Eastern Kentucky University | 859-622-1000 | admissions@eku.edu
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Take the Next Step in Your Career

For more than 100 years, Eastern Kentucky University has served as the school of opportunity for many students across the Commonwealth, United States, and internationally. EKU offers more than 90 graduate programs that are designed for working professionals. More than half of those options allow 100% online completion, enabling working professionals to take advantage of advanced technology and quality instruction when it is convenient for them. Earn your advanced degree from a distinguished and established institution committed to student success.

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Key Resources

Guides & Tutorials

Contact Information

Graduate School

Jones Building
Room 414

859-622-1742
graduateschool@eku.edu

Department Directory

Application Information

The application is free and only takes about 10 minutes to complete. For more details on how to apply select your admission type below.

Application Info

  • 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.

International Students Application Info

  • First-time students – a fully evaluated complete secondary school record reflecting a cumulative grade of 2.5 GPA equivalent or higher
  • Transfer students – official transcripts (and evaluations for credit taken outside the United States) for all college-level coursework
  • 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

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

Graduate deadlines vary by program. Program specific deadlines can be found on each program page.

Applicants meeting the minimum requirements for general admission to the Graduate School and any additional requirements for their selected graduate degree program are eligible for clear admission.

Minimum requirements for admission to EKU’s Graduate School:

  • Application for graduate admission
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
  • Overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5

Some degree programs may have additional or higher criteria for clear admission including a personal statement, writing samples or one of the following additional placement tests:

  • GRE: “Graduate Records Examination”. It includes three sections; Verbal Reasoning (V); Quantitative Reasoning (Q); and Analytical Writing (AW). For more information about the test, please visit the GRE website.
  • GMAT: “Graduate Management Admission Test”. It consists of four sections; Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Assessment, and Integrated Reasoning. For more information, please visit the GMAT website.

A department may waive the stipulated GPA requirements for clear admission for applicants having already earned a graduate degree from an accredited institution.

Tuition Information

Graduate Programs by Modality & Residency

EKU’s graduate programs are charged per credit hour based on the program and campus.

On-Campus Graduate Programs

ProgramTuition Per Credit Hour
Kentucky Residents
other than options below		$607
Non-Kentucky Residents
other than options below		$829
MBA$676
MA in Mental Health Counseling &
MA in Communication Disorders		$564
MAEd & MAT Programs$437*
MFA in Creative Writing$607
Psychology (PsyD)$746
Professional OTD – KY Residents$607
Professional OTD – Non-KY Residents$829
FeesCost
Special Use Fee$16.67/credit hour (max $150/semester)
Asset Preservation Fee$10/credit hour (max $150/semester)
Student Health Fee$150/semester
Eastern Experience Fee$250/semester
Required Textbooks$0
Housing & Food**$6,331
Transportation$804
Personal Expenses$1,104
Loan Fees+$44

* EKU is offering active Kentucky teachers a discounted tuition rate of $437 per credit hour in appreciation of their dedicated service to youth. To see eligibility criteria and limitations, visit the College of Education & Applied Human Sciences for details.

**For most Graduate Students, this is not a charge that will be assessed by EKU. Only for those living on-campus.
+These costs represent estimates and will not be charged by EKU. Loan fees are only for students offered federal student loans

Online Graduate Programs

ProgramTuition Per Credit Hour
Business Administration, Psychology (ABA Concentration) or Nursing$733
College of Education & Applied Human Sciences (Except MAT Non-Option 6)$437*
MAT Non-Option 6$564
Education (Ed.D.)$636
Nursing Practice (DNP) &
Post-Professional OTD		$746
All Other Online Graduate Programs$676
FeesCost
Special Use Fee$16.67/credit hour (max $150/semester)
Asset Preservation Fee$10/credit hour (max $150/semester)
Eastern Experience Fee+ $250/semester
Required Textbooks$0
Housing & Food**$6,331
Transportation**$804
Personal Expenses**$1,104
Loan Fees**$44

*EKU is offering active Kentucky teachers a discounted tuition rate of $437 per credit hour in appreciation of their dedicated service to youth. To see eligibility criteria and limitations, visit the College of Education & Applied Human Sciences for details.
+Does not apply to students taking less than 5 credit hours or Dual Credit students.

**For most Graduate Students, Housing & Meals is not a charge that will be assessed by EKU. Only for those living on-campus. Other costs represent estimates and will not be charged by EKU. Loan fees are only for students offered federal student loans

Fee Descriptions

Whether you are just beginning your journey with us or a returning student, our pledge is to provide you with not only a world-class education but also the best possible college experience outside our classrooms and laboratories – one that makes your short time with us memorable and positively shapes you and your future in every imaginable way. In order to do that, we need an environment and facilities that equal the high quality of our academic programs and faculty and match the level of our commitment to your academic success and personal growth.

In spring 2015, the EKU Student Senate approved (and the Board of Regents and Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education ratified) a fixed, Special-Use Fee of $150 per semester that goes toward improving, renovating and/or constructing student-centered facilities. This Special-Use Fee is applied to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students and pro-rated for all part-time students based on number of credit hours. Part-time undergraduates will be assessed $12.50 per credit hour; part-time graduate students will be assessed $16.67 per credit hour. The Fee is applied regardless of where or how you take your classes; online and regional campus students are sharing equally in the cost. In the interest of fairness, no appeals or exemptions from the fee assessment will be considered. The Special-Use Fee is not applicable to dual-credit hours.

Two projects have now been renovated and/or constructed and funded with debt service funding provided by the Special-Use Fee. Students now enjoy a new, much larger recreation and wellness center and a renovated student union facility.

Beginning with the fall 2018 semester, Eastern Kentucky University implemented an Asset Preservation Fee. This Fee, approved by the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education (CPE) in February 2018, and also by the EKU Board of Regents in June 2018, is $10 per credit hour, capped at $150 per semester. The Fee is applied regardless of where or how you take your classes; online and regional campus students are sharing equally in the cost. In the interest of fairness, no appeals or exemptions from the fee assessment will be considered. The Asset Preservation Fee is not applicable to dual-credit hours.

Funds generated by the Asset Preservation Fee are restricted for University Education & General capital asset preservation and renovation projects. Funds will be used only to provide for much-needed maintenance and preservation of instructional, operational and common-use areas on campus and will not be used for new building projects or other new initiatives. The overarching purpose for the Asset Preservation Fee is to aid the University in being the best steward of the facilities and spaces already on our campus. Project priorities will be established by University Administration and will be reviewed and approved by the EKU Board of Regents prior to expenditure.

The Exceptional Eastern Experience, or E3, fee is used to support resources that benefit all EKU students. In addition to concerts and athletic events that all students are welcome to attend, the fee supports 24/7 access to mental health and counseling services.

The Student Health Fee supports, sustains, and enhances services for the office of Student Health Services, the Counseling Center, and other support services at EKU. It is charged to all Full-Time students in at least one on-campus course.

Graduate School Values

Quality programs begin with quality faculty. EKU faculty are experts in their respective fields and are evaluated regularly to ensure top-notch and effective instruction. Demonstrating a commitment to scholarship, EKU’s faculty instruct nationally accredited programs that change the trajectory of our graduates’ careers.

Quality instruction leads to thousands of EKU Graduate Alumni who are leaders in fields such as business, healthcare, public service, education, and more.

EKU graduate courses are structured to meet the needs of working professionals.

The coupling of an established brick-and-motor institution of higher education with cutting edge learning technologies and approaches enables growth and success for our graduate students.

EKU offers courses year-round, allowing students to choose either a fast track or a more traditional pace to a degree or certificate. In the end, your education timeline is up to you!

Our graduate tuition is highly competitive with other institutions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is significantly less than many online programs offered by private and for-profit institutions. And textbooks are free!

In fact, we are now waiving the graduate school application fee, making it a great time to apply!

Now you have a fantastic opportunity to become a Colonel! What are you waiting for?

Upcoming Events

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Thu
04

Fall 2025 Graduation

December 4, 2025 at - December 5, 2025 at calendar-multiday
Thu
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

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Experience EKU at your convenience using our Virtual Tour. You’ll find information about campus housing, academic buildings, athletic facilities and so much more. After taking the virtual tour, be sure to schedule a time to visit campus and apply for admission.

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