Eastern Kentucky University

Updated August 6, 2020

Eastern Kentucky University began in 1906 with legislation enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly. The school was originally known as the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and the Normal School Commission chose the campus of the old Central University as the location. Initially, the focus of the school was educating teachers and offered two-year teaching degrees.

In 1922, the school was authorized to grant four-year degrees and the name changed to the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College, becoming the Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1930. In 1935, the school added a graduate program and, in 1948, the school became Eastern Kentucky State College. In 1966, it was renamed Eastern Kentucky University.

US News & World Report has ranked the online graduate program in education as one of the best online programs in the country.

Eastern Kentucky University Accreditation Details

Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation informs parents, students and employers that graduates of the school have been provided the tools and knowledge to become leaders in their field of study. In addition to regional accreditation, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following industry-specific organizations:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
American Council for Construction Education
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs – Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for EMT Paramedic
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council for Education for Public Health
Council on Education of the Deaf
Council on Social Work Education
Federal Aviation Administration
International Association of Counseling Services
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of School Psychologists
National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
National Recreation and Park Administration
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
Professional Golfers Association of America
Public Relations Society of America

Eastern Kentucky University Application Requirements

Students who have earned less than 23 college credit hours after high school graduation are considered freshmen at Easter Kentucky University. Students must complete an online application and provide official high school transcripts. Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation must submit official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must also provide official ACT or SAT scores.

Students who have earned more than 23 credits after high school graduation may be admitted as transfer students. They must complete an online application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all previous college work.

Graduate students must complete an online application and submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. One transcript must display the conferring of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students must provide official GRE, MAT or GMAT scores. Some programs also require letters of recommendation as part of the admission process.

Eastern Kentucky University Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition for Kentucky residents is $650 per credit hour and $825 for non-residents. Online undergraduate tuition is $409 per credit hour except for the RN to BSN program which is $460 per credit hour. Master's degree programs are as follows:

College of Justice and Safety, College of Sciences, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and College of Business and Technology – $611 per credit hour
College of Education – $510 per credit hour
College of Health Sciences – $662 per credit hour

Doctorate level tuition is $675 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for any assistance.

Eastern Kentucky University Online Degree Program(s) Available

Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership and Policy Studies

The Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership and Policy Studies at Eastern Kentucky University prepares educators for leadership roles in the field of education. It is a 30 credit program that helps teachers improve not only their leadership skills but also their classroom skills. It is 100 percent online and is open to anyone who holds a teacher certification. Teachers who are certified outside of Kentucky should contact the graduate admissions office to determine whether the program meets their state's criteria. There are no campus visits required for the program. The program challenges teachers to view themselves as powerful, effective change agents. Students are also able to strengthen their current certification area or add additional endorsements in other areas. Students gain an understanding of tools used in the leadership of educational organizations as well as how to guide students, faculty and staff to enhance learning.

Students must submit three letters of recommendation, a resume as well as a statement of personal and professional objectives when they apply to the program.

Eastern Kentucky University offers many online programs, including a graduate degree in instructional leadership and policy studies, that provide the flexibility working adults need to achieve their higher education goals. Through online programs offered by Eastern Kentucky University, working adults are able to move into a new career or advance in a current career through higher education.