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Online Students

EKU is consistently recognized as one of the best online colleges in the nation. A brick-and-mortar accredited institution, EKU began offering online degrees in 2006 and continues to service all students with our on-campus offerings.

The University offers more than 100 online options in various areas of study, designed for adult learners who want to earn a college degree or certificate while working full-time or juggling other life priorities. Online programs are available through the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, College of Business, College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, College of Education & Applied Human Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and College of Justice, Safety & Military Science.

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Key Resources

Contact Information

EKU Online

Commonwealth Building

859-622-4455
onlinedegrees@eku.edu

Department Directory

Application Information

EKU Online application deadlines will determine your first eligible start date. Once your application is submitted, you can choose a start date that works with your schedule. Most programs offer 6 start dates per year, but a limited number offer fewer. Generally, EKU Online terms last 8 weeks in fall and spring, and 6 or 8 weeks in summer. The application is free and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Online Undergraduate Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 31August
Fall BAugust 31October
Spring ADecember 31January
Spring BJanuary 31March
Summer AApril 30May
Summer BMay 31June

Note: Graduate deadlines vary by program. Program specific deadlines can be found on each program page.

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Online Mission & Vision

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive and accessible online program that empowers individuals to enhance their knowledge, skills, and personal growth.

We support and promote EKU values of intellectual vitality, community, cultural competency, stewardship of place, accountability, and excellence. We believe that emotional well-being is fundamental to a learners’ overall development, academic success, and future happiness. We strive to foster a vibrant virtual learning community that transcends geographical boundaries, enabling learners to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Our vision is to empower individuals worldwide through high-quality, accessible, and flexible online education, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to achieve personal and professional growth. We strive to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and lifelong learning. By leveraging technology, we envision and promise to provide:

  • expert instructors
  • personalized learning experiences through a student-centered approach
  • breaking down barriers to education
  • equip learners with the confidence and competence to thrive
  • guidance for technical, intellectual and professional skills
  • a well-balanced approach to social and emotional learning opportunities
  • an all-inclusive learning environment where ideas can be expressed and freely and openly
  • a quality partnership between the student and EKU Online from initial engagement

  • Expert Instructors
  • Student-Centered Approach
  • Breaking down Educational Barriers
  • Inclusive, Welcoming Learning Environments

EKU Online FAQs

No. All EKU Online students pay the same tuition regardless of residency status.

EKU Online programs are designed with busy working professionals in mind. We offer a convenient eight week class format and customizable pace to allow you to complete your degree quickly and according to your schedule. The majority of our students have families and work full-time, so sacrificing work and personal obligations is not an option. Your advisor will work with you each semester to find the right course load for you.

Our professors welcome and encourage a high degree of engagement and feedback from online students. You will be able to communicate with your professors and classmates via chat, email, discussion boards and forums. Programs often see students set up Facebook groups for discussion, group work and study.

The only difference between an online degree and a traditional degree is that the course work was completed online. Upon graduation, you will hold a degree from Eastern Kentucky University, and you will have all the rights and privileges of traditional EKU alumni.

Though you are welcome to visit our campuses anytime, nearly every program offered by EKU Online can be completed without ever setting foot on campus. The only exceptions to this are our paralegal program, which requires 2 weeks of on-campus sessions devoted to writing and research, and the fire, arson and explosion investigation program, which requires 2 weeks of hands-on activity at the EKU Fire Labs.

You will need a computer with high bandwidth Internet access (not a dial-up connection), a Flash player and speakers. It is recommended that you use Mozilla Firefox as your primary browser when working with the system. Some courses will have additional requirements. The EKU tech support team is always available to answer any technical questions you may have as an online student.

Eastern Kentucky University awards transfer credit for courses completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Up to 90 credit hours of undergraduate work may be transferred from other institutions, however; students must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours for associates programs and 30 credit hours for bachelor’s programs through EKU to be awarded a degree from the institution.

Students pursuing online degrees at Eastern Kentucky University may also qualify for federal financial aid (loans and grants), private loans, employer tuition reimbursement and military benefits.

EKU Online degree programs offer classes on your schedule. With relatively few exceptions, you will log in at your convenience and will not be expected to be at your computer at a certain time each day. Students can work at a pace that works for them, as long as homework assignments and exams are completed by the instructors’ deadlines.

Most online courses are offered in two 8-week terms in the fall and spring semesters and two 6-week terms in the summer.  This accelerated schedule allows you to focus on two classes per term and still carry a full-time load over the course of the semester. There are approximately six start dates each calendar year.

Online courses are taught at an accelerated pace. Generally, classes last for 8 weeks fall A, fall, B, spring A and spring B. Classes run for 6 weeks in summer A and summer B. Undergraduates seeking status as full-time students should take 2 courses, or 6 hours, during each session. Two courses in fall A and 2 courses in fall B would give a student a total of 12 hours, or full-time status, for the fall semester, for example. The same rules apply for the summer terms.

Most online courses are offered in two 8-week terms in the fall and spring semesters and two 6-week terms in the summer.  This accelerated schedule allows you to focus on two classes per term and still carry a full-time load over the course of the semester. There are approximately six start dates each calendar year.

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