Admission Process: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

How to Apply

As a graduate student at NKU, you will join a diverse community of students enrolled at one of the region's top public universities.

For admission into any graduate program, NKU requires all applicants to submit both the university requirements and specific program requirements listed below by the appropriate application deadline.

Apply Now

Grad students discussing topics during class

Check my status

Student Orientation

International Applications

NOTE: Effective Spring 2023, College of Health and Human Services will only be accepting applications from these states Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio in the following programs:

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner FNP
MSN Adult-Gero Acute Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Post MSN Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Post MSN Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Nurse Practitioner to Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Please check back with us for future updates.

Non-Refundable Application Fee

Students who do not qualify for an application fee waiver are required to pay the application fee. The application fee is $40 for master's programs and graduate certificates. For doctoral programs, the application fee is $55.

Application Fee Waiver Criteria

Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from NKU
Applicants who have earned a graduate certificate from NKU
Active duty military and veterans
Eligible faculty and staff

If you believe you are eligible for an application fee waiver for a reason NOT listed above, please contact the Office of Graduate Education at graduate@nku.edu // 859.572.6364 BEFORE submitting payment.

University Requirements

Complete the online application for graduate admission.
Pay the non-refundable application fee (NKU Alumni - no fee is required!)
Submit official transcripts* of ALL college level work, from a regionally accredited institution**. Any additional documents needed for your program should be emailed to graduate@nku.edu.

*An official transcript is a transcript submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Education by the college or university or a transcript submitted by the applicant in the original sealed envelope from the college or university. NKU transcripts do not need to be submitted.

** We highly encourage you to request the electronic delivery option when available.

Program Requirements

Master's Programs

Master's Degree Programs
Program	GPA	Test	Recommendation Letter	Letter of Introduction/ Purpose	Essay	Resume	Additional Requirements
Accountancy	2.80	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Expedited Program*
Athletic Training	2.75	No	3	No	No	No	Yes*
Business Administration	2.50	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	None
Business Informatics	2.50	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Business Leadership & Innovation	2.50	No	2	No	Yes	Yes	Yes*
Cardiovascular Perfusion	3.00	No	3	Yes	No	Yes	Yes*
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	2.75	No	3 (on form)	No	Yes (on form)	Yes	Yes*
Cybersecurity	2.50	No	No	No	No	No	No
Educational Leadership, M.A. ED.	3.00	No	3	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Education: Teacher as Leader	2.50	GRE	No	No	No	No	Yes*
English	3.00	No	2	Yes	No	No	Yes*
Exercise Science	2.50	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
Health Informatics	2.50	No	No	Yes*	No	Yes	No
Health Administration	2.50	No	No	No	No	Yes	None
Industrial-Organizational Psychology	3.00	No	3	Yes	No	Yes	Yes*
Interdisciplinary Studies	3.00	No	2	Yes	No	Yes	None
Legal Studies	2.50	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	None
LL.M. in U.S. Law (Applicants apply and submit documents via LSAC website)	2.50	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes*
Nursing	3.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
Public Administration	2.75	No	2	Yes	Pre-Career	In-Career only	Yes*
Public History	2.50	No	2	Yes	No	No	None
School Counseling	2.75	GRE	3 (on form)	No	Yes (on form)	Yes	Yes*
Social Work	3.00	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes*
Teaching	2.75	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes*

Post Master's Programs

Post-Master's Programs
Program	GPA	Test	Recommendation Letter	Letter of Introduction/ Purpose	Essay	Resume	Additional Requirements
Education Specialist - Educational Leadership	3.00	No	3 (on form)	No	Yes (on form)	No	Yes*
Education Specialist - Teaching & Leading	3.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
Nurse Practitioner Advancement Certificate	3.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
Post-MSN Certificate	3.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
Rank 1 Teaching	3.00	No	3	Yes	No	No	Yes
Special Education	3.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Superintendent Certification	3.00	No	3	No	Yes (on form)	No	Yes*

Doctoral Programs

Doctoral Programs
Program	GPA	Test	Recommendation Letter	Letter of Introduction/ Purpose	Essay	Resume	Additional Requirements
Doctor of Education	3.25	No	3	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes*
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Post-Master's	3.00	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes*
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Post- Master's CRNA to DNP	3.00	No	1	Yes	No	Yes	Yes*
Doctor of Occupational Therapy	3.00	Yes	3	Yes	No	No	Yes*

Graduate Certificates

Admission requirements for graduate certificates differ from program to program, please refer the the graduate catalog for a complete list of requirements.

Master's Programs

Program	Additional Requirements
Accountancy	Expedited program - only statement of purpose and resume required; to enter the MAcc Expedited Track, undergraduate BSBA students at NKU who have completed ACC 200 may be invited to apply and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must have completed at least 15 credit hours at NKU.
Athletic Training	Background Check, Interview with MSAT Fac/Staff and C or better in the following courses: Introductory Psychology, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab, General Chemistry, General Physics, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Introductory Statistics, Strength and Conditioning. Expedited MSAT concentration: Major in the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Junior standing at NKU (minimum 93 credits completed or currently in progress).
Business Leadership & Innovation	Minimum 3 years of professional or managerial work experience with significant decision making authority (e.g., experienced managers, small or family business owners, management consultants, human resources or technical professionals); Full-time employment in a professional or managerial position at the time of application/entry is required.
Cardiovascular Perfusion	Cardiovascular Perfusion Shadowing Form and successful interview.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Supplemental application, writing sample, and successful interview. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0 must submit official GRE scores.
Cybersecurity	Applications for the MS Cybersecurity program are accepted for all terms. Students must fullfill the requirements of the NKU Office of Graduate Education: a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5, a GPA of at least 3.0 in any graduate work in the same field (if applicable), demonstration of English proficiency for non-native English speakers, a graduate application submitted with the application fee, and official transcripts. See the current graduate catalog for detailed information.
Educational Leadership, M.A. ED.	Three (3) years of documented teaching experience in a public school or a nonpublic school which meets state performance standards as established in KRS 156.160, an agreement from a school district pledging support that includes opportunities for the candidate to participate in a clinical experience.
Education: Teacher as Leader	Supplemental Application, teaching certificate, Teacher as Leader admission agreement (available here; print, sign, and submit to Office of Graduate Education).
English	Writing sample.
Exercise Science	Evidence of successful completion of the following undergraduate courses: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Research Methods in a Kinesiology related course.
Health Administration	Applicants must have a course in statistical methods with a C grade or better (equivalent to STA 205 at NKU).
Industrial-Organizational Psychology	Nine semester hours in psychology, statistics class with a B or better.
Legal Studies	Supplemental application, available to download here.
LL.M. in U.S. Law	Supplemental application, submitted via LSAC application found here.
Nursing (MSN)	Copy of nursing license verification, 1,000 clinical hours of experience, letter from employer verifying employment (use employment verification form), successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course; AGACNP applicants must submit critical care verification form. Our applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase their background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found at: https://candidate.precheck.com/StudentCheck?schoold=16070. Any cost associated with the background checks are the responsibility of the applicant.
School Counseling	Criminal background check, supplemental application, successful interview, prior statistics class.
Social Work	Prior classes in psychology, sociology, and statistics. Resume must include 3 references from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of social work.
Public Administration	In-career applicants: 5 years professional experience, resume, portfolio of 2-3 work products Pre-career applicants: 10-12 page writing sample or written portion of GRE exam; applicants with 3.0 or higher GPA are exempt from the GRE requirement.
Teaching	Criminal background check, interview, Praxis II in content area.

Post-Master's Programs

Programs	Additional Requirements
Education Specialist: Educational Leadership	Teaching certificate, professional folio, successful interview.
Education Specialist: Teaching & Leading	Teaching certificate showing Rank II status, Master's degree in Education, Supplemental Application
Rank 1 Teaching	Kentucky teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent at Rank II.
Special Education	Teaching certificate at the Rank II level or out-of-state equivalent. New teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility.
Superintendent Certification	Teaching certificate, three years full-time teaching, two years in leadership position, Level I and Level II preparation and certification for leadership positions, (see program admissions page for more information).
Post-MSN Certificate	Copy of Nursing License with clearly visible expiration date, MSN from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited program of nursing, proof of 1,000 RN practice hours via employment verification form; Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner applicants must have 1-year experience in critical care.
Nurse Practitioner Advancement	Copy of Nursing License with clearly visible expiration date, MSN from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited program of nursing, proof of 1,000 NP practice hours via employment verification form; Family NP to Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult NP to Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration applicants must have 1 year experience in critical care.

Doctoral Programs

Programs	Additional Requirements
Doctor of Education	Admission interview.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Post-Master's Specialization	Unencumbered RN license, a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing at or above the bachelor’s level from a nationally accredited school, employment verification (use employment verification form), successfully completed an undergraduate (or higher level) statistics course.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Post-Master's CRNA to DNP	Master’s degree or higher in nursing, nurse anesthesia, or a related field from a fully regionally accredited college or university in the United States with 3.0 cumulative GPA, BSN from a fully regionally accredited college or university in the United States if master’s degree is not in nursing with 3.0 cumulative GPA, completion of a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in state of residence, current unencumbered APRN licensure, or other authorization to practice as a nurse anesthetist, in state of residence, current certification or recertification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), pre-requites courses (graduate or undergraduate): Statistics equivalent to NKU STA 205 or above with B or better and research equivalent to NKU NRS 320 or above with B or better, admissions interview.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy	Admission interview and 20 hours observation.

Admission Process

How to Apply

Application Details

Requirements

University Requirements

Program Requirements

*Additional Requirements

Office of Graduate Education