Policies

How to Use This Bulletin

The information in this bulletin is current at the time of publication. If you are pursuing a degree, you are obligated to fulfill the requirements as they are listed in the bulletin for the semester in which you enroll in that program.

If the requirements change after you have enrolled in the program, you have the option of fulfilling either the old or new requirements. If you elect to fulfill the old requirements and find that necessary courses have been eliminated or substantially revised, you may substitute other courses with the approval of the dean of the college. If the revision is required by an external accreditation certification body, and this body submits a written statement to the University that the accreditation of a program or certification of its graduates is in jeopardy unless students fulfill the new requirements, the option of fulfilling the old requirements shall not apply.

If your study in the program or the University is interrupted for more than two semesters, your college dean will decide which program requirements must be fulfilled.

Find out more about the University of Kentucky at: www.uky.edu.

Information about the Kentucky Community & Technical College System is available at: www.kctcs.edu/.

Compliance with Regulations

The University of Kentucky 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 Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity Office, 013 Main Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0032, 859-257-8927.

Efforts to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to people with disabilities are also coordinated by the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

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

Qualified students with disabilities should contact the associate dean and director of the Disability Resource Center at 859-257-2754 to request reasonable accommodation.

The University is in compliance 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 Associate Provost for Student and Academic Life or the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources.

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.

Office for Institutional Diversity

The University of Kentucky prepares students for meaningful and responsible engagement within and across diverse communities. Through its own example, the University strives to improve the climate for diversity throughout Kentucky, a commitment given special importance and emphasis in the 2015-2020 UK Strategic Plan. The composite effect of work with students enables them to develop a more enlightened worldview; attain a deeper understanding of and commitment to authentic democratic values and social justice; embrace a greater commitment to service and leadership; exhibit greater cultural knowledge and competence; and facilitate Kentucky’s success in the global economy.

The Office for Institutional Diversity has a primary responsibility to uphold the University’s commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion and promoting increased knowledge of diversity and its significance as a fundamental value of the campus community. Of equal importance is its mission to enhance academic support services to ensure the academic success and personal development of all students, especially those students from backgrounds that have been historically marginalized on the University campus.

The Office for Institutional Diversity works collaboratively where all students, faculty, and staff live or work in an environment of openness and acceptance, and in which people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome.

Statement of Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service and health care. As Kentucky’s flagship institution, the University plays a critical leadership role by promoting diversity, inclusion, economic development and human well-being.

Vision

The University of Kentucky will be one of the nation’s 20 best public research universities.

Values

The University of Kentucky is guided by its core values: 

• Integrity
• Mutual respect and human dignity
• Diversity and inclusion
• Academic freedom
• Personal and institutional responsibility and accountability
• Shared governance
• A sense of community
• Work-life sensitivity
• Civic engagement
• Social responsibility

Out-of-State Educational Activities & Professional Licensure Information

State regulations require that distance education programs meet various requirements to offer out of state educational activities and to allow students to pursue professional licensure. As a participant of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), the University of Kentucky is committed to compliance with state authorization and licensure disclosure regulations.

Out-of-State Educational Activities

Pursuant to NC-SARA, the University of Kentucky is authorized to offer most distance learning programs in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, the University of Kentucky is also able to offer programs in California. However, even if UK is authorized or exempt to offer distance learning programs in a state, there may be limitations on student field placements and programs leading to licensure or certification. For more information on whether a program can be offered in a state, please visit uky.edu/tlai/authorization.

Professional Licensure Information and Disclosures

Students considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure or certification should review the state’s or territory’s information at uky.edu/tlai/licensure to determine if the program meets requirements to pursue licensure or certification. Please note: State licensure requirements are subject to change, and while a program may meet the initial licensure requirements identified by a state board, changes to state regulations could impact the program’s ability to meet any new requirements. Students are encouraged to contact the state licensing agency to seek additional information and guidance before beginning a program.

Annual Disclosure Statement

Student Right-to-Know Act (P.L. 101-542)
University of Kentucky
2020-2021

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 2019-2020 academic year.

Graduation Rate of Entering Freshmen

The graduation rate for all students entering the University of Kentucky as first-time freshmen during the 2013-2014 academic year* was 66.1 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 2013 Summer and Fall terms who subsequently were awarded baccalaureate degrees by the University of Kentucky within six calendar years (i.e., through August 2019).

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 2019 Graduation Rate Disclosure Form in March 2020.

March 2020

* 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 2013-2014 freshman class.

Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions

www.uky.edu/Registrar/ferpa.html

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: www.uky.edu/registrar/FERPA-privacy.

*For a description of full-time and part-time status, see Note 2 on the Tuition and Fees page.