Office of Graduate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying

What GPA do I need to be accepted?

Each program sets its GPA requirements. The base undergraduate GPA requirement for those who want to be a non-degree student is 2.5. Some programs will look at your entire academic history; some will only look at the last 60 hours of your coursework, where most of the classes are in your major.  Some use a formula based on your GPA and GRE. You should look on the Admission Requirements web page or the program’s website for guidance.

When do I apply?

Your application should be submitted before you have any other documents sent to the school. Think of your application as a folder; your letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. are filed inside the folder. Without that folder, your documents will just sit on a desk until the application is received. 

The Decision Process

Decisions about admission into a program are generally made by the program, not the admissions office. The decision is based on your GPA and the quality of the courses taken in your undergraduate program, the test scores, and the other materials you submit. Some program may also consider any professional experience relevant to the degree.  

The admission decision is made by the program and the program director whp then relay that decision to the Office of Graduate Programs. The admission decision may take some time.  Be patient.

When Can I Enroll in Classes?

Applicants must be admitted into a program or accepted as a Non-Degree Seeking student before they are allowed to register for classes. Simply submitting an application is not sufficient.

Term of Admission

When you submit your application you are asked to state the term you intend to begin your graduate studies. If you cannot begin your studies in the term you applied for, you will need to contact the Office of Graduate Programs to request a change of term.

Name Change Issues

To protect students, more and more documents are being sent without a Social Security number. To ensure that your letters of reference, transcripts and any other admission documents are attached to your application, be sure to include in your application and correspondence your birth name and any other name that will be on these documents. You should not send e-mail correspondence with your full Social Security number to schools. Use only the last four digits if you must include your Social Security number.

How do I pay for the application fee?

A $40 fee for online applications is assessed each time an application is submitted. This fee is assess for every application you submit unless you have received a degree from NKU. The fee is applicable also if you applied for admission for one semester but have not enrolled within one year of that semester. No application will be considered complete unless this fee has been paid.


NOTE: The Doctorate in Education program requires a $55 application fee.

Can the application fee be waived?

No application will be considered complete unless this fee has been paid. The only exception: If you received a bachelors or masters degree from NKU, you do not need to pay an application fee.

What will it cost to attend NKU?

The tuition structure at NKU is based on a flat tuition rate per semester hour. You will be charged for each credit hour you take; there is no cap.  The good news is that the tuition rates for graduate students is the only price you will have to pay - there are no additional fees except for parking. View tuition rates on the Bursars' site.

Is financial aid available for graduate study? 

Yes. NKU participates in a variety of financial aid programs that are designed to assist students in meeting educational expenses. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is responsible for administering and coordinating the assistance programs. For additional information, call (859) 572-5143. Students classified who are enrolled in classes but have not been admitted into a degree program (e.g. those in certificate programs or classified as non-degree) are not eligible for financial aid or veterans benefits. You are eligible for the metropolitan tuition rate. You will be required to submit a new application if you decide to pursue a degree rather than remain unclassified.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Yes. Simply return to the applicaton page and add a new application. Separate applications are required for those applying for several different master's programs or a master's degree and a graduate certificate. An application fee is assess for each application you submit..

I have attended graduate school in the past (or am attending currently). Will my credits transfer? 

All graduate students who want to transfer graduate credit from another institution to NKU must follow the guidelines listed below: 

General guidelines

  • An official transcript must be received prior to consideration of the transfer request. The transcript must clearly show that the course work to be transferred was taken for graduate credit. 
  • Only credits earned from a regionally accredited institution may be transferred.
  • Only courses in which a B or better was earned may be transferred.
  • The grades in these courses will not be factored into your NKU GPA unless the courses were taken as part of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities.
  • The transferred work can be no older than six years at the time of your graduation.
  • Documentation of course information must be submitted with request for transfer. This documentation can include a course syllabus or catalog description.
  • NKU is on the semester system. Courses taken in a different system (such as quarter) will not be transferred hour for hour. One quarter hour is equal to .66 of a semester hour. 

For transfer courses taken prior to matriculation into Northern Kentucky University:

  • You should submit your request to transfer course work to your program director within the first semester you are enrolled in the program. Doing this will ensure that you will know the status of your transfer work early in your career. Waiting to submit your course work until you are close to graduation could result in a postponement of your graduation if the courses are not approved. 
  • For transfer courses taken after matriculation into your NKU graduate program:
    • Do not take a course for transfer without first getting written permission from your program director. As soon as the course grade has been entered, have an official copy of that transcript sent to the Office of Graduate Programs and to your program director.
    • Submit the Transfer Credit Authorization form as soon as possible to ensure a timely decision. 

For transferring courses from NKU to another school:

  • You may be admitted as a visiting student if you are enrolled in a graduate program at another regionally accredited institution and want to take a course from NKU for the purpose of transferring that credit to your home institution. The following materials must be submitted for consideration: 
  • a) The Application for Graduate Admission with an application fee attached.
  • b) The Visiting Student Application (please request directly from the Office of Graduate Programs or download from our website). The Visiting Student Application must be signed by the director of the graduate program at your home institution. 

If you have questions, call The Office of Graduate Programs at (859) 572-6364 or send an e-mail.

 

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