Help

Undergraduate Degrees

• Visit Our Application Page

Graduate Degrees

• Visit Our Graduate Application Page

Create Your Account

If you previously applied to NKU for an undergraduate term before Fall 2025 or a graduate term before Fall 2026 and wish to start a new application, you will need to create a new account and reapply at Our Application Page. For domestic students, there is no application fee.

The application will lead you through various sections, including personal details, enrollment information, academic history, and relationships. If you have any questions about these sections, please contact the Office of Admissions at nkuadmissions@nku.edu or call (859) 572-5220. The office is open Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

For international students, there are additional steps in the application process. View Our International Student Application Page for more information.

Not sure which type of student you'll be classified as? Refer to this guide to ensure you submit your application correctly:

Undergraduate

Freshman

• You have earned or will soon earn a high school diploma or GED, and
• You have never enrolled in a college or university after high school graduation.

Transfer

• You've graduated from high school and have already taken college-level courses for credit at another regionally accredited college or university (not including dual-credit courses taken in high school).

Transfer – 2NKU Program

• You're currently enrolled at one of NKU's partner community colleges and plan to transfer to NKU through the 2NKU Program. 

Readmit

• You've attended NKU in the past but haven’t been enrolled here or at any other college for the last two years.

Consortium

• Consortium applicants are those who attend another college or university within the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3) and wish to take classes at NKU.

Visiting

• You're enrolled at another college or university and want to take classes at NKU for one semester.

Just Taking Classes

• You're interested in completing a micro-credential or you'd like to enroll as a non-degree seeking student.

Post-Bachelor

• You've already received a bachelor's degree and intend to enroll for additional undergraduate credit.

Certificate

• For those who are interested in any of our certificate offerings.

Graduate

Degree Seeking

• If you plan to earn a master's degree in any of our programs, you will be considered a degree seeking student.  You must possess a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a minimum 3.0 on all graduate work to be considered for admission.  Each program will have an additional set of admission requirements which may include a standardized test and writing sample.  Check with the program for specific information.

Unclassified

• If you do not plan to enter a degree program at this time, you may enter as an Unclassified student. Certificate programs are considered non-degree.  You must possess a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a minimum 3.0 on all graduate work to be considered for admission.  Certificate programs may have additional requirements for admissions.  Check with the program for specific information.

Visiting

• If you are attending another university and want to take a course from NKU to transfer to that university, you may do so as a Visiting student.  In addition to the main application, you must submit the Visiting Student form signed by your advisor. Transcripts are not required except for students who want to take a course in the College of Business.

Consortium

• You are designated a Consortium student if you are attending a university within the Greater Cincinnati area and are taking the NKU course through the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities (GCCCU).

Selective Undergraduate Admissions Program Information

Admission to Northern Kentucky University does not ensure acceptance into a selective admission degree program. For students applying to programs in the Theatre & Dance and music departments, an audition is required. More details can be found below:

Music Auditions

Theatre & Dance Auditions

Several other academic programs at NKU practice selective admissions, but do not require an application. These programs admit students as pre-majors until they have met program requirements.