Admission Requirements

Applicants that do not possess an undergraduate degree in business can be provided access to academic leveling courses. These academic leveling courses include Principles of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing, as well as Statistics. 

Students wishing to pursue the MBA Accounting concentration should have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting or demonstrate completion of accounting studies equivalent to the degree.

Admission to the Master of Science in Justice Administration program will be based on evidence that the applicant has demonstrated academic proficiency and the capability for success at the graduate level.

Full Admission:

Upon Admission to the Master’s in Justice Administration program, new students must participate in and complete an Advising Meeting with the program Director prior to completing the enrollment process.

Admission to the School of Education:

University of the Cumberlands has established qualitative and quantitative requirements for the admission of candidates whose education preparation evidences the potential for a high-level performance. All admissions materials must be received in the Graduate Admissions Office.

Application Processfor Master of Arts in Teaching(MAT):

• MAT degree admissionrequires a grade point averageof at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Submit three letters of recommendation (one from past or present professors and/or professional associates and one from an employer) onthe Disposition Surveyform.
• Completed Background Check.
• MAED, Rank I and administrative certification, or degree admissionrequires a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.
• Submit one copy of the Provisional/Valid TeachingCertificate OR Statement of Eligibility
• All applicants must be certified teachersand have an adequate number of years’ experience if applicable. (See programrequirements for more information)
• Submit one copy of the appropriate standardized test score sheet perthe candidate’s program.
• Submit three letters of recommendation (one from past or present professors and/or professional associates and one from an employer) on the Disposition Surveyform.
• Documentation of Teaching Experience (3 years for all programs other than School Counseling) and/or Administrative Experience (2 years) depending upon the program.
• AdmissionStatus:

Conditional Admittance:

• Candidates who do not have all the paperwork in the Graduate Admissions Office by the third week of the term will be provisionally admitted to the University. Failure to complete the required paperwork by the fourth week will result in a candidate being dropped from all coursework. The candidate may not continue in the program until all paperwork is received.
• Individuals who are admitted into the University without meeting all admissions requirements may take up to 12 hours of coursework but are not officially a part of the Graduate Education Program.

Full Admittance to the University:

Candidates who meet all the above requirements and who have successfully completed the application process may be fully admitted to the university with admission to the Graduate Education Program pending Graduate Education Committee approval.

Full Admittance into Teacher EducationProgram (Certification):

All documents must be on file in the Graduate Admissions Office prior to the beginning of the term. Failure to complete the above requirements will result in a candidate being dropped from all coursework. After notification of acceptance, the candidate will enroll in coursework. An advisor will be assigned by the Graduate Student Success office. All graduate candidates who are beginning a new program must reapply for subsequent programs. A candidate who has just finished a Master’s degree, for example, must reapply before beginning a Rank I program.

Admission to the program:

A baccalaureate degree with a concentration in nursing is required for admission into the graduate program.Entry-level applicants must (i) have graduated from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education and earned a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing; and (ii) hold a current and unencumbered Registered Nurse license.

Secondary-track applicants must (i) have attended a postgraduate programat a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education and earned a master’s degree in nursing; and (ii) hold a current and unencumbered Registered Nurse license.

All applicants must submit the following information:

• Completed application and $30 application fee.
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from all colleges and universities attended. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all prior coursework is required for full admission. A conditional admission will be considered for applicants with a cumulative grade point average(GPA) of 2.75. If conditional admittance is granted,a GPA of 3.0 is expected with the completion of 12 hours of coursework.
• Essay: In 500-700 words, please describe your understanding of the role of the MSN prepared nurse, reasons for pursuing the degree, and how obtaining the degree will change your future practice. Also, please address what strengths and weaknesses you will bring to the program and your understanding of online learning. 
• Evidence of a current and unencumbered Registered Nurse license
• Completion of a three hour graduate or undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or higher. A conditional admission may be granted if the applicant is unable to submit evidence of prior completion but this requirement must be met within the first 12 hours of coursework.

Students may be admitted into this Master’s program on one of two licensure tracks:

• Students with a baccalaureate degree in Nursing are admitted into the 2 Year Entry-Level Track.
• Students who have already earned a master’s degree in Nursing in another concentration (ex. Nursing Administration or Nursing Education) may be admitted into the 18 month Secondary Track.

Entry-Level Track (2 Years):

Students who have graduated from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education with a baccalaureate degree in Nursing would begin the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner in this track.

This full 48-semester-hour curriculum may be completed in two years and includes online courses and 720 clinical hours (including the final practicum). There are 24 credit hours of didactic courses that are offered in an eight-week, bi-term format. Eighteen credit hours will be offered through blended learning requiring online didactic course work with the addition of onsite clinical practice with a University approved clinical preceptor. The remaining six hours of the curriculum will be completed through the concentrated Clinical Practicum. The master’s degree is conferred upon successful completion of all coursework and the Clinical Practicum.

Secondary Track (1 Year): 

Students who have attended a postgraduate program at a regionally-accredited or state-approved institution of higher education and earned a master’s degree in nursing with a different concentration (ex. Nursing Administration or Nursing Education) would begin the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner in Secondary track in order to be eligible to test for Advanced PracticeBoard Certification.

Students will be required to complete the 33 hours of curriculum specific to a Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner concentration: Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, FNP Advanced PracticeI, II, and III as well as 360 hours of supervised clinical and an additional 360 hours of supervised clinical internship (total of 720 clinical hours for the program). Students will be required to take any course required by University of the Cumberlands that they did not complete successfully at their previous institution. Up to 15 semester hours of transfer credit are permitted from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education. The 33-hour curriculum includes online courses, 360 hours of supervised clinical, and an additional 360hours of supervised clinical internship (total of 720 clinical hours for the program).

In addition, 100% of the didactic hours of the curriculum can be completed online. The remainder of the curriculum is delivered through completion of the Clinical Practicum requirements utilizing University approved preceptors and clinical sites. The post master’s certificate is conferred upon successful completion of all coursework and the ClinicalPracticum.

To qualify for the program, you must meet or exceed the following criteria:  

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

2. Successfully complete the following prerequisite courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and statistics. A minimum cumulative GPA for prerequisites of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required. In addition, a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course is required. Prerequisite courses must be completed within ten years prior to admission.

• General Biology 1 and 2 with laboratory (6 semester hours or equivalent)
• General Chemistry 1 and 2 with laboratory (6 semester hours or equivalent)  
• General Physics 1 and 2 with laboratory (6 semester hours or equivalent)   
• Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with laboratory (6 semester hours or equivalent) 
• Statistics (3 semester hours or equivalent)
• General Psychology (3 semester hours or equivalent)
• A minimum of one 3 semester hour or equivalent writing intensive course in humanities or social sciences

Physical therapy education and practice requires a strong science background. Additional upper-level Biology or Health Science courses (embryology, advanced physiology, genetics, etc.) are recommended. 

3. Complete twenty hours (20) of observation or employment in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and verified by the physical therapist. The purpose of observation hours is to help the applicant develop a basic understanding/knowledge of the PT profession before committing to the rigorous process of obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Observation hours may be completed in outpatient and/or inpatient settings. 

4. Submit three letters of reference from professionals who are familiar with your personal and professional characteristics and can best address your potential for success in the DPT program. One letter should come from a college/university faculty member or advisor: one from a licensed physical therapist, and one from an employer or an advisor for an organization.

5. Demonstrate English Fluency.  All applicants for whom English is not their first language, or those who completed a bachelor’s degree and prerequisites from a college or university in a foreign country, must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or complete an approved English as a Second Language (ESL) course with the past five years.

Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are:

• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
• Educational Perspectives (EP)
• SpanTran

6. Demonstrate an ability to meet Program Technical Standards

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 

• observation,
• communication, 
• motor/psychomotor,
• cognitive (intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative), and 
• behavioral and social.  

Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet program Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a six semester, 24 month, 115 credit hour program. During the first full year of Cumberlands’ DPT program, students will participate in online classes and early integrated clinical experiences and will attend intensive lab immersions held on Cumberlands’ main campus in Williamsburg, Kentucky. During the second year of the program, students will participate in online classes, on-campus lab immersions, and three full-time clinical experiences. Full-time clinical experiences will be held throughout Kentucky and across the United States.

All applicants must submit the following information:

• Completed CASPA application
• Completed PA Supplemental application
• An earned bachelor’s degree with an overall minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• Main Campus: A minimum average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in required pre-requisite courses with a minimum of a C in all prerequisite courses.
• Main Campus: A minimum of 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale in the sciences as figured by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Main Campus: A minimum of 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale in the combined prerequisite courses below as figured by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Ability to fulfill any university admission requirements.
• Successful completion, with a minimum letter grade of “C” or better, within ten years prior to admission of the following undergraduate or graduate prerequisite courses:
• Anatomy with lab (Human required at NKY campus; Human preferred at Main campus) - 3 semester hours or more.
• Physiology with lab (Human required at NKY campus; Human preferred at Main campus) -3 semester hours or more.
• Microbiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
• Medical Terminology
• Biology electives- 6 credit hours (Must be upper-level Biology courses, highly recommend genetics, molecular biology, histology, immunology)
• General Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs- 3 semester hours or more
• Organic 1 orBiochemistry
• Psychology (Abnormal or Developmental preferred)- 3 semester hours or more
• Statistics- 3 semester hours or more
• Direct Patient Contact Hours (minimum of 500 hours of paid employment or volunteer hours; must include a minimum of 50 hours PA shadowing)
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation (Acceptable references: MD, DO, PA, or NP as well as academic advisors)
• Successful completion of an interview with and positive recommendation from program faculty

All applicants must submit the following information:

• Completed CASPA application
• Completed PA Supplemental Application
• Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution.
• An earned bachelor’s degree with an overall minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A minimum Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale calculated by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Ability to fulfill any university admission requirements.
• A minimum letter grade of “C” or better, within ten years prior to admission of the following undergraduate or graduate courses:
• Human Anatomy with lab - 3 semester hours or more
• Human Physiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
• Microbiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
• Medical Terminology
• Biology electives - 6 credit hours (Must be upper-level Biology courses; highly recommend Genetics, Molecular Biology,Histology, Immunology)
• General Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs -3 semester hours or more
• Organic 1 orBiochemistry
• Psychology (Abnormal or Developmental preferred) - 3 semester hours or more
• Statistics - 3 semester hours or more
• Direct Patient Contact Hours (minimum of 500 hours of paid employment or volunteer hours; must include a minimum of 50 hours PA shadowing)
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation with at least one from a physician (MD/DO) or PA
• Successful completion of an interview with and positive recommendation from program faculty

The following items are necessary for admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program:

• Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
• A completed Bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  *A 2.5 to 2.9 GPA could be considered for review if the additional essay prompt is completed with the associated Writing Sample
• Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
• Writing Sample Prompt
• Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are: 
  • Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550 
  • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79 
  • IELTS - 6
  • Duolingo - 100
• Any international coursework completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
  Approved Evaluation Firms are:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  • Educational Perspectives (EP)
  • SpanTran
• Submit two Letters of Reference from individuals commenting on the applicants academic and professional potential

All admissions materials should be submitted to Graduate Admissions:

University of the Cumberlands
Graduate & Online Admissions
649 S. 10th Street Suite C
Williamsburg, KY 40769

Phone 606.539.4390
Toll Free 800.343.1609
Email gradadm [at] ucumberlands.edu (gradadm[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)

Previous Education Requirements

Completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college showing a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Transfer of Credit Policy

The Online Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Program requires completion of 60 hours of graduate level work. This is also a requirement for licensure as a Professional Counselor in most states.

A maximum of eighteen credit hours of credit may be transferred from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning. These transfer credits must be in courses determined to be equivalent to courses required in the program. All transfer credits must be approved by the Program Director and the Registrar.

Responsibility for the routine administration of the policies and procedures of the program resides with the Program Director or Dean for School of Social and Behavioral Sciences under the oversight of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

To be considered for admission into the PhD program, prospective candidates must:

• Hold a CACREP accredited master’s degree in counseling or a counseling degree determined equivalent by the Counseling Department. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be required to complete additional coursework if admitted into the PhD program.
• Hold a current professional clinical license.
• Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work as verified by official transcripts.
• A copy of one of the following test scores must be submitted: NCE or NCMHCE. Scores can be emailed directly from the applicant.
• Writing Sample describing the student’s research interests. In evaluating the applicant’s essay, scrutiny is placed on grammar, voice, and topic; please note that prospective research topics must fit within the range of expertise and interests that program faculty could reasonably supervise. Please follow this Writing Sample Prompt.
• Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are: 
  • Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550 
  • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79 
  • IELTS - 6
  • Duolingo - 100
• Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
  Approved Evaluation Firms are:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  • Educational Perspectives (EP)
  • SpanTran
• Submit two (2) Letters of Recommendation. Letters must be received directly from individuals making a recommendation.
• Provide current resume/CV
• If all of the above criteria are met, the prospective student must be interviewed by the Director of the doctoral program or authorized representatives

All admissions materials should be submitted to Graduate Admissions:

University of the Cumberlands
Graduate & Online Admissions
649 S. 10th Street Suite C
Williamsburg, KY 40769

Phone 606.539.4390
Toll Free 800.343.1609
Email gradadm [at] ucumberlands.edu (gradadm[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)