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Rank 1 Programs

School of Education

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

Rank 1 Programs

School of Education

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

Online

Program

30 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

Varies by program Per Credit Hour

Low-Cost Textbooks

For All Students

Increase Your Rank and Salary and Gain Additional Expertise

Teachers in Kentucky are held to a three-tier rank system. They are able to advance their rank, leading to increased salary and promotion opportunities by completing additional education requirements. Educators who complete 30 hours above their master’s degree are eligible to advance to Rank 1. EKU offers a number of pathways for Kentucky teachers to meet the requirements needed to gain additional expertise and meet the Rank 1 requirements.

If you are interested in earning Rank 1 through an Endorsement program or by adding a certification, please complete this form.

Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) is responsible for conferring rank and rank changes. EKU prepares educators with the required coursework and experience but does not award initial rank or changes to rank.

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Career Outlook

Employment of teachers is projected to remain steady through 2033.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • EPSB-approved
  • Graduates are prepared to attain rank advancement in Kentucky and increase salary potential
  • Assignments and action research that build critical thinking skills
  • Quality courses from respected faculty who teach the same classes online and on-campus
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online career services assistance
  • Dynamic, supportive learning environment

Program Options

If you are interested in enhancing your credentials and achieving a change in rank, EKU offers a variety of options to complete the additional 30 hours beyond a master’s degree required to meet EPSB’s Rank 1 eligibility:

  • Second Master of Arts in Education
  • Specialist in Education
  • Doctor of Education
  • Non-degree certification options
  • Non-degree endorsement options

Speak with a program advisor to determine which program will best meet your needs.

Financial Aid Considerations

If you are relying on financial aid to complete the hours required for Rank 1, you will need to complete your Rank 1 certification through an MAEd, Ed.S., or Ed.D. program.

If you do not need financial aid to complete the hours required for Rank 1, you have additional options. You can complete endorsement programs, additional certifications that total 30 graduate hours; or one of EKU’s Rank 1 programs in Elementary/Middle/Secondary Education, School Librarian, or Special Education.

Attend Online

Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Online students have access to:

  • Accelerated 7-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Personal enrollment counselors assist you through the application process
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance 

Curriculum & Admission

Rank 1 programs at EKU are highly flexible to meet your personal and professional goals. Students who need to use financial aid to pay for the additional required hours should complete a second master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or Doctor of Education degree. Those who do not need to use financial aid will work with their advisor to develop a planned program of study that may include additional endorsements or certifications.

A total of 30 graduate hours are required to meet EPSB’s Rank 1 eligibility. Upon completion of their program, the College of Education and Applied Human Services certification officer shall recommend Rank 1 classification to the Kentucky Department of Education.

View the degree requirements:

  • Rank 1 Program
EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

At least 15 credit hours must be taken at Eastern Kentucky University. The remaining 15 credits hours credit may be taken at EKU or, upon approval by the advisor, at other accredited graduate schools and transferred.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AAugust 1August
Fall BOctober 5October
Spring ADecember 1January
Spring BMarch 5March
Summer May 5May

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a grade point in the last 60 hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework
  • A Verbal score of 150, a Quantitative score of 143 and an Analytical Writing score of 4.0 on the GRE. Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher or a 3.25 in the last 60 semester hours are exempt from the Entrance Examinations
  • Statement of Eligibility or Professional Certificate with EPSB
  • Candidates must have a Master’s degree or Rank II certification through a regionally accredited institution
  • Reference inventory on Candidate Dispositions (which candidate receives from a colleague or administrator who has worked directly with the candidate): In the areas of Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity, the candidate must receive a rating of 3 or higher to be eligible for admission to advanced programs
  • Professional Code of Ethics, Character Fitness Declaration, and Professional Dispositions:
  • Candidates must review the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Certified Personnel established in 16 KAR 1:020 and sign a COE Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky Declaration form
  • Candidates must review the character and fitness questionnaire contained in Section III of the CA-1 incorporated by reference in 16 KAR 2:010 and sign a COE Professional Character and Fitness Declaration form
  • Candidates must demonstrate understanding of professional dispositions expected of Professional educators.

The teacher education programs offered by Eastern Kentucky University and the College of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and/or the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). The initial teacher preparation programs and advanced programs are accredited by CAEP and approved by EPSB.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
1140 19th St NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-0077

The Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) has the authority and responsibility to “set standards for, approve, and evaluate college, university, and school district programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel” for Kentucky pursuant to KRS 161.028(1)(b). The EPSB’s process for approving educator preparation programs is generally set forth in 16 KAR 5:010 with the general requirements for all educator preparation programs set forth in 16 KAR 5:020 and 16 KAR 5:040. Kentucky Administrative Regulations – EPSB

The EPSB Division of Educator Preparation ensures that preparation programs for Kentucky educators meet established standards of quality. It facilitates the accreditation process, reviews programs and continuous assessment materials, and provides technical assistance for program improvement. All educator preparation programs offered at EKU are approved by EPSB.

EPSB Website: www.epsb.ky.gov

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Education and Applied Human Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to your enrollment advisor.

photo of john hepner

John Hepner

Enrollment Counselor

859-622-8610
John.Hepner@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

  • Whitney Cox

    EKU Graduate, Elementary Education, Middle Grades, School Leadership
    The degrees that I have been able to earn at EKU has helped me grow as an educator and future leader. I feel prepared and confident in my ability due to the instruction provided by the professors at EKU.

  • Tina G. Cornelius

    EKU MAEd School Librarian – Teacher Leader Student
    I have been a middle school teacher for 19 years. I plan to finish my last 8 years in education as a librarian. I am so proud to have three degrees from EKU and the first person in my family to go to college. I came from a small eastern Kentucky town and I have my amazing career and degrees to be proud of. I am excited to work with kids and other teachers as a media specialist as I finish my practicum and begin my new path.

  • Taylor Newton

    EKU MAEd School Librarian Student
    I had never taken online courses, even during my undergraduate time at EKU. I was nervous to transition to this style of learning. However, I was surprised to find all of the advantages to being a part of an online program! I am able to fit the coursework into my weekly schedule and be an active, engaged student!

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

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Thu
04

Fall 2025 Graduation

December 4, 2025 at – December 5, 2025 at calendar-multiday
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12

Provost's Leadership Institute

February 12, 2026 at – February 13, 2026 at calendar-multiday
Thu
19

High School Honor Band Festival

February 19, 2026 – February 21, 2026calendar-multiday
Mon
02

EKU Choirs: NYC Preview Concert

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03

EKU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Performance

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20

Middle School Honor Band Festival

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News & Updates

Hired: 5 of the Top Marketable Degrees for Career Success

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) ranks first among Kentucky’s public universities for employment in the state one year after graduation. With degree programs aligned to fit workforce needs, EKU graduates step confidently into careers with purpose and passion. Explore degree and career options in EKU’s computer science, engineering, business administration, healthcare administration and finance programs. Computer […]

EKU Researcher Leads Global Bee Conservation Efforts

20,000. That’s the number of described bee species worldwide. In tropical Costa Rica, there are almost 700. And Kentucky is home to approximately 400 bee species, according to the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves. With these bees working as powerful pollinators to support crop production, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Associate Professor Dr. Valerie Peters focuses […]

EKU Set to Celebrate Graduates at Fall 2025 Commencement

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) will celebrate students’ academic success during the fall 2025 commencement ceremonies on Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, at the EKU Center for the Arts. There are five ceremonies scheduled to honor graduates from the university’s six academic colleges, as well as master’s and doctoral graduates from all colleges.  The […]

Related Programs

Young student in classroom writes on board with teacher supervision.

Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)

Common Job Titles: Elementary, Middle or High School Teacher, Curriculum Specialist

Modalities: online

Credit Hours: 30-36

group of teacher administrators in lanyards talking and laughing while in a school office

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)

Common Job Titles: School Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel, School Superintendent

Modalities: online

Credit Hours: 41-52

Contact Information

School of Education

Combs Building
Room 427

213 Park Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-2154
tlel@eku.edu

Department Directory