University of Kentucky
131 Taylor Education Bd.
Lexington, KY 40506-0001
phone: 859 (UKY) 257-3178
fax: 859 (UKY) 257-4243
Frequently Asked Admissions Questions
Q: How many students are accepted?
A: We have recently moved to a fixed admissions calendar of fall and spring admissions. So in a given admission cycle, the number we accept will depend on how many students are applying to a particular area of study and how this matches with our faculty resources.
Q: I'd like to get started early. Does your department allow post-baccalaureate (POBA) students to take EPE classes?
A: Yes, we allow POBA students to enroll in most of our courses with the exception of EPE601 Proseminar. Occasionally we will restrict enrollment to fall classes to assure seats for our incoming students.
Q: How long/how many credit hours are required? What courses are required?
A: Our master’s degree programs average 31 credit hours of coursework. Students concentrating in the field of Student Affairs usually take a few more credit hours to include a professional practice internship. Requirements for both Masters degrees include a one credit hour pro-seminar to orient you to the department, at least 3 credit hours of inquiry-based coursework, and six hours of coursework outside the College of Education.
Both our doctoral programs average 43 credit hours. This includes 12-15 credit hours of inquiry-based coursework, at least six hours outside the College of Education, and a program of study organized around the student’s topical and conceptual interests. Doctoral program plans, including the final number of credit hours required for degree, must be approved by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee (typically after about 18 hours at UK). Doctoral students are also required to take a one-credit-hour pro-seminar.
Up to nine credit hours of graduate coursework not previously applied to a prior degree may be transferred into any of our degree program.
Q: I see in the program planning worksheet that Masters students are required to take courses outside the College of Education. Which classes are required?
A: With the advice of their advisor, we encourage all our students to take courses in other departments to provide either breadth or depth to their program. Many of our students take courses in Sociology and Anthropology. We also have students taking courses in the Martin School of Public Policy, Agriculture, and Communications.
Q: How many hours is full time? Can I pursue my degree part-time?
A: A load of nine credit hours is considered full-time by the University of Kentucky Graduate School. Enrollment in more than 12 hours per semester requires the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Most of our students, however, are working on their degrees part-time, taking advantage of tuition reimbursement programs at UK and nearby institutions or working in the field in which they hope to advance. Part-time students typically take one or two courses (3-6 hours) a semester.
Q: Will your class schedule fit my work/family schedule?
A: Most EPE courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening (4-6:30pm or 7-9:30pm). Other department courses are offered during lunch hours, which can be convenient for students working in Lexington. EPE Courses are also offered in the May intercession (Summer I) and during Summer II: four weeks, four days a week for 2-2.5 hours. Occasionally courses are offered via distance education (on-line) or in a weekend hybrid model.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: Current tuition rates and fees can be found here: http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/feesgen.htm. All questions regarding tuition and fees should be addressed to the Registrar’s office.
Q: What kind of funding support is available?
A: The department assists students in finding funding, but does not promise funding to all admitted students. There is an array of assistantship opportunities in the department and across the university. EPE students do not have to work only in the department; in fact, we encourage diverse experience. Assistantships at UK typically include tuition, a stipend, and graduate student health insurance, but this varies across departments and according to funding source.
EPE currently offers six teaching assistantships (TA’s) in EPE301 Education and American Culture and EPE174 Theories of College Student Success. Some of our students also assist in the teaching of EPE/EDL 557 Gathering and Analyzing Educational Data.
Typically at least two students per semester are working with faculty members as research assistants (RA’s); however, this varies according to faculty needs. EPE students have also been successful in getting research assistantships in other departments in the College of Education.
Our students are also successful at earning graduate Fellowships such as the Lymon T. Johnson Fellowship and SREB awards. Our students also regularly win scholarship competitions for additional support.
Students with an interest in academic or student affairs may be interested in Graduate Assistantships (GA’s). Our department has an agreement with the Division of Student Affairs to place students in units across campus to increase professional development opportunities. These placements can include: student leadership, residential life, athletics, etc. Our students are also successful at finding positions in Academic Enhancement and Institutional Research.
A complete listing of opportunities will be sent to students after admission. Students are responsible for contacting hiring departments directly for information about the assistantships and application procedures.
