Evaluation for admission is based on the student's academic record, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. The Graduate School has minimum requirements for admission as outlined by the Graduate School Bulletin ( i.e., B.S. degree from an accredited institution, a grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, and Graduate Record Examination [GRE] scores; Graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).  Individual graduate programs may require a higher grade‐ point average and the Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences Graduate Program will reserve the right to enforce more stringent admissions requirements.

The University of Kentucky requires minimum TOEFL scores of 550 (paper‐based), 213 (computer‐based), or 79 (internet‐based) or an IELTS score of 6.5 for all international students whose first language is not English.  International students who receive college degrees from US universities and universities in other designated English‐speaking countries may be exempted from taking the TOEFL test, but this is determined on a case‐by‐case basis by the Graduate School. The Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences Graduate Program will also reserve the right to enforce more stringent English language requirements as part of its admission process.

Individual options in IPSS may require specific academic background that must be met before admission to the program is allowed or that must be satisfied early in the student’s academic career.

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The average time required to a M.S. degree in IPSS, based on the previous 5 years of data, is 2.62 years.  (This includes all thesis and non-thesis students at the master's level)

The average time required to a Ph.D. degree in IPSS, based on previous 5 years of data, is 4.76 years. (Data includes Ph.D. students entering with and without a master’s degree.)

The ultimate answer is between the student and advising professor.  HOWEVER, graduate school is considered a full-time job.

It is not only okay, but it is strongly encouraged.

Fall semester admission– April 15

Spring semester admission- August 22

Summer semester - International students are not admitted for summer sessions

Complete details are on the UK Graduate School website at this link.

Application forms for Admission and Assistantships/Fellowships can be obtained and completed on‐line from the Graduate School.  In addition, applicants will supply a cover letter (specifying, if known, areas of interest or faculty they are interested in working with), unofficial copies of transcripts, and at least three letters of recommendation and send them to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences Graduate Program
105 Plant Science Building
Lexington, KY 40546‐0312

A student may enter the program Post-Baccalaureate and take classes toward earning a graduate degree prior to taking the GRE. Details are explained at this Graduate School site.

Additionally, graduating seniors may apply for part-time graduate student status.  Please refer to this page at the Graduate School for complete details.

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From the Graduate School Bulletin:

Graduating Seniors as Part-Time Graduate Students

Seniors at the University of Kentucky lacking no more than 6 credit hours for graduation and having an undergraduate average of at least 2.75 on all work attempted may register in the Graduate School in conditional status with the consent of the undergraduate college dean, the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The total load of such students may not exceed 12 credit hours. Graduate credit will be allowed for each credit hour of graduate work beyond the six or fewer credit hours needed to complete undergraduate requirements. Requirements for the undergraduate degree must be completed during the semester in which the student is allowed to register for part-time graduate work. Students applying for admission to the Graduate School under these conditions must fill out a petition form listing the course or courses to be taken to complete the undergraduate requirements.

You are officially considered a transfer student. The deadline for Fall term is August 1. The student will need to reach out to the transfer admissions office. They will be able to direct him to the correct advisor for this. An admissions advisor will be able to confirm the exact dates.

Admissions Office
100 Funkhouser Building 
Lexington, KY 40506-0054 
UKTransfer@uky.edu
P: 859-257-2000

Sara Price is the Director for Transfer Admissions, and may be a more direct point of contact: Phone: 859-218-1561

There is no time limit on the GRE scores that a student submits. However, the Graduate School ultimately requires an official score sent directly from ETS, and ETS purges old scores after 5 years.

If a student has an ‘unofficial’ official copy of their GRE scores the program can petition the Graduate School to accept it as the official score.

If the student has previously applied to UK and submitted the GRE scores at an earlier date they may still be in the system.

If the student has submitted the GRE scores to another US institution that required GRE scores, the Graduate School can request those scores from the other university and use them as the official scores.

Yes. You can apply to more than one program. You have to pay the application fee for each program to which you apply.

You must revisit the site each time you wish to submit a new application. If you want to change the program to which you initially applied, contact the Graduate School. This does not require a separate application fee.

The registration window for new post baccalaureate students opens in August, according to the Registrar’s Academic Calendar page. If this will be the first semester here, you will need to wait until then to enroll in courses.