Office of Graduate Programs

F.A.Q.'s

How do I pay for the application fee?

A $25 fee for online applications or a $40 fee for paper applications is assessed each time an application is submitted. This will occur if you are changing programs, changing student classification (e.g. non-degree to degree, Masters to Rank I) or reapplying for admission. 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. Please make certain your social security number is on the check or money order (the only two methods of payment accepted).

NOTE: The Doctorate in Education program requires a $50 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.

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. Unclassified graduate students those who do not qualify for graduate courses but are taking them anyway 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.

What is NKU's Institution Code for the GRE/TOEFL?

1574 

Can I apply to more than one program?

Yes. Contact the Graduate Admissions office for more information.

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. 

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.

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