About

Welcome to the University of Kentucky Graduate School! We are the hub that connects all graduate students and all graduate programs, from the time you submit your application until you receive your degree—and after as well, while you pursue the career you want.

If you are encountering the graduate offerings at UK for the first time, you will notice that this university offers degrees and certificates in nearly every advanced field. You might also notice degree programs that are entirely unfamiliar. I encourage you to look around, as the program that is right for you might be less familiar at first.

While you are applying to UK, you can be sure that the Graduate School staff are here to help you navigate the process. We want you to feel confident as you present your qualifications for evaluation by the faculty of the degree program to which you have applied.

If you are already a student at UK, the staff of the Graduate School are with you every step of the way. We offer support for teaching assistants and dissertation/thesis writers; courses toward a Certificate in College Teaching and Learning; and guidance for careers inside and outside the academy. We ensure that your advisory committee is set as you pass the milestones on your way to the degree, and help you keep an eye on obstacles you might encounter. We offer some fellowship support, and (if you have received an offer of a stipend to defray your costs of attendance) provide appropriate tuition scholarships, too. We work with your programs to ensure they are up to date on university policies that affect you. And we keep you informed about all that is happening among graduate students at UK, via our biweekly newsletter.

Whatever your goals are in advanced education, I know you’ll find that the University of Kentucky allows you to pursue them.

Sincerely,

Padraic Kenney

Dean, The Graduate School