MAT requirement.

Education (MAT) — Master’s

All coursework in the MAT professional core is 100% online.  Most concentration option coursework is also 100% online or offered in hybrid format to limit evening coursework.  At most, MAT students in secondary and P-12 concentrations may have up to three courses that are not 100% online.  All coursework for elementary and IECE are 100% online.  Candidates are required to complete clinical hours at an assigned public school during school hours.

Candidates seeking admission to an initial licensure MAT program must complete the following:

• Submit an online application to the  Graduate School  indicating a bachelor’s degree including all official transcripts from accredited colleges attended except Eastern Kentucky University.
• Provide evidence of the following prior to being accepted into the program:  A bachelor’s or master’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale OR a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last sixty (60) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. (EPSB regulation 16 KAR 5:020 requires a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework.)
• Must successfully complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE): Reading (156), Writing (162), Mathematics (150) exams OR Graduate Record Exam: Verbal Reasoning (150), Quantitative Reasoning (143), and Analytical Writing (4.0). Scores are good for five (5) years from the test date.   Students who do not have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or 3.25 in the last 60 hours must complete the GRE to meet the Graduate School Entrance Exam requirement.
• Undergraduate Major (or equivalent) in the field in which certification is being sought (only for secondary candidates; others are reviewed for appropriate course content).
• Passing  PRAXIS II content exam scores in the desired certification area with the exception of music. Some secondary and P-12 certification areas require TWO content exams.  Middle School certification applicants must pass  at least ONE  of the TWO required Praxis II content exams upon admission.  IECE and Elementary do not require the Praxis II content exam for admission.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE)exam series. BE SURE to request that your Praxis CASE and Praxis II scores be sent to EKU -CODE 1200

Submit your documents to the Alternative Certification Specialist, Ms. Karen Dickens by email to  [email protected] :

• A professional resume
• An autobiography documenting relevant life/work/educational experience
• Three letters of reference
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration
• ESSAY #2 – In an essay (3-4 pages), describe how you will practice critical thinking, creativity, positive communication and collaboration in your future teaching career.
• Verified Credentials Background check – Instructions on this webpage –  Verified Credentials
• Complete an interview with the Master of Arts in Teaching admission committee
• Candidates must complete and sign a  Candidate Statement of Commitment Regarding Dispositions form . (Will be completed during the admission interview.)
• Candidates must complete and sign a “Personal and Professional Fitness Declaration” form. This process includes a review of the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel established in  16 KAR1:020 . (Will be completed during the admission interview.) NOTE: Based upon applicant disclosure, an interview by the Professional Education Admission Committee may be required.

Ms. Karen Dickens, Alternative Certification Specialist Bert Combs 425 521 Lancaster Avenue Richmond, KY 40475 [email protected]

For advising questions, please contact: Dr. Julie Rutland, MAT Program Coordinator [email protected]  or 859-622-1043

In addition, candidates seeking Option 6 Alternative Route:

• Successfully complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE): Reading (156), Writing (162), Mathematics (150) exams OR Graduate Record Exam: Verbal Reasoning (150), Quantitative Reasoning (143), and Analytical Writing (4.0). Scores are good for five (5) years from the test date.
• Successfully complete the Praxis II content exam for the content area of MAT concentration major.  See ets.org for test code list for Kentucky and pass scores.

In addition to meeting the above admission criteria, Option 6 candidates must provide a letter from their school district indicating that they have been hired or will be hired pending processing of the TC-TP. A mentoring plan will be developed once the candidate has been admitted and is in receipt of an employment letter. Mentoring plan requires 10 hours of direct observation from a University Mentor and participation from the candidate’s district through a district assigned mentor who will complete 5 hours of direct observation and support. Mentoring Plan is verified by candidate, University Mentor and District Mentor.

Instructional Design and Learning Technology - Master's

Applicants for admission to the Master of Instructional Design and Learning Technology program must:

• Meet all admission requirements of the Graduate School
• Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree
• Have a 2.5 overall undergraduate GPA. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement for admission must submit official GRE scores to be considered for probationary admission
• Two letters of recommendation
• A letter of intent explaining why he/she wants to pursue this degree

International Students: International students, please see application/admission instructions at: https://gradschool.eku.edu/Intl_students

Nursing (DNP) — Doctorate

Those meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply for admission to EKU’s DNP program. Applicants must:

• Have a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
• Have an RN license from an approved state that is free and unrestricted, meaning that it has not been subject to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance nor had any type of complaint filed against it
• Have a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• If applicable, APRN license from an approved state that is free and unrestricted, meaning that it has not been subject to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance nor had any type of complaint filed against it
• The applicant’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Statement
• Three required professional references
• Professional work experience.

In addition to the criteria listed, an interview may be requested. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Statement will be evaluated for writing skills and content, both of which are heavily weighted in the admission process.

Nursing — Master’s

Those meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply for admission to EKU’s MSN programs. Applicants must:

• Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Have completed a 3-hour graduate or undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of “C” or higher
• MSN-FNP and PMHNP applicants must have at least one year of RN experience by the time their application is submitted
• The applicant’s professional statement
• Professional work experience

In addition to the criteria listed, an interview may be requested.

Occupational Therapy — Doctorate (OTD)

Those meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply for admission to EKU’s OTD programs. View full OTD application process on either the Bachelor’s to OTD or the Master’s to OTD pages for further information.

Application Requirements: To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, as well as the following requirements established by the department. For more information, view the OTD application process.

A degree from an entry level occupational therapist program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). International applicants must have met all requirements for practice in their own country and graduated from an accredited or World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.

Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). International applicants must provide documentation that they are eligible to practice as an occupational therapist in their home country.

A graduate research methods course.

Three letters of recommendation for applicants who do not have a master’s in Occupational Therapy from EKU.

A one-to-two page statement of professional goals.

A resume and/or professional portfolio.

 Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework.

 An online graduate application.

Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis - Master's

The admissions requirements for applicants to the M.S. General Psychology with ABA concentration are as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or 2.75 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study
• Completion of one undergraduate research course and one undergraduate statistics course
• Completion of three courses in psychology or a related discipline
• If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, then satisfactory performance on the general sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.
• A personal statement describing your career goals and explaining how you plan to use the degree/ABA concentration

The admissions requirements for applicants to the ABA Certificate-Only Program are as follows:

• A master’s in psychology, education, or behavior analysis with a minimum overall graduate grade point average of 2.75.
• A personal statement describing your career goals and explaining how you plan to use the degree / ABA concentration

* As part of our commitment to educational excellence, Eastern Kentucky University — in compliance with the Behavior Analyst Certificate Board (BACB) and Applied Behavioral Analysis International — is preparing for the educational requirements/required competencies to transition from BACB’s 4th Edition task list to the 5th Edition task list. For additional information, please speak to the program  advisor .

Psychology - Industrial-Organizational - Master's

View the application process to EKU’s industrial-organizational psychology master’s degree program. For more information, please contact an enrollment advisor. The admissions requirements for applicants to the M.S. Industrial-Organizational Psychology program are as follows:

• Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of two undergraduate psychology courses including statistics and one upper division psychology course [comparable courses in relevant disciplines (e.g., business) will be considered]*
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75, and 3.0 overall in the last 60 hours of the bachelor’s program. Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are exempt from the GRE requirement
• Targeted Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 149 or above on the verbal section and 144 or above on the quantitative section
• Three (3) letters of recommendation providing evidence of academic potential from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic or employment experience
• A statement of career goals and objectives demonstrating academic potential and appropriate interests
• Curriculum Vita/Resume

Public Administration — Master’s

Applicants who meet the criteria listed below may qualify for “Clear Admission” to the MPA program. Applicants must:

• Submit a complete application
• Meet the general requirements of both the Graduate School
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), or 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours. In addition, applicants are expected to have verbal scores of 146 or above, and quantitative scores of 140 or above on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are exempt from the GRE requirement
• Provide two (2) letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic or employment experience
• Submit a statement of career goals and objectives

Students who fail to meet the targeted GPA or GRE scores specified above may be granted a probationary admission. The minimum condition for transfer from probationary admission status to clear admission status is the successful completion of at least nine hours of graduate course work with a grade point average of at least 3.0 and with no more than one grade, regardless of the number of course credit hours, of “C” or lower. Students must be removed from probationary admission prior to registering in any course work beyond an initial 12 hours. At least six hours of the first 12 hours must be in the common MPA core.

Public Health — Master’s

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• Graduate school application and fee
• Official transcripts – Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher – or – 3.25 in their last 60 hours of undergraduate work meet the minimum requirements for eligibility for full-admission consideration. Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate degree GPA of 2.5 or higher, but do not meet the requirements for full-admission consideration, are eligible for provisional admission consideration. Students with provisional admission based upon GPA must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for their first two academic terms
• Statement of personal and professional objectives (1 1/2 to 2 pages)
• list of 3 professional or academic references with current contact information
• A TOEFL score of at least 550 for paper based, 79 for internet based, or 213 computerized, is required for international applicants. Satisfying the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission

Safety, Security and Emergency Management — Master’s

Graduate Program

• No GRE for applicants with a 2.5 undergraduate GPA or higher
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• If you hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited school the GRE may be waived

Certificate Program

• Achieved an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 overall to be granted a clear admittance
• Submit official transcripts from the university that granted your baccalaureate degree

Social Work (MSW) — Master's

Applicants applying for admission to the 60-hour program must have:

• A baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency or foreign equivalent
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.7 and a minimum of 3.0 on undergraduate social work courses and previous graduate work*

Students who have a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW or BSSW) from a Council on Social Work accredited program are eligible for Advanced Standing status, which enables a student to waive all foundation-level courses, except for the Foundation Capstone course. All applicants applying for advanced standing status must have:

• A baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW or BSSW) from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and graduated within five years of entry to the MSW program**

As required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards, the EKU BSW/MSW program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience

** Students who do not meet the minimum requirement(s) may be considered for provisional admission based on a review of the applicant’s transcript(s) and the strengths of the other elements in their application. Some work experience is preferred. Although GRE scores are not required for program admission, applicants may submit current scores from the GRE General Exam to supplement their application materials. GRE scores are valid for five years from the date of the exam.

*The Eastern Kentucky University master’s program has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has made progress toward meeting criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. A program that has attained Candidacy has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.

Students who enter programs that attain Candidacy in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation. Candidacy is typically a three-year process and attaining Candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain Initial Accreditation. Candidacy applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation .

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online graduate student on deployment in Afghanistan.

• “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
• “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
• “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate

Apply To EKU Online

University of Kentucky

Cost & scholarships.

• Essay prompt

Your chances

Acceptance rate, acceptance rate breakdown, applicant breakdown, average net cost after aid.

Published costs and averages can be misleading: they don’t fully account for your family’s finances (for financial aid) or your academic profile (for scholarships).

Want to see your personalized net cost after financial aid and scholarships?

Applications

How to apply, tests typically submitted, enrolled breakdown by gender, race & ethnicity diversity, special academic offering, study abroad, credit for ap exams, offers graduate degree, academic and career counseling, similar schools.

Degree Requirements

In addition to satisfying UK CORE and College of Arts and Sciences requirements , students  must satisfy the requirements of the Mathematical Economics component.

Pre-major Requirements

• MA 113  - Calculus I [4 hours]
• MA 114  - Calculus II [4 hours]

Major Requirements

Mathematics core requirement.

• MA 213  - Calculus III [4 hours]
• MA 214  - Calculus IV [3 hours]
• MA 322  - Matrix Algebra and Its Applications [3 hours]
• MA 320  - Introductory Probability [3 hours]  or STA 524 -  Probability [3 hours]

Economics Core Requirements 

• ECO 201  - Principles of Economics I [3 hours]
• ECO 202  - Principles of Economics II [3 hours]
• ECO 391  - Economic and Business Statistics [3 hours]
• ECO 401  - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory [3 hours]
• ECO 402  - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory [3 hours]

Mathematics Component 

• MA 416G - Introduction to Optimization [3 hours]
• MA 417G - Decision Making Under Uncertainty [3 hours]
• STA 525 - Introduction to Stat Inference [3 hours]
• MA 417G - Decision Making Under Uncertainty [3 hours]
• MA 471G - Advanced Calculus I [3 hours]
• MA 472G - Advanced Calculus II [3 hours]

Economics Component

• ECO 491G - Applied Econometrics [3 hours]
• ECO 300+ Elective [3 hours]
• ECO 400+ Elective [3 hours]

Statistics Component

• STA 296  - Statistical Method and Motivations [3 hours]  or higer level Statistics couse

Colleges Rates and Requirements

Find the right college for you., core college requirements for competitive acceptance rates.

As you start thinking about which colleges to apply to and how to put together your college applications, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with current admissions requirements and acceptance trends. You may have seen recent headlines about college acceptance rates and how low they were for students who applied to the most selective colleges and universities. It’s important to remember that while admissions requirements for the most competitive schools didn’t change, the number of students applying to these types of institutions has gradually increased. As a result, acceptance rates of colleges, particularly elite universities, decreased. You should also keep in mind that due to the covid-19 pandemic, most institutions saw a spike in applications. This has caused acceptance rates to further decrease.

The headlines shouldn’t deter you from moving ahead with the application process. Although it might feel seem like there’s more competition than ever before, it’s important to remember two things: Acceptance rates vary among colleges, and most colleges accept two-thirds of applicants. Once you understand what college entrance requirements are and how to interpret college admission rates, you'll be better prepared to find the right school for you.

Understand These Key Requirements for College Applications.

Each college uses its own formula when evaluating applicants, and these practices vary from school to school. In addition, many colleges over the last few years have begun instituting "test optional" and "test flexible" policies for the SAT and ACT. Despite these factors, colleges still look for certain key requirements. You can learn more about admissions requirements for individual colleges in College Search .

Standard Core Curriculum and Beyond

All colleges emphasize GPA requirements, but they focus particularly on performance in core subject areas such as mathematics, science, English, and history. Colleges look at your grades, curriculum, and the courses you take as indicators of your ability to be successful in college. To get a better understanding of which colleges might be the best fit for you, research the GPA requirements for colleges you’re interested in. Also look at the range of GPAs accepted at those institutions on the BigFuture College Search tool. Consider taking more advanced coursework such as AP courses if it fits with your career goals and if your school offers them.

Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars are where you can really stand out, especially from others with similar grades. Extra academic activities show off your personal strengths and interests to admissions officers. Ideally, they want to see students who were deeply involved in school activities outside of the classroom and held leadership positions. Learn more about how extracurriculars matter to you and colleges .

Application Essay

For colleges that require it, the application essay can be a very important part of your application and is your pitch to the university. This is your opportunity to show the school of your dreams the unique individual you are, something that may not necessarily be conveyed in your transcript. It indicates how your talents will contribute to their community. Find tips for writing your college essay here.

Standardized Test Scores

Though the trend in some U.S. colleges has been to put less emphasis on SAT scores, make no mistake: They still play an important role in the college admissions process. Test scores are still used by many colleges for course placement and merit aid. High test scores can also help you stand out and strengthen your college application. If you’re not sure if you should submit your scores, talk to your school counselor or the college’s admissions officer for guidance.

Letters of Recommendation

Although not required by all colleges, letters of recommendation can give admissions counselors insight into who you are beyond just your grades and activities. If letters are required by the institutions you’re applying to, the college will let you know who they want letters from. It’s usually a teacher or counselor. Pick someone who knows you well.

Keep on Top of College Application Deadlines.

Application deadlines can sneak up on high school seniors like a tiger in the night. It’s of utmost importance that you double-check your prospective school’s application deadlines and submit everything you need sooner rather than later. Most college application deadlines fall into the following categories:

Understand the College Application Platform.

There are two main types of college applications : The Common Application and the Coalition Application, which allow students to apply to multiple schools using a single application platform. You should check with the institutions you’re interested in applying to see which application platform they prefer.

How Do College Acceptance Rates Work?

A college’s acceptance rate is actually a ratio. It's the total number of applicants in relation to the number of students who were accepted. For example, Harvard received applications from 61,220 students in 2022─the highest-ever number of applicants to the school. Of those, only 1,214 received admission, leading to the school’s lowest-ever acceptance rate of 3.19%.

This illustrates the point earlier that college acceptance rates are on a decline as the number of applicants increases, saturating the pool with more competition than ever before.

Acceptance rates are based on the number of spots available at a college. This is a set number of applicants who can be admitted to that class of graduates, and it's not subject to change based on the volume of applicants. As you can imagine, more competitive schools, such as Ivy League colleges and universities, have fewer spots available and are thus affected more by the number of applicants.

This same logic applies to private and public colleges. Public colleges, which are characteristically larger institutions, will admit greater numbers of students, leading to higher acceptance rates. However, public colleges have also been impacted by a larger number of applicants. When you’re building your college list, it’s advisable to include a balance of reach, match, and safety schools to improve your chances of acceptance.

It's important to keep in mind that college admission rates don’t necessarily reflect the quality of education or the quality of students who apply, and you shouldn’t be discouraged from applying to schools based on these numbers.

What is the Difference Between Admission Yield and Enrollment Rate?

Admission yield is the percentage of students who accepted enrollment into a college after being granted admission. These vary significantly from school to school. For example, the University of California, Berkeley’s yield rate for 2022 was just 40% while the yield rate for Yale was a whopping 83%.

As students apply to greater numbers of colleges and have more options, yield rates decline.

Review the Latest College Acceptance Rate Stats.

Students faced competitive acceptance rates in 2022. Common Application public colleges and universities saw a 24% surge of applicants since 2019-20 and 17% for private institutions. Meanwhile, the acceptance rates continue to decline. For example, Emory University’s acceptance rate fell 8 percentage points between 2020 and 2022.

Students who are eyeing colleges with highly competitive acceptance rates must focus more than ever on the things that will set them apart: exceptional performance beyond the standard core curriculum, strong extracurricular participation, powerful application essays, letters of recommendation, and excellent standardized test scores. However, even with all of these differentiators, it’s important to remember that none of these can guarantee acceptance, especially at selective institutions. Be sure to build a balanced college list that gives you options.

Related Articles

Alar Lipping, Ph.D., Interim School of Kinesiology, Counseling, and Rehabilitative Sciences Director 

Christopher Lawrence, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

Dori Glance, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

The Dual Degree in Counseling combines both a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Arts in School Counseling, both CACREP-accredited programs.  A combination of these degrees will prepare students to be eligible for licensure as clinical mental health counselors and certification as school counselors. Specifically, this program prepares individuals to provide counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in private practice, school districts, hospitals, community and government agencies, and other settings.

Contact Information

School of Kinesiology, Counseling, and Rehabilitative Sciences Graduate Office - MEP 203 [email protected] ; (859) 572-7892

Admission Requirements

Individuals applying must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University as defined by the Graduate Catalog at the time of application in addition to the following:

To be eligible for admission applicants must have the following qualifications :

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Undergraduate coursework must contain 48 semester credits (or equivalent in quarter hours) in the liberal arts. 

Application Process:

• Submit an online application and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
• Submit official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework sent directly from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
• Applicants with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0 must submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).This requirement will be waived for those individuals who have already completed a master’s degree.
• Submit the supplemental application, including a 500-700-word essay demonstrating evidence of one’s potential to work effectively with people, reasons for pursuing education to become a professional counselor, any relevant work or volunteer experiences, and professional goals. This essay will be evaluated for clarity, grammar, and structure/organization. Supplemental application is available on the Office of Graduate Education website. 
• Submit a writing sample. This may be a paper from the applicant’s undergraduate/graduate studies that evidences their academic capacities or a new paper (3-5 pages in length) in response to one of the prompts available on the Office of Graduate Education website. Submissions will be evaluated for clarity, grammar, and structure/organization.
• Three recommendations from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of counseling. These must be submitted on counseling recommendation form.  Recommendations available on the Office of Graduate Education website.
• Submit a professional resume tailored to educational goals, including educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments.
• A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. For individuals currently employed in the public schools, a copy of their teaching certificate may be submitted in lieu of the background check.  Please contact the program at [email protected] in order to obtain information on getting your background check completed.  Any costs associated with background check are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Successful completion of an interview with Counseling Program faculty and a positive recommendation from the admission’s committee for admission to the program, to ensure the candidate possesses the interpersonal characteristics and personal dispositions to uphold ethical standards of the counseling profession. 

The counseling program admits new students for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Admission to the counseling program is competitive, and admission decisions are based on a holistic evaluation of each applicant’s admission file.

Curriculum Requirements

Completion of the 72-hour dual-degree program corresponds with the academic and experiential standards outlined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP - http://www.cacrep.org/template/index.cfm).  The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling also corresponds and is approved by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Counselors ( http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/335-00/525.PDF ), the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board ( http://cswmft.ohio.gov ), and the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency ( http://in.gov/pla/2888.htm ).  The Master of Arts in School Counseling is authorized by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) as well as accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Additionally, our degrees may meet the requirements for many other states, though each state has unique application and licensure/certification requirements; please review the counseling licensure requirements for the states in which one might be interested. 

Required Courses

• COU 600 Orientation to Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 601 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 602 Orientation to School Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 610 Counseling Diverse Populations (3 credits) ♦
• COU 620 Human Development (3 credits) ♦
• COU 621 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 credits) ♦
• COU 622 Crisis Intervention in Schools (3 credits) ♦
• COU 630 Career Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 640 Counseling Techniques (3 credits) ♦
• COU 641 Theories in Counseling and Psychotherapy (3 credits) ♦
• COU 642 Counseling Families and Couples (3 credits) ♦
• COU 650 Theories and Practice of Group Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 654 School Counseling Services (3 credits) ♦
• COU 660 Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 670 Diagnosis of Emotional/Mental Disorders (3 credits) ♦
• COU 671 Treatment Planning in Counseling (3 credits) ♦
• COU 674 Crisis Counseling and Crisis Intervention (3 credits) ♦
• COU 675 Substance Use and Addictions (3 credits) ♦
• COU 680 Research Methods and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• COU 690 Counseling Practicum (3 credits) ♦
• COU 691 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship (1-12 credits) ♦

(Minimum 6 credit hours)

• COU 692 School Counseling Internship (1-12 credits) ♦

Total Hours: 72

Program retention.

The counseling program has additional academic standards, beyond those of the minimum university standards for graduate students.  No student will be allowed to begin Practicum or Internship while on academic probation.   Furthermore, a student who receives an F in any counseling course, or any grade lower than a B-  in  COU 600   , COU 601   ,  COU 602   ,  COU 640   , COU 641   , COU 650   , COU 690   , COU 691   , COU 692   , will not be permitted to continue in the program without the approval of the respective program director. 

Timeline of Clinical Practice Experiences:

1. Prior to enrollment in practicum ( COU 690   ), students must have completed the following courses:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling students: COU 600   , COU 601   , COU 641   , COU 640   , COU 650    (may be taken concurrently)
• School Counseling students: COU 602   , COU 601   , COU 641   , COU 640   , COU 650    (may be taken concurrently)

2. Application to Practicum or Internship . The semester prior to the expected start date for practicum ( COU 690   ), students must submit an Application for Clinical Practice and Criminal Background Report to the Clinical Director or the respective Program Director.

3. Practicum :

• The practicum course provides counseling students with direct opportunities to enhance their counseling skills within a structured, supportive environment. Students will be expected to demonstrate the intentional use of their counseling skills with clients in an ethical and culturally responsive manner.
• Students will complete supervised counseling practicum experiences that total a minimum of  100 clock hours  over a full semester;  at least 40 of these hours  must involve direct service with actual clients that contributes to the development of counseling skills.
• Each week, practicum students will participate in  one hour of individual and/or triadic supervision  by a counselor education program faculty member, as well as one hour of weekly supervision by an onsite supervisor, as applicable.
• Practicum students will also participate in an average of  1½ hours per week of group supervision  on campus throughout the practicum course. 

4. Internship:

• Building on the competencies developed in practicum ( COU 690   ), internship students will be expected to increasingly demonstrate the full range of competencies expected by a professional school or clinical counselor.
•  After successful completion of the practicum course, students must complete  600 clock hours  of supervised counseling internship in settings relevant to their specialty area; at least  240 of these clock hours  must involve direct service with actual clients.
• Internship students will have  weekly interaction with site supervisors that averages one hour per week  of either individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship.
• Internship students will also participate in an average of  1½ hours per week of group supervision  on campus throughout the internship provided by a counselor education program faculty member.

State of Kentucky Provisional Counseling/Guidance Certificate

Upon completion of the 72 credit hour dual-degree counseling program the individual is eligible for the Kentucky Provisional School Counseling Certificate. This certificate is awarded by the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board with a recommendation from NKU. The initial Provisional School Counseling Certificate is valid for five years. The Provisional Certificate allows one to seek employment as a school counselor. One will have five years to complete the requirements for the Standard Guidance Certificate or renew the provisional certificate with additional coursework in counseling.  A CA-1 form must be submitted to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) to apply for the certification.  Contact the Counseling Graduate Office at [email protected] for questions on certification.

Completion of the 72 credit hour program master’s in school counseling program at NKU satisfies coursework requirements for the initial Ohio Licensure Application in School Counseling ( http://education.ohio.gov ) as well as coursework requirements for many other states across the country (see  http://www.schoolcounselor.org ). Each state has unique application requirements in addition to coursework, such as the school counseling Praxis, Pearson, etc. exam, so please review your home state’s school counseling licensure/certification requirements closely for the state you are planning to seek licensure/certification in.

Additional Information

Certifications are not automatic and must be initiated by the student.  Forms and processes of application for certification from Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) are subject to change. For the most current application forms or processes go to the KYEPSB website ( http://www.epsb.ky.gov ) Contact the counseling graduate office for additional information on university recommendations for certification.

No Praxis Exams are required at this time for School Counseling Certification.

* Requirements and passing scores for teacher/educator certification are subject to change. For the most current PRAXIS II testing requirements, go to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board website ( http://www.epsb.ky.gov ) If you are certified/licensed or requesting certification/licensure in another state please check with your licensure board for your state testing regulations.

Exit Requirements

• Application to graduate submitted by posted deadlines by candidate through the myNKU student portal.
• Students will complete all coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Completion of all required courses used for the degree with a C or better.
• Signed Counselor Education Handbook Acknowledgment.
• Signed Code of Ethics for Counselor Education Programs.
• Signed copy of Dual Counseling degree curriculum contract.

Students will complete all coursework following the academic policies of the university.  At the conclusion of their plan of study, all students must take a comprehensive exam (usually within their last two semesters of their courses) prescribed by the counseling education program faculty.  A passing score on the prescribed exam, in addition to successful completion of the academic coursework, is required for graduation.

More From Forbes

Dispute over academic governance simmering at university of kentucky.

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A dispute at the University of Kentucky over the academic authority of the university senate is the ... [+] latest example of frayed notions about shared governance in higher education.

An ongoing dispute between University of Kentucky faculty and UK President Eli Capilouto took a new turn this week over his proposal to weaken the academic authority of the university senate. The particulars of the disagreement are, of course, unique to UK, but their implications reach further, emblematic of a growing national tension over the extent and meaning of shared governance in higher education.

On Monday, the university senate decisively passed a resolution opposing “the President’s proposed principles for shared governance,” adding that it “has no confidence that his proposed changes are in the best long-term interests of the University or the Commonwealth.”

The resolution was a formal reaction to a proposal Capilouto released in late March that would strip the university senate of its current power to decide several matters of academic policy such as approval of new and revised academic programs, the addition of new courses, establishment of grading policies and setting admissions standards.

In a message to the faculty, Capilouto said that the university’s governing regulations “delegate what is often called educational policy to the University Senate. This has been interpreted broadly, not simply for the content of courses, but a host of other matters that are not about the curriculum. We are recommending potential revisions to our GRs to make clear the Board’s sole role and authority as the representatives of the people of Kentucky who we serve.”

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Capilouto’s plan is the outgrowth of an October 2023 directive from UK’s board of trustees for the university to make “significant progress” in five areas where it could help advance Kentucky’s economy and the health, welfare and quality of life for its citizens.

One of the five areas was a review of university policies and its governing and administrative regulations “to ensure the institution is poised to accelerate its progress and growth.”

Subsequently called Project Accelerate , part of the plan called for the president to make recommendations for streamlining institutional rules and regulations perceived to be impeding the university’s responsiveness to the state’s needs and priorities.

“There is an urgent need to streamline and clarify the rules we have to ensure that we truly honor shared governance, which is designed to give everyone a voice,” said UK Board Chair Britt Brockman in a February university release . “We don’t have that today, in my judgment.”

An accompanying benchmarking study concluded that UK’s governing regulations were problematic. It described them as an outlier among similar institutions because they were unduly lengthy and detailed; they did not “outline the areas in which authority can be exercised, or explicitly limit the authority given to the University Senate;” and they did not give the board or the administration sufficient input on educational policy.

The board of trustees directed the president to recommend policy changes that “define and clearly articulate a shared governance structure that is in greater alignment with institutional benchmarks and that clearly recognizes the board’s primacy as the institution’s policymaking body.”

On March 27, Capilouto posted his “ Final Draft of Principles for Campus Review , in which he outlined four principles for a new governance arrangement.

• The board of trustees would be the institution’s ultimate authority for all policy matters, which should not be delegated any longer to the university senate.
• The university senate — composed of 94 elected full-time faculty members; student representatives identified by the student government association;, the president; the provost; the college deans; all vice presidents; the academic ombud; the chair of the staff senate; and a representative of the emeritus faculty — would be replaced. In its place, Capilouto proposed three shared governance bodies — a faculty senate, a staff senate and the student government association — that would be given advisory responsibilities rather than policy-setting authority.
• A president’s council — composed of three students, three staff, three faculty and three senior administrators — would also be created “to regularly advise the President on the most critical, high-level institutional matters.”
• Colleges and departments should be given greater responsibility for developing and deciding educational policy and practice at the college and unit level.

The negative campus fallout over the proposal, which UK’s board wants to act on by this summer, was swift and extensive.

Faculty leaders have repeatedly asked Capilouto to hit the pause button on what they perceived to be a rushed timetable, a charge the president disputes, pointing to the fact that he’s offering “these initial thoughts as draft recommendations, as points of departure for what I know will be a robust set of earnest deliberations and discussions over the next several weeks.” He also promised to continue to listen to campus feedback that could result in further refinements or improvements, and he’s tried to reassure faculty that they should have an important role in advising and consulting on academic policies.

Faculty also have questioned the accuracy of the information used in the benchmarking exercise and have asked for the data to be made public, a request that so far has been refused by the university, which hired the consulting firm Deloitte, to help conduct the benchmarking analysis.

Compounding these concerns, according to UK faculty, is the president's failure to obtain institutional data from the senate council — essentially the executive committee of the university senate — on the actual speed and volume of decisions made by the senate.

The UK chapter of the AAUP and the United Campus Workers of Kentucky wrote in a joint letter that “the fate of our university curricula, programs, and much more could be determined by appointed administrators with little expertise in the areas they are tasked with administering.” “Furthermore,” the letter continued, “the authority that these administrators might gain through this resolution could have significant consequences for us and our students.”

And the senate council has objected to the president’s recommendations in the form of its own resolution that states that “overwhelmingly, faculty object to potential changes in the University Senate's responsibility as an educational decision-making body.” It added, “the faculty has made it clear that they want to retain the University Senate’s and their faculty decision-making authority for educational policy, including admissions at the department and college levels.”

The Senate Resolution

This week’s resolution from the university senate, asserting that “shared governance is a foundational core value of the University of Kentucky,’ is the latest salvo in the dispute. It appears intended to accomplish three objectives.

First, it repeats concerns about the process and substance of the proposed changes and calls for a pause to allow the university senate, the staff senate, and the student government association “the opportunity to vote to indicate their support for or opposition to any proposed changes prior to their presentation to the Board of Trustees.” At this point, there’s been no indication that such a pause is likely.

Second, it signals a desire to forge a compromise with Capilouto about the senate’s decisional powers regarding academic policy. It suggests that changes to current governance structures could be made, including possibly expanding the university senate and shifting some academic authority currently residing in the senate to the colleges. At a time when campus emotions are running high, the resolution represents an olive branch of sorts, seeking some common ground about where and how academic policy is made.

Third, behind the language of compromise, however, lurks a further implication. By invoking the phrase that it has “no confidence” that Capilouto’s proposal is in the best long-term interests of UK or the Commonwealth, the senate is sending a message that a broader vote of no confidence in the president could remain a possibility. That would escalate the conflict with all sorts of negative consequences becoming possible, as no-confidence votes at several other institutions have recently revealed.

On a personal note, and in full disclosure, I was a member of the faculty at the University of Kentucky for 32 years and served as a department chair, graduate dean and provost. I was a member of the senate council and the university senate.

Did I ever find the university senate to be cumbersome and frustrating? Yes, several times. Were its rules too elaborate? Probably so. Did it ever slow down actions that I and others wanted to move more quickly? Again, yes. Could its regulations be simplified? Most surely.

But here’s what else I learned, and that I hope the leadership of the university will appreciate. The senate operated in good faith, it insisted on sound data for its decisions, its typically rigorous reviews often strengthened initially weak proposals, it contributed multidisciplinary expertise on curricular changes, it helped build institution-wide relationships, and it provided a layer of insulation against outside attacks and political meddling that college administrators often find hard to deflect on their own.

Be careful UK — that’s a lot to give up.

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