Academic Forms + FAQs

While many of the degree programs within the college have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0, some do have selective admission or require a higher GPA. For a complete list of degree requirements, see the appropriate major sheet. 

UK Core is the general education component of your degree. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects and how they apply to real life. While selecting your UK Core courses, refer to your advisor and your program major sheet. Some degree programs have suggested UK Core courses to fulfill program requirements and/or prerequisites. UK course listings can be found here or in the course catalog in myUK.

If you’ve already taken a course elsewhere, you may be able to substitute it for a UK Core requirement. Discuss this with your advisor prior to filing a petition. If you took the course at another institution and you’re waiting for it to be evaluated, check with the Transfer Equivalency Office.

Students may substitute a course within their degree program with official approval from their advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Petition for Course Substitution

In addition to the Writing Requirement within UK Core Composition and Communication I and II (CIS/WRD 110 and 111 or CIS/WRD 112), you’re also required to fulfill the GCCR requirement. This requirement ensures a minimum level of writing upon graduation with an undergraduate degree. You must have 30 credit hours earned prior to taking the GCCR course and have credit for UK Core Composition and Communication I and II. Finally, students must earn a “C” average on Comp and Comm intensive assignments to earn GCCR credit.

See dates and instructions from the Office of the University Registrar.

For exact dates, refer to the Academic Calendar. Typically, you may add a class during the first week of the semester and drop a class during the first three weeks. If you choose to drop a class after the last day, a “W” (withdrawal) will be placed on your transcript.

See withdrawal instructions from the Office of the University Registrar.

It may, especially if the drop will place you in part-time status (i.e., below 12 hours). Contact the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to be sure.

Priority registration is based on the number of credit hours you’ve already earned. If you missed your priority registration window, you will have other opportunities to register. Log in to myUK and click “Plan and Register for Courses.”

A full-time student may take 19 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, 4 credit hours during summer I and 9 credit hours during summer II. 

However, if you’re on academic probation, you may take 15 hours during the fall and spring semesters, 3 credit hours during summer I and 7 credit hours during summer II. 

For a student in good standing with a strong GPA, it may be possible to get a credit overload override by contacting the Center for Student Success at 859-257-3468. You may be required to schedule an appointment.

There are two ways to check which classes will be offered in upcoming semesters.

• Check the Office of the University Registrar’s website.
• Log in to myUK and click “Plan and Register for Courses,” then “Search Course Catalog.”

Some classes offer an electronic wait list, and a student may place themselves on the list. Once a seat in the class is available, the student will automatically be enrolled in the order in which they were waitlisted. It’s important to check the wait list to find out if you get enrolled in the class. Contact the appropriate department for additional details. If a student is still on an electronic wait list at the end of the last day to add a class (one week after classes begin), the student will be dropped from the wait list. Please have a backup plan in place.

An advisor hold is in place to ensure you meet with your advisor and discuss your class schedule prior to registering for classes. If you have met with an advisor and your hold has not been lifted, contact the Center for Student Success.

This is college- and department-specific. Within the Martin-Gatton CAFE, it’s best to contact the instructor. However, Agricultural Economics courses have an override coordinator; call 859-257-7264 and tell them you’d like to request an override. You’ll be sent a form to fill out and return as soon as possible.

If you’re told an electronic override was issued, you may register for the course through myUK, as you usually would. Otherwise, contact the Center for Student Success at 859-257-3468.

File a Repeat Option Form with the Office of the University Registrar.

You may request an official transcript from the Office of the University Registrar. Fees and holds may apply.

Undergraduates may enroll in graduate-level coursework with proper approval from their department and the UK Graduate School.

Students may work with a faculty member to develop an individualized plan of study for select courses. 

Undergraduate Independent Study Contract 

Graduate Independent Study Contract

Yes, but the internship credit must be approved. Many programs have a required internship course built into their curriculum. To enroll:

1. Schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss the internship. It’s a good idea to have this conversation the semester before you intend to begin an internship.
2. Before your appointment, review the learning contract.
3. Complete the document after speaking with your advisor.
4. Acquire signatures: Your advisor, the chair of your department and your own.
5. Speak with your advisor about the submission process. Some forms must be turned in to the department, and others can be turned in to N24 Agricultural Science Center.

Internship paperwork must be turned in no later than two weeks after the start of your internship to receive credit.

Choosing a major can be stressful, and it's common for students to change their major. Our college offers great support for students who are exploring their options.

Our Programs

Advising and Student Services

Majors can be changed via the online major change system in myUK. Some programs have selective admission; if you’re planning to earn a degree in the following colleges you’ll need to contact them to apply prior to changing your major: Business and Economics, Nursing, Health Sciences, or Communication and Information.

If you’re changing your major within the Martin-Gatton CAFE, it can be done at any time via the online major change system. To transfer out of the college, refer to the Academic Calendar.

A student working toward a degree will complete all university, college, major and pre-major requirements. In addition, a student may choose to complete all major and pre-major requirements in another area. This may be done concurrently or once the first degree is earned. It will not result in additional degrees; however, the second major will be reflected on the student’s transcript. It is recommended that a student have an advisor in their degree area as well as their second major area.

A graduate student must have special permission from The Graduate School to add a double major. Double or tertiary majors can be added through the online major change system.

A dual degree will result in two earned degrees. A student must complete all university, college, pre-major and major requirements for the primary degree and for the secondary degree; however, it is possible for requirements in one degree to fulfill parallel requirements in the second degree. A student must earn a minimum of 144 between both degrees. Students may earn two degrees concurrently and are required to have an advisor in each degree program.

If you are a current Martin-Gatton CAFE student, email cafeadvising@uky.edu from your UK email address to declare a dual degree. Include the following information in your email:

• Student ID#.
• The degree designation for your second degree (B.A. or B.S.).
• The major you would like to declare for your second degree.

A minor is a structured group of courses that leads to a solid understanding of a subject, although with less depth than a major. Depending on interests and career goals, some students choose to complement their major program with a minor in a related field or even in an entirely different field of interest. Explore our minors.

Certificate programs offer students a convenient and flexible way to earn credentials for career advancement. All are cross-disciplinary clusters of courses integrated in a way that identifies a set of skills or knowledge that carries college credit and is applied to a student’s degree. Explore our certificates.

Majors, minors and certificates can be changed through the online major change system.

You must complete a degree application the semester before you graduate. Applications may be submitted via myUK or myGPS.

• April 1: Deadline for May and August graduates.
• Nov. 1: Deadline for December graduates.

Prior to applying for graduation, run a degree audit to ensure you have completed all requirements. See our step-by-step instructions. 

Visit our Commencement website for details. 

Yes. The university holds Commencement at Rupp Arena in May and December. Visit our Commencement website in mid-October to register for the December ceremony or early March to register for the May ceremony. If you’re unable to attend, you aren’t required to let anyone know. 

Yes, a cap and gown are required. You may purchase/order a cap and gown during Grad Salute or at the UK Bookstore.

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment students wear a Maize-colored tassel.

Check your unofficial transcript and look at your cumulative GPA.

With 90 earned hours at UK:

• 3.4-3.59: Cum laude
• 3.6-3.79: Magna cum laude
• 3.8-4.0: Summa cum laude

Students with a minimum of two years (60 hours) but less than three years (90 hours) of work at the university will receive the appropriate Commencement honors if they attain a grade-point average of 0.2 greater than those specified for three years of residence work.

Diplomas are typically mailed out within 3-4 months of your degree completion. The diploma will be sent to the address you provided when you filled out your degree application via myUK. Unpaid dues and fees may delay receipt.

First, discuss the problem with your instructor if you’re comfortable doing so.

If you have an academic problem and are unable to resolve it with your instructor, you may schedule an appointment with the Associate Dean for Instruction at 859-257-3469.

Another option is to contact the University Academic Ombud. The Ombud is available to assist students and instructors in resolving academic conflicts. The office keeps everything confidential and will not notify anyone of your situation without permission. 

To begin the process, contact the Center for Student Success at 859-257-3468. 

See reinstatement policies from the Academic Ombud.

To be considered for reinstatement, complete the Reinstatement Application. Once the application has been received, you will be contacted to schedule a reinstatement appointment.

Prior to the last day to withdraw for academic reasons, contact the Office of the University Registrar or complete the withdrawal form to withdraw from your courses.

After the last day to withdraw, students can only withdraw for urgent, nonacademic reasons through their college. Contact the Center for Student Success with questions and submit a Post-Midterm Withdrawal petition. The Martin-Gatton CAFE Post-Midterm Withdrawal link will open for submissions the day after the last day to withdraw for academic reasons (see the Academic Calendar).

Before submitting a Post-Midterm Withdrawal petition, you should meet with your instructor, academic advisor or secondary advisor (e.g., LLP coordinator, CARES Advisor, etc.).

Post-Midterm Withdrawal petitions will only be considered for demonstrated urgent, nonacademic reasons, such as documented health issues, personal crisis, family emergency and serious financial difficulties. Required documents for petition consideration include a personal statement, supporting documentation with identifiable information and course information/instructor contact.

Post-Midterm Withdrawal petitions will not be considered for courses that have ended or for which a final grade has been recorded.

Incomplete or insufficient petitions will not be considered and will be denied by the committee.

Questions related to any impact on financial aid or scholarships should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.