Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University


About

Eastern Kentucky University is in the midst of our most ambitious initiative in more than half a century. Our bold plans are driven by three priorities that anchor our strategic plan: student success, academic excellence, and campus revitalization. Eastern Kentucky University is a regional, coeducational, public institution of higher education offering general and liberal arts programs, pre-professional and professional training in education, and various other fields at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

46%
Graduation rate
78%
Admission rate
15:1
Student-faculty ratio

Source: US Department of Education

About EKU

Eastern Kentucky University is a regional, coeducational, public institution of higher education offering general and liberal arts programs, pre-professional and professional training in education and various other fields at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Located in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, Eastern has a distinguished record of more than a century of educational service to the Commonwealth.

History

1906

  • March 21: The Kentucky General Assembly of 1906 enacted legislation establishing the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School. Governor J.C. Beckham signed the bill into law March 21, 1906.
  • May 7: The Normal School Commission, meeting in Louisville, selected the campus of the old Central University, founded in 1874 in Richmond, as the site of the new school.
  • June 2: Ruric Nevel Roark was chosen President of the Normal School and the training of teachers was begun.

1922

  • Eastern became a four-year institution known as the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College.

1925

  • First degrees were awarded by Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College.

1928

  • The College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

1930

  • The General Assembly renamed the school the Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College.

1935

  • A graduate program was approved at Eastern, leading to the Master of Arts degree in Education.

1948

  • General Assembly removed the word “Teachers” from the name of the college and granted the college the right to award nonprofessional degrees.

1966

  • February 26: Governor Edward T. Breathitt signed into law a bill renaming the institution Eastern Kentucky University and sanctioning the awarding of graduate degrees in academic fields other than education.
  • 1966 – Present: During this period of time, Eastern Kentucky University has increased rapidly in size and stature. Beginning with a few students engaged in short review and certificate courses, the University today serves thousands of Kentuckians and students from across the globe. The curriculum leads to associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and an expanding graduate program that currently offers degrees at the master’s level in many other fields as well as the already well-established Master of Arts degree in Education and the various fifth- and sixth-year leadership programs in education, psychology, and technology. In addition to these programs, Eastern offers joint doctoral programs with cooperating institutions.

Purpose

Within its statutory responsibilities, Eastern Kentucky University seeks to provide intellectual and cultural opportunities that will develop habits of scholarship and intellectual curiosity, provide a deep understanding of American democracy and the citizen’s role in maintaining its strength and vitality, impart an understanding of humans and their aspirations, enable effective and efficient communication, and prepare productive and responsible citizens. The University will remain responsive and flexible in order to serve in unique and needed ways.

Within these general responsibilities and purposes, the University is dedicated to three specific functions — high-quality instruction, scholarship, and service, and places emphasis on the three in that order. Through its colleges and schools, the University seeks to offer quality instruction at a variety of degree levels in general education, the arts, the sciences, business, education, pre-professional and professional areas, and applied and technical disciplines. Through consultative services, continuing education, and the extended campus, the University seeks to provide service to the community and the region. Research seeks both to advance knowledge in the subject matter areas with which the University is concerned and to support the primary function of teaching.

First Time Students Application Info

  • Fill out the free online application
  • Submit your high school transcripts to the Office of Admissions
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores (not required, but encouraged for proper course placement)

Admission Eligibility: All students must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

  • Standard Admission: 2.5 or higher unweighted high school GPA
  • Success First Admission: 2.0-2.49 unweighted high school GPA

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

International Student

To apply as a freshman, a student may not have attempted or completed any college or university-level coursework. Students with college-level coursework must apply as a transfer student.

  • Fill out the free online application for the term you would like to begin. Students must indicate the major they wish to pursue in order for an I-20 to be issued.
  • Submit a copy of your valid passport
  • Submit transcripts:
  • Submit complete secondary school records reflecting a cumulative grade of 75% (2.5 GPA equivalent) or higher.
  • Transfer students – official transcripts (and evaluations for credit taken outside the United States) for all college-level coursework
  • NOTE: Transcripts that are not in English or in a 4.00 grade scale should have an official evaluation and translation of the secondary school record. Services such as ECE, WES, SpanTran or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants are able to complete both an evaluation of the GPA as well as translation if needed. Access an EKU specific form and discounted rate for Josef Silney (PDF, 277 Kb). To expedite EKU’s receipt of your evaluation, you may opt to utilize SpanTran, a NACES approved transcript evaluator.
  • Provide a declaration of finances - A Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) will not be authorized until financial verification is received. Providing false information may jeopardize visa status and result in the University revoking acceptance. U.S. immigration law requires international students to prove they have funds available for their educational and living expenses.
    Applicants must verify $26,959 USD. This cost reflects an estimate of the minimum cost of tuition fees, books and supplies, room and meals, health insurance and incidentals for a single person. All financial documentation is valid for six months after the received date.
    Note: The declaration of finances for a student seeking an Aviation – Professional Flight degree must reflect $48,412 USD to cover the additional program costs.
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following means:
  • Credit for English 101 and 102 from an accredited US college or university with a grade of “C” or better
  • TOEFL score of 530 (paper based), 195 (computer based) or 71 (Internet based) with no band score below 16
  • IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.0 or higher in every subject/skill category
  • Duolingo English test with a score of 95 or higher
  • Japanese students may submit the EIKEN test with a passing score of Pre-1
  • ACT scores of English 18 and reading 20
  • SAT Evidence Based Reading/Writing score of 510
  • Successful completion of the ELS Level 112 Intensive English program in the United States
  • Note: Students seeking an Aviation – Professional Flight degree are required to demonstrate FAA Aviation English Language Standard (AELS) Proficiency Rating Scale at the Operational Level 4. Students are required to attain this standard before acceptance of a student pilot application or issuance of a student solo endorsement. Additional details are available in FAA AC 60-28B.

Countries Exempt from the English Language Requirement: Ireland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe

Graduate

  • Fill out the free online application
  • Provide official entrance exam scores (GRE, MAT or GMAT), if applicable.
  • Provide official undergraduate transcripts (if not an EKU graduate).
  • Submit letters of recommendation, if required for the academic program.

Some programs may have additional application requirements. Contact your enrollment advisor to learn of any specific requirements for your program.

Grants

Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.

Grants are available at the federal and state level.

Private Loans

Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.

The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.

Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.

Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.

Military Benefits

For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.

Outside Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.

If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.

Departmental Scholarships

Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.

If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.

Foundation Scholarships

EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.

After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.

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