Notifications

Compliance with Regulations

The University of Kentucky (University) complies with the federal and state constitutions, and all applicable federal and state laws, regarding nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified students in all aspects of University operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, social or economic status, or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University policy concerning smoking. Compliance with the Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination, and with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is coordinated by the Office of Equal Opportunity, 18th Floor Patterson Office Tower, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, 859-257-8927.

Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities is also coordinated by the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Questions concerning compliance with regulations may be directed to the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Qualified students with disabilities should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 859-257-2754 to request a reasonable accommodation.

The University complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Questions may be directed to the Vice President for Student Success or the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Information on the employment and earnings of public postsecondary education institution graduates in Kentucky is available at: https://kcews.ky.gov/KYLMI/

Questions about admission to the University should be directed to the appropriate admissions office.

State Authorization & Professional Licensure Information

The University of Kentucky is committed to adhering to regulations related to state authorization and professional licensure. Additionally, the university is dedicated to ensuring its distance education programs comply with relevant global regulatory requirements.

State Authorization

State authorization is the permission the University of Kentucky has from other U.S. states and territories to offer educational activities to students located within their borders. Even if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide distance education in your state, there may be limitations on student field placements. Additionally, professional licensure programs may require further authorizations when state licensing agency rules are in effect. Please refer to the State Authorization Map to verify whether educational activities can be offered in your state/territory.

Professional Licensure Compliance

Professional licensure and certification requirements vary by state and territory. Students who are considering an academic program that may lead to professional licensure should refer to the State Licensure Map to determine whether a professional licensure program meets the educational requirements in your location. Per federal regulations, distance education professional licensure programs cannot enroll students from states/territories where the program curriculum does not meet, or the university cannot determine it meets, the educational requirements set by the state/territory licensing agency.

NOTE: State licensure requirements are subject to change. Since our research findings are only updated annually, students are encouraged to review their state’s or territory’s requirements and to contact the appropriate licensing agency prior to initiating a program application.

Global Compliance

Delivering online education to individuals residing outside the United States requires consideration of U.S. sanctions and export controls, as well as adherence to various regulatory requirements imposed by host countries. If you are a prospective student interested in taking an online program while located abroad, please visit the Global Compliance Map to verify whether educational activities can be offered in your country. Global compliance reviews apply solely to the online didactic activities of academic programs, excluding field placements and non-academic programs. If you are interested in an online program that leads to professional licensure or requires field placements, you must contact the program to discuss your eligibility prior to submitting your application.

NOTE: Global compliance considerations do not affect students enrolled in the University of Kentucky Education Abroad programs.

Distance Learning Students

As a SARA-participating institution, UK is committed to protecting the best interests of our students. Online students are encouraged to seek resolution to complaints by first completing one of the reports on the Dean of Student’s Student Complaints and Grievance Reports page. If the issue remains unresolved, students may appeal the decision with the Council for Postsecondary Education, the SARA portal entity for Kentucky. More information is available on the UK Online Administrative Services page.

Annual Disclosure Statement

Student Right-to-Know Act (P.L. 101-542)
University of Kentucky
2023-2024

Section 103 of the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542) as amended by the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 (Public Law 102-26) requires public disclosure of relevant graduation rate information for students enrolled in colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance annually beginning July 1, 1993. The following statement is the University of Kentucky’s official disclosure statement in accordance with the requirements of P.L. 101-542 Section 103 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Graduation Rate of Entering Freshmen

The graduation rate for all students entering the University of Kentucky as first-time freshmen during the 2018-2019 academic year* was 71 percent. This graduation rate represents the percentage of students entering the University of Kentucky as first-time (i.e., new) full-time degree-seeking freshmen during the 2018 Summer and Fall terms who subsequently were awarded baccalaureate degrees by the University of Kentucky within six calendar years (i.e., through August 2024).

This rate was calculated under definitions and procedures established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and reported to the NCAA on the University’s 2024 Graduation Rate Disclosure Form in March 2025.

March 2025

* The information to be disclosed by July 1 of each year is “the graduation rate for the most recent cohort of entering students that all have had an opportunity to complete or graduate from their respective programs” in the specified completion period (which for the University of Kentucky is six years). The most recent entering cohort meeting this requirement is the 2018-2019 freshman class.

Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a:
   1. person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position, including health or medical staff;
   2. person who is employed by the University Police Department;
   3. student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another University official in performing her or his tasks; or
   4. contractor, consultant, volunteer or other third parties provided that the outside party:
      1. performs an institutional service which would otherwise be provided by employees of the University;
      2. has been determined to meet the criteria set forth for being a “school official with a legitimate interest” in the education records;
      3. is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of education records; and
      4. uses education records only for authorized purposes and may not re-disclose personally identifiable information from education records to other parties, under third party has specific authorization from the University to do so and such use is otherwise permitted by FERPA.

A University official has a legitimate educational interest if the official requires the information for the purpose of fulfilling her or his official duties, including but not limited to:

1. performing a task that is specified in her or his position description or contract agreement or within the scope of assigned professional responsibilities;
2. performing a task related to a student’s education;
3. performing a task related to the discipline of a student;
4. providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student’s family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid;
5. maintaining the safety and security of the campus; or
6. participating in or conducting studies, evaluations, or assessment of educational programs.

Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. [Note: FERPA requires an institution to make a reasonable attempt to notify the student of the records request unless the institution states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Kentucky to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20202-4605.

The University may release information without the student’s consent where the information is classified as “Directory information.” The following categories of information have been designated by the University as directory information: name, address, telephone listing, email address, photograph, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, fulltime/ part-time status, and the most recent previous educational institution attended by the student.

Direct questions concerning this law and the University’s policy concerning release of academic information to the Student Records Office, 859-257-7157. Students who do not wish such information released without their consent should notify the Student Records Office in writing. For complete information on (1) adding and removing a privacy flag to prevent the release of directory information; (2) the definition of education records; (3) the types of directory information that may be made available without the student’s consent; and (4) the annual FERPA notification deadline for prevention of release of directory information, please visit: https://registrar.uky.edu/ferpa.