Academic Catalog

Admission to the University

EKU Campus

General Requirements for Undergraduate Admission

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

  • August 1 for fall enrollment
  • December 1 for spring enrollment
  • May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit your materials noted below electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

Admission Requirements for First-Time Freshmen

Standard Admission

Students who meet the criteria of unweighted high school grade point average of 2.5-4.00 on a 4.00 scale will be granted Standard Admission.

Success First Admission

Students who have a cumulative unweighted high school grade point average of 2.0-2.49 on a 4.0 scale will be granted Success First Admission and must successfully complete directed coursework during the first academic year.

  1. Note: All admitted students must meet the state-mandated college readiness standards for all subjects prior to registering for classes, or they must enroll in required preparatory coursework beginning their first academic semester.

    While ACT scores are not required, students are encouraged to submit scores for proper course placement in English, mathematics, and reading courses. If scores are not provided, students will be required to prove proficiency through testing or appropriate course completion. Questions may be directed to the Office of Admissions, 859-622-1892.

    Although test scores are not used for admission purposes, they are required for course placement and academic readiness purposes. Students will be required to provide proof of high school graduation or GED prior to attending classes and disbursement of financial aid.

Admission on Appeal

Students who apply but are denied admission to the University may submit an appeal to the Admissions Appeals Committee. New first time freshmen must have a 2.0 minimum GPA in order to appeal their admission decision. The committee will carefully consider all aspects of the applicant’s situation, including academic record, ACT or SAT scores that indicate the applicant has met benchmarks in the academic readiness areas of English, mathematics, and/or reading and desire to attend EKU, as presented in the appeal request. If granted admission by the committee, students will partner with an academic success coach and sign a Student Success Agreement specifying academic expectations and requirements for remaining enrolled at the University.  

The admissions appeal information regarding the process can be found on the EKU Admissions website. For more information regarding the Student Success Agreement, see that portion of the catalog. 

Requirements for International Students

International applicants must also submit: 

  1. International application for admission 
  2. TOEFL Scores-minimum requirement 530 (paper based), 195 (computer based), 95 or higher on the Duolingo English Test, or 71 (internet based with no band score below 16) OR Official IELTS Scores- must have at least 5.0 in all categories and 6.0 overall. Prospective Japanese students may qualify with an EIKEN test score of Pre-1. Eastern Kentucky University will accept completion of level 112 from any English Language Services (ELS) program in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS Scores. Students may also submit ACT or SAT scores with reading and English scores for consideration as demonstrated language proficiency. ACT sub-scores of an 18 in English and 19 in Reading OR SAT Evidence-Based Reading + Writing score of 510 or higher will also be sufficient to meet the English Language and Reading requirements.  Applicants may petition to appeal their English Language Requirement, with significant justification, (i.e. test scores, US coursework, or work experience in English). An appeals committee will meet to determine eligibility and conduct an oral and written interview with the applicant.  
  3. Declaration and Certification of Finances and a supporting bank letter, showing financial support to attend Eastern Kentucky University. 
  4. Official Secondary School Record(s) provided to the Office of Admissions with a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. If transcripts are not in English or 4.00 grade scale, an official evaluation and translation must be provided. Photocopies are not acceptable unless they are certified copies. 
  5. Official College or University transcripts (Photocopies of academic documents are not considered official unless they carry an original signature and stamp of authorization from the issuing institution). You must have a minimum institutional GPA of 2.0 and at least 24 credit hours from an accredited institution. University level courses taken at institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an outside NACES (https://www.naces.org/) or AACRAO affiliated agency. Questions regarding the process of foreign transcript evaluation may be directed to the Office of Admissions. Photo copies are not accepted.

Requirements for Admission as a Transfer Student

To be admitted as a transfer student, you must:

  1. Submit a final official transcript from each regionally accredited institution you have attended. Eastern Kentucky University does not accept credits from institutions that are not regionally accredited. Note that the transcript must be sent from the student’s institution to Eastern Kentucky University’s Office of Admissions. Hand-carried transcripts that are not sealed will not be accepted. See Section Five of this catalog for information regarding transfer course credit.
  2. Have a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale on all work from accredited institutions.
  3. Provide evidence that you are eligible to return to any institution you have previously attended when good academic standing is not indicated on the official transcript.
  4. Students with less than 24 college academic credits awarded since high school graduation will be considered first time freshmen for admissions purposes and will need to submit high school transcripts. While ACT scores are not required for transfer students with less than 24 credit hours earned since high school graduation, students are encouraged to submit scores for proper course placement in English, mathematics, and reading courses. If proficiency in English, mathematics, and/or reading cannot be established by a review of the college transfer record, students will be required to prove proficiency through testing or appropriate course completion. Questions may be directed to the Office of Admissions, 859-622-1892.

    Note: If you are admitted as a transfer student, your institutional GPA will include hours attempted and quality points earned from all regionally accredited institutions. The Office of Advising & Career Services and the academic department of your major will determine the applicability of your courses to your academic program.

    Note: Eastern Kentucky University subscribes fully to the policies of the “General Education Transfer Agreement” of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Thus, Eastern Kentucky University will apply courses transferred from Kentucky public institutions to its general education requirements in accord with those policies.

Requirements for Readmission

All previously enrolled EKU undergraduate students who have not attended Eastern Kentucky University for a period longer than 24 months must apply and be approved for readmission to the University before being allowed to continue taking classes.

Students who wish to return to EKU but were academically suspended or dismissed with an institutional GPA of less than a 1.5 must appeal for readmission through the Registrar’s Office, in addition to submitting an application for readmission to the Office of Admissions. The form and instructions for an appeal for readmission can be found on the EKU Registrar’s website.

If the student’s appeal is approved he/she will be readmitted upon submitting an application for readmission. Both the application to the Office of Admissions, and the appeal to the Registrar’s Office may be submitted simultaneously.

If their appeal to return to EKU is approved these students will return on Academic Probation status. They will be assigned an academic coach in the Office of Advising and Career Services, and will develop an academic success plan with their coach before being allowed to register for classes. Continued enrollment is contingent upon adherence to their signed academic Student Success Agreement and meeting EKU Academic Standards Policy.

If a student has attended another institution since leaving EKU, and has been out of the University for longer than 24 months, his/her return to EKU will be considered under the readmission guidelines above instead of the student being considered a transfer student.

Students who were dismissed under the former Developmental Dismissal policy must submit documentation (a transcript or official test scores) indicating that proficiency has been earned for any needed developmental coursework before they may be readmitted to the University.

See the “Stopping Out” procedure in Section Five for additional information.

Other Types of Admission

1. EKU Dual Credit

EKU’s dual credit program is open to high school juniors and seniors, residing within Kentucky, who meet eligibility requirements, and whose school is partnering with EKU through a memorandum of agreement. Dual credit programs are designed to reduce degree cost and time to degree for Kentucky students.

Dual Credit students may enroll in a maximum of 2 courses per fall and spring semester of their junior and senior years in high school at the reduced dual credit tuition rate. Dual credit students are enrolled as non-degree seeking students in order to maintain freshman eligibility after high school graduation. Enrollment in dual credit courses as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission as a degree seeking student. A maximum of eight courses in total may be taken at the dual credit tuition rate.

Students may enroll at any EKU campus offering applicable courses. Courses may include general education courses, career pathway courses or departmentally approved introductory courses for specific majors. Students may attend approved EKU courses on high school campuses via face-to-face, telepresence, or online instruction.

Students are required to meet all course pre-requisites. Students are not permitted to enroll in academic readiness corequisite courses.

EKU Dual Credit courses offered in the high school are to be composed only of students enrolled for EKU Credit.

To qualify for the EKU Dual Credit Program, high school juniors or seniors must have a cumulative 2.5 weighted high school GPA.

To apply for EKU Dual Credit, students must submit an online Dual Credit application, ACT scores, a high school transcript and a consent form (located on the EKU Dual Credit website) by the application deadline.

While ACT scores are not required for admission purposes, students are encouraged to submit scores for proper course placement in English, mathematics, and reading courses.

Dual Credit students will attend special advising sessions and register for courses during a specified period prior to the beginning of an academic semester. Advising and registration sessions will be available on each of EKU’s participating campuses.

Continued participation in EKU’s Dual Credit program is dependent upon successful completion of courses. Dual Credit students are expected to maintain a 2.0 minimum institutional GPA. Students who earn a “D” or an “F” in a course(s) will be required to successfully repeat the course(s) and earn a 2.0 term GPA in order to continue in the Dual Credit program. Students who elect to repeat a course will contact the Office of the Registrar for registration approval and assistance. Students repeating courses will be charged full dual credit tuition.

All dual credit students are responsible for the cost of tuition, textbooks (including digital texts), course materials/supplies, and parking permits when applicable. Students, 16 and older, electing to use the Student Recreation Center may request that this charge be added to their accounts.

Note: KYOTE test scores, EKU Placement Test scores, ALEKS Mathematics scores, or PSAT scores may be substituted for ACT sub-scores. Additional information on academic readiness scores is available from EKU Academic Testing: 859-622-1281 or visit https://academicreadiness.eku.edu/

Exceptions to the high school GPA requirement for juniors and seniors will be taken into consideration upon the written recommendation of the high school principal. The request will be routed through the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academics and Provost for final approval. High schools may have a maximum of 2% of their EKU Dual Credit enrollment (or two students, whichever is higher) participating under the high school GPA exception.

2. Early High School Graduates

Applicants must meet full admissions requirements to the university:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • A complete application consists of:
    • EKU Application (apply.eku.edu)
    • An Official High School Transcript
  • Applicants must have a date of graduation prior to the start of your intended term of entry. If the high school transcript does not include an expected graduation date, we may need additional time to follow up with your high school.
  • The high school transcript must reflect that the student has completed at least 75% of our recommended high school course work (equivalent to completion of junior year) before we can make decision. For most early graduates, we expect to see at least six semesters of high school work completed, though we may review transcripts with just five semesters completed for applicants graduating a full year early.
  • A letter from the applicant’s counselor, on official letterhead, stating that early graduation has been approved by the High School. If the student is completing early graduation through the State of Kentucky, a Letter of Intent must be completed as well.
  • Admission is conditional until a final, official high school transcript has been received. Admitted students are not able to register for the second semester of enrollment until a final, official transcript has been received.

3. Visiting Students

If you are a student at another institution and wish to enroll at Eastern Kentucky University as a visiting, or “transient,” student, you may be admitted by submitting an official transcript or a statement indicating that you are eligible to return to your institution.

4. Admission as a Non-Degree Student

Upon submission of an application, you may be admitted as a non-degree student provide you have graduated from high school or earned a G.E.D. If so admitted,

  1. Your eligibility for enrollment in specific courses will be dependent upon meeting the stated course prerequisites.
  2. You must meet with an academic advisor to be advised and receive a RAC number;
  3. You will not be eligible to receive financial assistance awards.

If you subsequently decide to pursue a degree, you must reapply for admission as a degree seeker. If you are thus admitted,

  1. You will be required to remediate all pre-college curriculum deficiencies and to satisfy all Eastern Kentucky University academic readiness requirements.

5. O’Donnell Scholarship Recipients

If you are at least 65 years of age, you may be admitted to Eastern Kentucky University with a waiver of tuition. You need submit only an application for admission.

6. Home-Schooled Students

Eastern Kentucky University applies the same admissions requirements to home-schooled students as those who graduate from a public or private high school.

Home-schooled students are subject to the secondary education standards established by the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education. This includes meeting the curriculum guidelines of the State approved Pre-College Curriculum.

In order to gain admission to Eastern Kentucky University, in addition to the application and application fee, these students must submit a copy of their official transcript demonstrating they have met the PCC curriculum and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. They must also submit an official ACT or SAT score report.

7. International Baccalaureate

Students who complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma may present their official exam results for demonstration of completion of secondary education. Based on the exam scores received, students will qualify for advanced academic placement (See Section Four General Academic Information or www.testing.eku.edu).