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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.

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First-Time Freshman
Transfer Student
International Student

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:

  • Ireland
  • UK
  • Australia
  • 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.

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.
  • English language proficiency* demonstrated by one of the following:
    • 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.
  • One of the following:
    • 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.
  4. Undergraduate Major (or equivalent) in the field in which certification is being sought (only for secondary candidates; others are reviewed for appropriate course content).
  5. 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 certification.alternative_routes@EKU.EDU:

  1. A professional resume
  2. An autobiography documenting relevant life/work/educational experience
  3. Three letters of reference
  4.  Complete two written assignments, given by the department, that assess critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration.
    • ESSAY #1  – In an essay (3-4 pages each) describe a situation (professional, educational or other) in which you exhibited the following qualities:
      • Critical Thinking
      • Creativity
      • 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.
  5. Verified Credentials Background check – Instructions on this webpage – Verified Credentials
  6. Complete an interview with the Master of Arts in Teaching admission committee
  7. Candidates must complete and sign a Candidate Statement of Commitment Regarding Dispositions form. (Will be completed during the admission interview.)
  8. 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
certification.alternative_routes@eku.edu

For advising questions, please contact:
Dr. Julie Rutland, MAT Program Coordinator
julie.rutland@eku.edu 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
  • Applicants with master’s degree can submit:
    • 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

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

  • Academic transcripts
  • 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 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 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

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

  • Academic transcripts
  • The applicant’s professional statement
  • Three required professional references
  • 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. A graduate research methods course.

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

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

  6. A resume and/or professional portfolio.

  7.  Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework.

  8.  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

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
  • 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.

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