University of Kentucky – Lexington

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Updated August 7, 2020

The University of Kentucky - Lexington is the flagship campus in the University of Kentucky system and the oldest college in that network. Founded in 1865 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, it had a campus in Ashland. That campus later split into two separate colleges, which became Transylvania University and UK. Undergrads can enroll in one of 16 colleges that offer more than 90 degree programs, but the university also offers more than 160 programs for doctoral and graduate students as well as several professional programs. Many people know the college because of its sports teams, which use the Wildcats mascot. These teams won more NCAA championships than almost any other university in the country, especially in terms of men's basketball.

UK has a strong reputation as one of the top colleges in the United States and as one of the best public colleges in the country. It ranked as one of the country's best colleges on the lists released by Washington Monthly, Forbes, ARWU and U.S. News & World Report. Other ranking organizations also listed UK among the best colleges around the globe. More than 60% of those attending UK come from Kentucky, but the remaining students come from other states as well as other countries. Its total enrollment is now more than 30,000 students, and it now sees more than 5,000 incoming freshmen enroll each year too.

University of Kentucky - Lexington Accreditation Details

As the University of Kentucky is one of the largest colleges in the entire state, it makes sense that it would have different types of accreditation. Its regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which requires that UK renew its accreditation and pass an extensive renewal process every decade. More than 20 professional organizations and agencies accredited more than 30 of the degree programs that UK offers too. Some of those organizations include:

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology, Inc. (ABET)
  • Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation
  • American Society of Landscape Architects
  • American Bar Association
  • American Psychological Association

University of Kentucky - Lexington Application Requirements

UK is one of more than 700 colleges across the country that uses the Hobson Apply Yourself Application System. This system makes it easier for students to apply to the colelges of their choice online and to apply to more than one of those schools too. Prospective students can use this system to apply for admission to more than one of the graduate programs that UK offers too, but there is a $65 application fee required of each application. Students can begin working on the application immediately after setting up a password and user name.

Graduate students must already have a bachelor's degree at the time that they start a program at UK, but the university will accept students who will have that degree completed before classes start. It asks for an official transcript that shows the student is on track to graduate and a second transcript later that shows the student did graduate. They will need to submit at least one letter of recommendation and a GRE test score too. The library science program requires that students score at least 150 on the verbal portion of this exam and at least 140 on the quantitative section. Students will also need to score a minimum of 4.0 on the analytical writing section of the GRE and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Tuition and Financial Aid

As the graduate program in library science is available online, students can save money when they enroll because they do not pay for on-campus housing. As a state school, UK charges Kentucky residents a lower tuition rate. Those students pay $6,118 per semester to take a full course load. The university charges nonresidents a flat rate of $14,190 per semester for the same course load. This rate applies to any student who enrolls in a graduate program and did not live in Kentucky for at least one full year beforehand. Other graduate programs may cost more, including its MBA and medical programs.

Students often worry about how they will pay for graduate school, which is why UK recommends that students use the FAFSA and file a copy of that document as soon as possible with UK selected as the school they want to attend. The university will use this form to decide how much a student will need to pay out of pocket for graduate school and what types of financial aid will bring down those costs. Graduate students generally qualify for unsubsidized student loans, and the government allows students to borrow just over $20,000 a year. UK will also accept alternative and private student loans as well as grants from different sources.

Library Science Program

The library science graduate program offered by the University of Kentucky is available through its College of Communication and Information. This accredited program is one of the only ones in the entire nation that allows students to complete a full degree online. Those enrolled in the online program pay the same tuition rate that Kentucky residents do, no matter where they might live. U.S. News & World Report ranked this program among the top five health library programs in the nation. Taking classes online gives students the chance to gain experience after college in jobs that they keep working in while in graduate school. UK also offers a spring break program that allows students to spend their spring breaks gaining more experience.

This program includes four core courses in library science management, information retrieval, information in society and information access. Students must also take one information technology class and seven electives to complete 36 credits. They can do an independent study project or take a practicum course in place of an elective. All library science students must do training with Office Suite programs as well.

Related Resource: 30 Best Affordable Online RN to MSN Degree Programs

UK offers some unique option for these students like dual degree options. Students can double major in a program available through its Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literature and Cultures. There is also a program available for those who want to work in a school library, which will include some fieldwork. The University of Kentucky - Lexington library science programs cover both online and offline information.

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