Selective Programs
Admission to Northern Kentucky University does not necessarily ensure acceptance into some selective admission degree programs. As of the 2011-12 academic year, students must meet the admission requirements set forth by the following selective programs:College of Arts & Sciences
Students who meet NKU's admission standards but are not eligible for the selective program of their choice as outlined below will be admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences, undeclared.
Biological Sciences and Environmental Science
- The following requirements also apply to Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Forestry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Wildlife Management, and Secondary Education in Biological Sciences.
- Freshmen: Must have ACT scores of 22 in mathematics, 18 in English, 20 in reading and 20 composite; or SAT scores of 520 in math and 480 in critical reading; or COMPASS test scores of 60 in math, 70 in English and 84 in reading. Must meet the college readiness standards established by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
- Transfer students with 24 or more semester hours: Must have successfully completed one of these NKU mathematics courses: MAHD099, or MAT 109, 112, 114, 119, 128 or 129. Go to transfercredit.nku.edu to get an unofficial evaluation of your transfer courses.
- Transfer students with less than 24 hours: Must meet the freshmen requirements, but if you've successfully completed one of the above NKU mathematics courses, you do not necessarily need to meet the mathematics test score requirement.
Criminal Justice, Political Science, and International Studies
- Freshmen: Must have an ACT score of 21 composite or SAT score of 990 combined mathematics and critical reading.
- Transfer students: Must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5. If you have less than 24 semester hours, you must also meet the freshmen requirements. If you have any in progress coursework at the time your transcript is received, you will not be admitted to these programs, but admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences, undeclared.
- Students who are admitted into the Music or Music Education pre-major are required to audition. You will be notified by the Department of Music about admission audition dates. If you are not admissible to the program after your audition, you will be admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences, undeclared.
- If you wish to pursue a BFA degree, you must audition and show excellence in performance or technical achievement as demonstrated by an audition, interview or portfolio of related work. Go to theatre.nku.edu to review audition dates and requirements. Students wishing to pursue a BA degree in Theatre Arts do not have to go through an audition process.
College of Health Professions
All students in the College of Health Professions start out as pre-majors. You must meet certain curriculum and credential requirements, in addition to applying with a separate program application by the published deadlines. The application for each program along with admission procedures can be found at healthprofessions.nku.edu.
Students who meet NKU's admission standards but are not eligible for the selective program of their choice as outlined below will be admitted to University Programs, undeclared, and will be advised by the Academic Advising Resource Center.
Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Respiratory Care
- Freshmen: Must meet the college readiness standards established by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and must have an ACT score of 20 composite or SAT score of 940 combined mathematics and critical reading.
- Transfer students: Must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 to enter the College of Health Professions as a pre-major. If you have less than 24 semester hours, you must also meet the freshmen requirements.
- Post-baccalaureate students: Must have earned a Bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to enter the College of Health Professions as a pre-major in Nursing, Radiologic Technology, or Respiratory Care.
- This is a completion degree program. Transfer students must have an Associate's degree in a health related field and a cumulative college GPA of 2.0. Freshmen are not eligible to apply to this program.
RN to BSN Program and ABSN Program
- The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are completion degree programs. Freshmen are not eligible to apply to these programs.
College of Informatics
Students who meet NKU's admission standards but are not eligible for the selective program of their choice as outlined below will be admitted to the College of Informatics, undeclared.
Communication Studies (Online)
- Transfer, readmitted and post-baccalaureate students must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5. Freshmen are not eligible to apply to this program. These requirements apply only to the online major program.