our programs

Academic Readiness Program

The Academic Readiness Program provides personalized services for selected first-year students working to improve their basic skills in writing, reading, and mathematics. Working with academic advising staff in the students' colleges, the Office of Retention and Student Success can help students achieve their maximum potential for academic success.

Discovery Seminar Program

Now in its 13th year, the DISCOVERY SEMINAR PROGRAM (DSP) continues to be a most exciting opportunity for first-year students. DSP
offers small classes with the most engaging professors at UK, who are ready to help you discover the frontiers of knowledge. Discovery seminars are offered on topics such as social inequality, the environment, religion and politics, community service, music, art, and American sign language.

Honors Program

Through its special multi-disciplinary curriculum and emphasis on active, small-group learning, as well as its related extra curricular and support activities, the Honors Program provides an alternative course of instruction for outstanding, highly motivated students drawn from around the state and throughout the region and country.

Intercollegiate Debate Program

The University of Kentucky has one of the most successful debate programs in the country.Over the past twenty-seven years, Kentucky has had twelve teams in the quarter finals of the National Debate Tournament (NDT), six that reached semi-finals and one team which won the NDT.

Big Blue Network

Big Blue Network is an online social network designed exclusively for members of the University of Kentucky's campus family. The goal of the network is to build real connections between students, and between students and the University in a safe and private space to interact.

The Writing Initiative

The Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) establishes the minimum criteria for students exiting with an undergraduate degree. Individual majors may have additional writing requirements.

Service Learning Program

Service-learning is both a philosophy of education and a method of teaching that bridges the classroom and the community by engaging learners in the application of theory to service. Students may have a chance to participate in meaningful service and practical learning on an individual basis or through group projects incorporated into UK courses and programs by faculty. There are 55 service-learning sites and community partners.

University of Kentucky Second Life Initiative

The University of Kentucky Island in Second Life is a collaborative effort across colleges and academic support units for both teaching and research in this 3D virtual world application. Some of the primary stakeholders in the research, academic events, faculty awards and policy development at the University of Kentucky Island are: TASC, UK Libraries, Chellegren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Department of Art and WRFL.