Special Academic Programs

The Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market allows non-resident students to pay resident tuition rates while studying selected academic programs that are not available in their home states. The list of programs included in the Academic Common Market is revised periodically to reflect the changing needs and offerings of participating states. For more information, visit: www.sreb.org. The fifteen states that participate in the Academic Common Market are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, contact the Academic Common Market Institutional Coordinator, 10 Funkhouser Building, University of Kentucky, residency@uky.edu or 859-562-2075.

Accelerated Programs

The University of Kentucky has a broad policy for accelerated programs. Among the opportunities available are special programs for high school students and a variety of credit-by-examination programs. Many students use these opportunities to earn degrees in less time. Others prefer to use the time gained to explore areas outside their majors or to do more work in their major fields.

Accelerated Programs for High School Students

High school students interested in earning college credit while still in high school should inquire about admission before graduating from high school. The High School Exceptional Ability program is described in greater detail in the Undergraduate Admission  section of this Catalog.

Credit-by-Examination Programs

UK students may earn degree credit by successfully completing examinations described below.

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

The University of Kentucky recognizes examinations of the College Board Advanced Placement Program offered by high schools throughout the nation. Currently, UK ranks among the top 100 schools in the U.S. for receipt of AP test score results. A high school senior who wishes to have AP scores evaluated for academic credit or placement should have the results sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. UK’s code is 1837.

Students who receive Advanced Placement credit for a course may apply this credit the same way credit earned by passing a course is applied. UK does not recognize College Board SAT II Subject Tests for placement or credit purposes.

Academic departments have designated the current policy (see chart below) for students who score 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examinations.

Please note that the University of Kentucky awards Advanced Placement credit based on the score of the exam that is in effect during the academic year that the student enrolls in UK. Students should refer to the AP chart in the Catalog they received when they were admitted for the appropriate score.

UK does not award duplicate credit in the event that a student repeats an exam or if the credit award is the same for two or more exams. In the event a student takes the same exam more than once, credit is awarded for the best score only.

For more information on UK’s Advanced Placement policy, contact:

Registrar’s Office
10 W. D. Funkhouser Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0054
859-257-9535

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

UK participates in the national testing program of The College Board. CLEP Examinations cover specific material common to courses at many universities.

Credit for University courses is awarded to students who obtain the listed scores on the appropriate Examinations, as listed in the chart below.

The Registrar’s Office is responsible for all official posting of credit to a student’s record. For information regarding the CLEP program and posting of credit, contact the Registrar’s Office at 859-257-7157. For information on CLEP exams in general, visit the College Board website at: www.collegeboard.com/clep/.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The University of Kentucky recognizes course credit earned through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program offered by high schools throughout the world.

Generally, course credit is awarded for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on either the Standard Level exam or the Higher Level exam. Please refer to the chart below for the actual course credit policy in each subject.

Any student desiring credit must request an IB transcript to be sent to the University. Course credit awarded through the IB program will apply toward degree requirements just as if the course had been taken on campus, except that there will not be a specific letter grade associated with the course.

Instead, a designation of CR - credit - will be awarded and the grade-point average will not be affected.

In some cases, as noted on the chart below, additional curriculum information must be supplied by the student’s high school before credit will be awarded.

For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office at 859-257-7157. For information on the IB Program in general, visit the IB website at: www.ibo.org.

Special Departmental Examinations

Undergraduate students requesting a special examination must apply in writing to the chairperson of the department that offers the course. Graduate students should apply to the director of graduate studies in the department offering the course. Applicants should include evidence that they are reasonably prepared for the examination.

These examinations are prepared and administered by the offering department, and are usually equivalent to a final examination. Students must be enrolled in good standing at UK. The examinations are offered without charge.

Almost any course offered at the University is available for credit by special examination, regardless of whether a student has audited the course, is currently enrolled in it, or has studied it independently. Please note, most elementary and intermediate foreign language courses are not available on the basis of a special examination.

More information about special examination credit appears in the Academic Requirements  section of this Catalog.

National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)

Students may be eligible to receive credit for extra-institutional learning. The American Council on Education through its National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) has evaluated over 2,000 courses sponsored by over 140 corporations, organizations, and agencies drawn from business, industry, and government. On the basis of the NCCRS evaluations, the University has established guidelines for awarding credit for college-level courses. The University recognizes these recommendations as appropriate credit for meeting degree requirements.

The University’s colleges and departments determine the amount of credit that will apply to a student’s curriculum.

Information on the NCCRS appears in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Evaluation of Military Credit

Military Credit is awarded following the procedures below:

1. Procedures
   1. The student must submit a letter requesting evaluation, along with the necessary supportive documentation, to the Office of Admission.
   2. The letter should specify the types of educational experiences the student wishes to have evaluated.
      1. Military Schools should be listed by:
         Name of school
         Location
         Name of course
         Length of course in weeks
         Date course began
         Date course completed
         Final mark and/or standing in class
      2. Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) should be listed by:
         Complete MOS designation
         MOS Title
         Period of time MOS was held as a primary duty assignment How MOS was awarded (School Attendance, OJT, etc.) MOS evaluation score and date of evaluation
2. Documentation
   1. Official documentation is necessary to support the awarding of any credit based on military service. The supportive documentation required is as follows:
      1. Computerized transcript from the Army/American Council on Education Registry (request forms are available in the Office of Undergraduate Admission)
      2. Copies of Course Completion Certificates
      3. Enlisted Evaluation Data Report reflecting competency in any MOS submitted for evaluation
      4. DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) if no longer on Active Duty
   2. Required documentation may be obtained as follows:
      1. Active Duty Personnel: Custodian of individual’s personnel records, Military installation to which assigned
      2. Retired Army Personnel or Reserve Personnel:
         US Army Reserve Component & Administration Center (TAGO)
         9700 Page Boulevard
         St. Louis, Missouri 63132
      3. Discharged Personnel (Veterans):
         General Services Administration
         National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records)
         9700 Page Boulevard
         St. Louis, Missouri 63132
      4. Discharged Personnel Now Members of Army National Guard: National Guard unit to which assigned
3. Awarding of Credit
   Credit is evaluated using the ACE Guide for evaluation of military credit (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard). ACE guide recommends hours to be awarded based on the length and content of each course. Evaluations are typed on appropriate form.
   1. Credit will be awarded on the student’s official academic transcript.
   2. No credit will be awarded based on a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) which has not been held as a primary duty assignment for a minimum duration of one (1) year or more.
   3. Copies of the Evaluation are forwarded to the college dean’s office and to Student Records Office.
   4. One copy of the evaluation is maintained in the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
   5. Each college determines how awarded hours may be used in the degree program.

The Chellgren Student Fellows Program

The Chellgren Student Fellows Program is an enrichment program for sophomores designed to help students identify a research mentor and spend a semester on an undergraduate research program. The program offers students opportunities to go beyond classroom instruction in order to help them cultivate extraordinary academic achievement. Fellows also work with the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards to understand the requirements and process to compete for prestigious awards, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman Scholarships, or to gain admittance into graduate and professional programs.

The Lewis Honors College

The Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky is dedicated to excellence in undergraduate education and engages students holistically to learn and thrive. The mission of the Lewis Honors College is to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity. The Lewis Honors College offers specialized, interdisciplinary, seminar style classes as well as departmental Honors section courses, which transform common undergraduate course offerings (such as biology and English) into more advanced seminars.

The Lewis Honors College’s flexible curriculum allows students to select classes from a variety of course offerings that best suit their individual interests and needs; it can be integrated with any area of study. Honors classes, which demand active participation and are capped at 25 students, are led by full-time faculty members. In addition to their Lewis Honors College courses, students engage in at least six credit hours of experiential learning through opportunities such as research, service learning, education abroad, and/or internship programs. Students complete their Lewis Honors College curriculum with a senior thesis project, usually in their major discipline. Lewis Honors College students are required to maintain 3.4 GPA.

Lewis Honors College students have access to priority registration, dedicated advising, the Lewis Honors College Center for Personal Development, special programming, funding and leadership opportunities. The Lewis Honors College encourages students’ participation in other divisions of excellence such as the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence and the Gaines Center for the Humanities, among others. Many Lewis Honors College students choose to live in the Community of Scholars, a Living Learning Program housed in the Honors Quad (Lewis, Donovan, Haggin, and Johnson Halls). In reviewing applications, the Lewis Honors College selection committee considers the following: strength of application essays, academic rigor of high school courses, unweighted GPA and level of involvement in curricular and extracurricular activities. Any student with a strong academic record should apply.

The University Scholars Program

The University Scholars program offers students the opportunity and challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate or professional courses of study into a single, continuous program leading to both a baccalaureate and master’s degree. The student’s particular requirements will determine the amount of time needed to complete the program; however, the program can normally be completed in less time than that required in a conventional program.

Admissions to the University Scholars Program (USP)

Applications to the University Scholars Program (USP) will follow current procedures and rules for admission to the Graduate School with the following additions:

1. The graduate program faculty concur the field of the undergraduate major is in the same or related field as the master’s or doctoral program.
2. The program is open to undergraduates with senior standing who have completed at least 90 hours of course work and should have satisfied all UK Core requirements. Application to the program should be at the end of the student’s junior year.
3. The undergraduate grade-point average should be greater than or equal to 3.5 in the student’s major and 3.2 overall.
4. Application to the USP will follow the current procedures for application to the Graduate School, subject to the above conditions. Admission decisions will be made by the Graduate Dean or their appointee.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Students in the University Scholars program must meet these requirements:

1. The University Scholars Program (USP) allows a student to apply up to 12 credit hours used for one undergraduate degree towards one graduate degree. (The requirements for the undergraduate degree will be unaffected.)
2. Students should take no more than 16 credit hours per semester, unless they have express permission from the appropriate director of graduate studies and the Dean of The Graduate School.
3. Students must complete at least 36 hours of graduate level courses in the combined program, 15 credit hours of which must be in the 600 level or above for a Plan B master’s degree. Students pursuing Plan A must complete at least 30 hours of graduate level courses in the combined program of which 12 credit hours must be at the 600 level or above. (Consult The Graduate School Catalog for detailed information concerning Plan A and Plan B for master’s degrees.)
4. Students must have an undergraduate and a graduate advisor. A jointly planned program must be prepared for each student.
5. In order to participate in the University Scholars program, a department must submit to The Graduate School a plan and illustrative examples of typical programs.

Donovan Scholars Program and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UK

The University of Kentucky has a long-standing interest in individuals of or nearing retirement age. In 1962, the Board of Trustees established the Council on Aging to serve as the focal point for programs for older persons. The Council is an integral part of the College of Public Health.

The Herman L. Donovan Scholarship for Adults 65+

The Donovan Scholarship, named in honor of the late Herman L. Donovan, University President from 1941-1956, is a tuition waiver program for adults, 65 years and older, taking academic courses at the University of Kentucky. The tuition waiver is available for courses held on campus and limited availability for UK online classes. Donovan Scholars may audit courses for the joy of learning (exams, papers or other assignments are typically not required), take courses for credit without working toward a degree, or take classes for credit as a degree-seeking candidate. There is no previous educational requirement for Donovan Scholars auditing an undergraduate class (not seeking a degree). When working toward a degree, UK Admissions criteria must be met.

For more information, contact Trey Adkins at 859-257-2657; or email: trey.adkins@uky.edu.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK, Lexington and Morehead

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK offers educational, social, and community activities for a diverse and inclusive population of adults ages 50 and up. Program activities are offered virtually and in-person at host locations throughout the community in Lexington and Morehead. Learning opportunities are offered in a variety of formats including weekly meetings, lecture series, day trips, shared interest groups and more. Topics vary each semester and include culture, health and wellness, history and government, languages, literature and writing, science and environment, and visual and performing arts. In addition to learning opportunities, the OLLI Program offers special events and socials such as concerts and luncheons. OLLI members can attend the Lancaster Aquatic Center with no additional charge. They can also attend the Johnson Center/Alumni Gym with an additional charge paid to the centers. The annual OLLI membership fee is $50; course fees vary.

For more information, contact the OLLI at UK at 859-257-2656; toll free at 866-602-5862; or email: Teresa.Hager@uky.edu.

OLLI at UK
Ligon House
658 South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0442
859-257-2656, toll free 866-602-5862
www.uky.edu/OLLI

Academic Preparation and Placement Program

The Academic Preparation and Placement Program (APP) provides placement testing for incoming students and preparatory instruction and programmatic support for admitted students who have not yet met statewide minimum test score requirements for college readiness in math, reading, and writing.

Placement Testing

On campus, online, and remote placement testing is offered for all incoming first-time admitted students for math, reading, and writing. Information about all placement tests is online at: https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/transformative-learning under Placement Testing. In order to register for online testing, students will need their official UKID number.

Math

All incoming UK students with a Math ACT score below 19 or Math SAT below 500 or an unweighted high school GPA below 3.00 are required to take the ALEKS mathematics placement test. Students with a high school GPA of 2.40 and above with pre-calculus, or if students have taken calculus regardless of unweighted high school GPA, are not required to take ALEKS. However, students who have a UK approved 100-level or above mathematics credit (including official AP, Dual credit, or transfer credit) accepted by UK admissions (send credits and scores to admissions@uky.edu) are highly encouraged, but not required to take the ALEKS placement test. The University of Kentucky uses the ALEKS math placement test to ensure students’ proper course enrollment in mathematics courses to meet UK Core and to prepare for their major program of study. The ALEKS PPL account is free for incoming UK students to continue mathematics preparation for future courses through the individualized learning modules for up to one year.

English/Writing and Reading

UK Placement tests in Reading and Writing (ACCUPLACER) are also available to assess students’ skills in these areas and assist advisors in recommending courses.

Students with an English ACT below 18 or English SAT below 480 or an unweighted high school GPA below 2.90 are required to take the Accuplacer Next Gen Writing Exam. Students with a Reading ACT below 20 or SAT Reading below 480 or an unweighted high school GPA below 2.90 are required to take the Accuplacer Next Gen Reading Exam.

English as a Second Language

Placement testing in Reading and Writing is available for international students who have an ACT reading sub-score below 20 (SAT reading below 25), an ACT English sub-score below 18 (SAT writing below 25), a TOEFL score below 100, any TOEFL sub-score below 20, or an unweighted high school GPA below 2.90.

APP Programs and Courses

APP offers courses in Reading, Writing, and Math. Students enrolled in APP courses will have access to resources that support their success. Resources include peer tutoring, study skills development, and academic coaching.

UK 125 APP Writing (one credit)

The Academic Preparation and Placement Program supports UK students in meeting college readiness benchmarks in Reading & Writing and prepares them to be successful in their major. By the end of this course students will demonstrate college readiness through the development of transferable skills necessary for success across disciplines and within their major. Specifically, students will be able to process, retain, and analyze multiple texts as a key process in producing well-constructed composition and communication assignments within future course work. This course is the corequisite for first-year students Composition and Communication UK Core course work (CIS 110   / WRD 110 ). This course replaces UK 120 [Inactive] and UK 130 [Inactive].

Prerequisites: Students with an ACT score below 18 in English and/or 20 in Reading or an SAT (evidence-based reading and writing) score below 480 need to demonstrate college Reading and Writing readiness via either the Reading and Writing Accuplacer placement exam or by successfully completing UK 125 . A score of 244 or higher on either the Reading or Writing Accuplacer exam demonstrates college readiness. Those who do not receive a 244 or higher are required to enroll in UK 125  alongside CIS 110   / WRD 110  .

International students requiring college readiness in reading and listening should visit the Center for English as a Second Language English for Academic Purposes page and click on CESL 100 and CESL 110.

For more information on APP course work, please visit www.uky.edu/app/.

Placement for Composition and Communication Courses

Students entering UK must meet basic skills in the UK Core. The placement information outlined below plays an important role in determining specific options for meeting these requirements. Please carefully read the placement information below to determine which placement exam(s) or other exam(s) you may benefit from taking.

University Composition and Communication Requirement

All students must fulfill the University Composition and Communication Requirement. See “Composition and Communication Requirements” in the Graduation Requirements  section of this Catalog for more information.

For More Information

First-Year Requirement Questions: (859) 257-7002.
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement Questions: (859) 257-3027.

Placement for Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry Courses

These prerequisites are in effect and will be applied to all students. Students should see their advisor before enrolling in any courses. A math placement test is required for all students with a Math ACT score of 26 or below or a Math SAT of 610 or below.

University of Kentucky Policy Guide for Advanced Placement

*Credit will be replaced with 5 credit hours for  with a grade of CR upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience to the Instructional Laboratory Specialist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

†Credit will be replaced with 5 credit hours for  with a grade of CR upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience to the Instructional Laboratory Specialist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

††Upon presentation of documentation of appropriate laboratory experience, credit will also be given for the laboratories associated with these courses, ,  respectively. 

University of Kentucky Policy Guide for CLEP Examinations

 For additional information on credits awarded for CLEP examinations, contact the Registrar’s Office, 10 Funkhouser Building, (859) 257-7157. For information on CLEP exams in general, visit the College Board website at: www.collegeboard.com/clep/.

University of Kentucky International Baccalaureate Program

Credit Awarded Based on Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) Exam Scores of 5, 6, and 7

 *Credit will be replaced with 3 credit hours in the appropriate media course upon successful completion of a portfolio review. Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the School of Art and Visual Studies to schedule your review.