Graduate School Admissions

Spring 2026

International Deadline - September 15, 2025

Domestic Deadline - December 12, 2025 (Programs may have earlier deadlines)

Applicants for Readmission - December 12, 2025

Postbaccalaureate Student Application Deadline - December 15, 2025

Many programs have earlier deadlines.

International Deadline - January 15, 2026 (Programs may have earlier deadlines)

Domestic Deadline - April 18, 2026 (Programs may have earlier deadlines)

Applicants for Readmission - April 18, 2026

Postbaccalaureate Student Application Deadline - May 4, 2026

International Deadline - April 15, 2026 (Programs may have earlier deadlines)

Domestic Deadline - July 24, 2026 (Programs may have earlier deadlines)

Applicants for Readmission - July 24, 2026

Postbaccalaureate Student Application Deadline - August 3, 2026

Seniors at the University of Kentucky lacking no more than 6 credit hours for graduation and having an undergraduate average of at least 2.75 on all work attempted may register in the Graduate School in conditional status with the consent of the undergraduate college dean, the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The total load of such students may not exceed 12 credit hours. Graduate credit will be allowed for each credit hour of graduate work beyond the six or fewer credit hours needed to complete undergraduate requirements. Requirements for the undergraduate degree must be completed during the semester in which the student is allowed to register for part-time graduate work. Students applying for admission to the Graduate School under these conditions must fill out a petition form listing the course or courses to be taken to complete the undergraduate requirements 

Graduating Seniors as Part-Time Graduate Students form

Students who are enrolled in a graduate program at another institution and plan to attend the University of Kentucky as Visiting Students need not submit transcripts. Students must, however, submit a completed Visiting Student form signed by the Dean of the college of their home institution as part of their application. Visiting Student admission is for one semester only and credit earned in that status is not applicable to a University of Kentucky degree.

** GRE scores are NOT required for admission to Social Work (M.S.W. only), Rehabilitation Counseling and Dentistry (domestic students only) or for admission as a post-baccalaureate, non-degree-seeking, fifth year, rank I or other certification student. Some programs require GMAT rather than GRE scores including Accounting (M.S.) and Business Administration (M.B.A. or Ph.D.). GMAT or GRE is accepted by Economics (Ph.D.), Health Administration (M.H.A.), Public Administration (M.P.A. or Ph.D.) and Public Health (M.P.H. or Ph.D.; scores are not required for applicants with an M.D., D.M.D., D.D.S., Pharm.D., D.V.M., D.O., D.N.P., D.Sc., or Ph.D.).

If you are an enrolled graduate student at the University of Kentucky and you sit out for one or more semesters you will need to complete a new application and pay the application fee in order to be considered for readmission. In many instances you can avoid this requirement by requesting a “leave of absence”. In addition to avoiding the application process, this status will allow you to priority register in preparation for your return.

Requesting Leave of Absence

Procedurally, you should contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to seek approval for the leave prior to the beginning of the semester in question*. Leave of Absence must now be submitted via the appropriate Admissions Officer. You may request no more than two consecutive and four total semesters in leave of absence status. Post-qualifying doctoral students are not eligible for the leave of absence. Students needing to request a leave of absence because of pregnancy or parental status, should submit a request to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Equal Opportunity will work with the student to see if Title IX related Pregnancy and Parenting accommodations are appropriate which may include a leave of absence.

International students considering a leave of absence are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with the UK International Center (formerly the Office of International Affairs), Department of Immigration Services prior to making a formal request.

Readmission

Applications for readmission must be submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester. Individual programs may have earlier deadlines.

*Post baccalaureate students who need to request a leave of absence should contact their admissions officer directly.

Apply Here

The University of Kentucky’s Accelerated Master’s Pathways (AMP) gives highly motivated students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years, instead of six. Qualified students can begin earning graduate credit during their undergraduate programs, allowing them to maximize their time on campus and return on their educational investment – earning up to 12 dual credit hours at no additional cost. **AMP students do NOT apply to The Graduate School until their senior year. 

* Time to degree completion may vary based on the program. AMP allows students to complete both degrees in less time than students not participating in AMP.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL AMP PROGRAM DETAILS