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Building on your career
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Award winning programs. Convenient online options. Small class and cohort sizes.

Coupled with our personalized student focus, these features make Northern Kentucky University the premier choice for furthering your education and enhancing your career path.  Our graduate programs are born in theory and grown in practice, giving you the core competencies and the confidence needed to succeed and lead in your career.

How to Apply

Graduate Student Spotlight
Headshot of William Jones

Meet William Jones, an NKU alumni x2 and current social studies and computer science teacher at Harrison County High School!

Jones received his bachelor’s in social studies with a teaching certificate and master’s in education.

When asked what he loved most about his program, he said that he felt well prepared for his first year of teaching and that he loved being able to extend connections with previous professors from his undergraduate courses, as well as the master’s program being affordable and flexible.

“The graduate program was affordable and flexible for me to complete at my own page. The program was also appropriately challenging and rigorous to where I felt I became a better teacher because of it,” Jones said.

Jones values his education from NKU because it led him to more career and advancement options in the field of education and allowed him to develop a better and deeper understanding about education and society as a whole.

“If you want to get an easy degree from a college just for the pay raise and rank change, you can choose an online program that will have no impact on you. If you want a graduate program where you can challenge yourself and grow academically and earn a graduate degree you can be proud of, NKU is the right choice,” Jones said.

Learn more about NKU’s College of Education programs here, which now has a reduced tuition rate of $400/credit hour for its graduate level programs here.

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Orientation

Whether you are a part-time or full-time student, relocating or local, pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, new graduate student orientation is designed to assist both on campus and online students in your transition to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University.

Register for Orientation

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Academic Polices & Forms

General graduate student policies can be found in the graduate catalog. Students are governed by the catalog for the year he/she was admitted.  The student Honor Code sets standards of academic integrity and provides procedures that offers basic assurances of fundamental fairness to anyone accused of violations of these rules.

Academic Policies

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Financial Aid, Tuition & Fees

Several options are available to finance your graduate degree.  Financial aid is available for any degree-seeking student who has been fully admitted into a graduate degree program, as well as for students who have been admitted to the first term provisionally. 

Graduate Tuition and Fees

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Thesis, Dissertation & Capstone

After successful completion of the program requirements for the dissertation/thesis/project and after the committee has indicated the student has passed, the student should make all required changes to the document (if applicable to the student’s particular work).

Guidelines for Completion

NKU walkway with "Congrats Grads"

Graduation & Commencement

Commencement exercises at Northern Kentucky University are held in both May and December. The December ceremony is for students completing degree requirements in the fall and preceding summer semester. The May ceremony is for students completing degree requirements in the spring semester. Information regarding the ceremony, purchasing caps, gowns, hoods, and ordering announcements will be sent to all degree candidates.

Visit Commencement Site

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Graduate Student Life

There is no shortage of things to do in the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area. Activities - both on and off campus - will entertain, and help you grow as a student and a person.  From Community Connections to the Campus Recreation Center, NKU offers ways to help the community and help yourself. Participate in Norse traditions by attending music and theater performances, athletic events and more.

Life @ NKU 

Program List
Looking for more information about our Online Course Schedules? Visit our Online Student Resources page for more details.
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Micro-credentials

Micro-credentials can demonstrate your mastery of relevant workplace skills, abilities and competencies, which is professionally invaluable not only to you, but also to your employer. 

View the List