4.2.2 GRADUATE SCHOOL
4.2.2.1 Regular Graduate Student Admission
4.2.2.1.1 Admission Requirements
Students applying for regular admission to the University of Kentucky Graduate School must meet all of the following requirements, except where otherwise provided under SR 4.2.2.2.
- hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
- an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, [US: 2/13/2023]
- a graduate grade point average (GPA) (if applicable) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate work. [US: 2/13/2023]
- only if a program requires them (see SR 4.2.2.2.3), submission of scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The advanced portion of the GRE may be required by individual programs. [US: 2/13/2023]
- has been accepted by the graduate program to which the individual has applied.
[US: 4/21/52; 10/10/74; 2/12/79; 10/12/98]
4.2.2.1.2 Transfer of Course Credit Hours
Upon request of the DGS, a total of 9 hours (or 25% of regular course degree requirements) may be transferred into a master’s degree program. [US: 04/11/83]
4.2.2.2 Exceptions to Regular Graduate Admission Requirements
4.2.2.2.1 International Applicants
International applicants are required to have (1) a completed baccalaureate degree (see SR 4.2.2.2.2) and (2) demonstrate English proficiency. One of the methods below can be used to demonstrate this proficiency. [US: 4/41/52; 11/12/18; 4/6/20; 2/13/2023]
- An awarded degree from a fully accredited US institution (bachelors, masters or doctoral degree)
- Official, valid scores from an English Language Proficiency Test approved by Graduate Council, sent directly to the University of Kentucky Graduate School
- Statement on the official transcript or an attestation letter sent directly from the registrar of the degree-granting institution confirming that English was the language of instruction
4.2.2.2.2 Cooperative Education Arrangements
In the case of students applying for admission to the Graduate School under the auspices of an approved, in-force cooperative education agreement with a US or international partner institution, the requirement of having a completed baccalaureate degree may be temporarily waived for up to 12 months from the date of enrollment, or the number of months stated in the cooperative agreement; no graduate degree will be awarded until a bachelor’s degree from a accredited institution of higher learning has been awarded. Such cooperative education agreements shall consider the following criteria regarding the potential benefit for UK and the US or international partner institution: congruence with the academic, research, service priorities, and plans of the University as well as the Department and College proposing the agreement; congruence with the University’s mission; anticipated benefits to students, faculty members, the University, and university stakeholders; evidence of institutional quality including, for example, reputation, international/national ranking, and accreditation status. [US: 11/12/2018]
The Provost’s Office shall ensure that approval procedures for cooperative education agreements, including approval by the faculty of the affected degree program(s), are created, maintained, and published in accordance with the considerations listed above. Biennially, a representative from the Provost’s Office shall prepare a report to the Senate Admissions and Academic Standards Committee (SAASC) on new cooperative education agreements and how they are in compliance with the criteria identified in this section of the Senate Rules. [US: 11/12/2018]
4.2.2.2.3 Exceptions to GRE Requirement
1. For Fall 2024 admissions and beyond, GRE/GMAT scores are not required for admission to the Graduate School. However, individual programs that find these scores useful for their admission decisions may maintain GRE/GMAT scores as a requirement for their program. All programs that require GRE/GMAT scores as of May 1, 2023 will maintain this requirement. [US: 10/12/98; 2/9/04; 2/13/2023]
2. Programs that wish to change their GRE/GMAT requirement must do so via the Senate approval process [2/13/2023]
4.2.2.2.4 Conditional Graduate Student Admissions
[US: 4/21/52; 2/12/79; 2/14/05; 2/13/2023]
A student who wishes to pursue a higher degree, but who, for one or more of the reasons listed below, is temporarily ineligible for regular admission status may be recommended by the Director of Graduate Studies as a conditional student:
A. Both domestic and international students may be admitted “conditionally”:
- Until receipt of a final undergraduate transcript showing an awarded Bachelor’s degree. [2/13/2023]
- Until receipt of official GRE/GMAT scores for programs that have this as an admission requirement. [2/13/2023]
- Until a student with a grade point average of less than 2.75, or a graduate of a non-accredited institution, provides evidence acceptable to the program and the Dean of the Graduate School indicating that the student is capable of doing satisfactory graduate work. Individual programs may establish higher requirements. [US: 10/12/98; 2/13/2023]
These requirements will be monitored by the Graduate School and must be met prior to the date set for priority registration during the first semester of enrollment. Students will not be allowed to priority register if these requirements are not met. (The specific registration dates for their semester of entry and the consequences of failure to meet these requirements will be clearly spelled out in their acceptance letter).
B. Programs will have the option to recommend that both domestic and international students will be admitted “conditionally” for:
- Deficiencies determined by the programs, such as taking specific required undergraduate courses
- Review by the program upon completion of a specified number of hours of coursework.
Approval to proceed with the doctoral qualifying examination or the master’s final examination will not be granted to students remaining in conditional status.
C. Graduating Seniors/Part-time Graduate Students
Graduating University of Kentucky seniors lacking no more than six hours for graduation, but who otherwise meet admission requirements, may be admitted into the Graduate School in “conditional status.” In this case, the consent of the college dean and the Dean of the Graduate School and the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies are necessary. Such students may take no more than 12 credit hours and must complete the undergraduate degree during the semester in which they enroll in the conditional status. (See also SR 4.2.2.2.6)
4.2.2.2.5 Postbaccalaureate Student
Students who hold a baccalaureate degree and who wish to take graduate courses without enrollment in a graduate degree program or graduate certificate program may apply for admission as a postbaccalaureate student. [US: 5/4/2020]
A postbaccalaureate student may take an unlimited number of graduate-level courses. If the student later decides to work toward a graduate degree, the courses and number of UK graduate credit hours eligible for transfer will be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies and subsequently approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Only courses assigned a grade of B or better can be transferred. Courses must have been taken no more than 10 years (master’s/specialist) or 8 years (doctoral) prior to the semester the transfer is requested. [US: 5/4/2020
Permission to enroll in any graduate class as a postbaccalaureate student will be granted only if the student meets the prerequisites and if space is available.
4.2.2.2.6 University Scholars Program (USP)
[US: 12/8/2008]
4.2.2.2.6.1 Admissions to University Scholars Program (USP)
Applications to the University Scholars Program (USP) will follow current procedures and rules for admission to the Graduate School with the following additions: [US: 4/14/97; 4/10/2023]
- The graduate program faculty concur the field of the undergraduate major is the same or related field as the master's or doctoral program.
- The program is open to undergraduates with senior standing who have completed at least 90 hours of course work and should have satisfied all UK Core requirements. Application to the program should be at the end of the student's junior year.
- The undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (UGPA) should be greater than or equal to 3.5 in the student's major and 3.2 overall.
- Application to the USP will follow the current procedures for application to the Graduate School, subject to the above conditions. Admission decisions will be made by the Graduate Dean or their appointee. (See SR 5.5.1.5) [US: 9/13/82; US: 4/14/97]
4.2.2.2.7 Postdoctoral Scholar or Postdoctoral Fellow
University educational policies concerning postdoctoral scholars and postdoctoral fellows (SR 1.3.2.2.5), who are enrolled in PD 099 (SR 3.2.1.3.12.1), are supervised through the Dean of the Graduate School (SR 6.4.4.2), including the handling of academic offenses in which case the Rules of the Graduate School shall apply (SR 6.4.2.3).