Engineering is one of the most progressive, challenging and rewarding careers available. The car you drive, the computer on your desk and the cell phone in your pocket — all these things that make up your daily life come in part from engineers. From building bridges to discovering new medications to writing the software that powers the Internet, engineers do things that make our 21st-century world work.
Engineering is one of the few four-year undergraduate degree programs that can turn you into a fully qualified, high-earning professionals. As an engineer, you can take part in the most exciting research and exploration happening on the planet — and sometimes off it, too! Engineers are the creators, thinkers and innovators whose ideas and inspirations drive our global marketplace.
A degree at UK Paducah offers a great value to students looking to save money and stay close to home while still earning a degree from a nationally-recognized state university. UK Paducah offers an ABET-accredited four-year bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer engineering technology without ever leaving home.
When you pursue a chemical or mechanical engineering degree you will take your classes in Paducah while still being a full student at the University of Kentucky, a top-100 engineering institution and the highest-ranked engineering program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. UK Paducah offers identical curriculum requirements, academic standards and admission criteria as the main UK campus in Lexington, but you don’t have to transfer or travel to get it!
The computer engineering technology B.S. is offered as a 2+2 program with West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Students will spend two years as WKCTC and receive an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Engineering Technology. Students will then spend two years at the Pigman Engineering Paducah Campus and receive a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology.
UK Paducah offers two Bachelor of Science degrees in either chemical or mechanical engineering. All four years of classes can be taken in Paducah. UK Paducah also offers a B.S in Computer Engineering Technology as part of a 2+2 program with WKCTK.
A Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering is available at the UK Paducah through a non-thesis option. Total graduate coursework of 30 hours is required, which include two upper-level math courses and 15 hours of 600 or 700 level courses. While some 500 level engineering courses can be taken live at the Paducah campus, the 600 level courses will have to be taken via the interactive television (ITV) connection with Lexington. No traveling is necessary; however, graduate-level courses are usually available only when a cohort of five or more are available at a remote site. To enter this program, a Bachelor of Science in engineering or a closely related field is required. For those with non-engineering undergraduate degrees, up to four undergraduate ME courses are required during a probationary period. Refer to the ME graduate program website for more details. All pre-requisite requirements are available at Paducah.
A new, 100% online Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering (MFS) from the Department of Mechanical Engineering is available. This program may be particularly beneficial to those employed full-time in Western Kentucky.
While the extended campus in Paducah does not directly offer the thesis option for graduate degrees, students can still earn their degree in cooperation with the Lexington and Paducah campuses. If the research is performed under faculty at Paducah, a student may have the option to split time between the two campuses. Course work will primarily take place in Lexington, while the majority of research will take place in Paducah.
Below are links to other campus resources that may be of use.
With the start of something new, questions are sure to follow. Please read through our New Student FAQs to make sure you have the answers you need to have a successful start to your program!
Students need to apply for the FAFSA and complete their UK and WKCTC Scholarship Applications EACH ACADEMIC YEAR. Scholarships Applications and updated FAFSA applications both open in October and scholarship applications are due March 1st.
SET A CALENDAR REMINDER! The earlier you apply, the more funding you may be eligible to receive!
Students are charged WKCTC’s tuition rate until they are eligible to declare their major.
CME-ME Students, major is declared when Engineering Standing is awarded (Junior Year Courses).
CET Student’s declare their major when admitted to UK.
Once a major is confirmed, the tuition rate will be set by UK. -*UK Paducah students save significantly!
UK Paducah Campus adheres to WKCTC’s Campus closures. If you’re enrolled in both UK courses and WKCTC, you will need to follow both WKCTC’s Academic Calendar and UK’s Academic Calendar to note important dates ( such as drop dates/ deadlines).
Our Financial Aid Counseling Team works together to provide information and solutions that assist our students with affording their educational expenses. Students can Schedule an online Appointment or call our office with questions at (859) 257-3172.
*During peak times appointments may only be available as “In-Person” on our scheduling page. Please note that you may indicate in the "Provide Additional Information" section that you would like for a counselor to send a virtual link for that time or to call you at the number you provide, during that scheduled appointment time.
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (ET) Online and In-Person
If you are expecting a scholarship from an outside agency that is not currently listed on your account, please contact the awarding agency directly to determine when the funds will be disbursed to the University of Kentucky. Once the scholarship funds are received by the University, it may take up to 10 business days to be credited to the student's account. For questions, please contact externalschol@uky.edu.
Mailing Address for Scholarship Checks
Students receiving scholarships from outside sources should request that their donor send the scholarship funds to:
University of Kentucky - Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
128 Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0054
Please include student's FULL name, the semesters the funds cover, and the student's linkblue ID.
CME-ME Students- once admitted, you concurrently enroll in both West Kentucky and UK courses. Courses taken through WKCTC’s Campus will be counted towards your UK Cumulative GPA. If you enroll in a course outside of WKCTC (other KCTCS colleges), the course will not be included.
CET Students – Your UK Cumulative GPA starts once you are admitted into UK therefore, WKCTC classes are not counted in your UK GPA. Courses through WKCTC/ KCTCS taken after you’re admitted are received back as transfer credit.
Unless a course substitution is required, WKCTC automatically awards their certificates once they verify the courses in the certificate are complete.
* 3D Modeler Certification- will require the CAD Coordinator to approve UK course substitutions.
Students are required to apply for UK certificates. Students apply on the certificate’s website.
If you plan on attending WKCTC’s Graduation Ceremony and/or have questions, visit Commencement and Ceremony Information.
UK-Paducah works closely with our Seniors to help them prepare for our Paducah Campus Ceremony. If you plan on attending main campus’ graduation, you must register for your ceremony on UK’s Commencement website.
Associates: apply for graduation when you register for the last semester of your Associate degree requirements. West Kentucky Graduation Application. Students can verify their degree progress in their Student Self Service.
Bachelors: Students should apply for graduation when they are ready to enroll in their last semester courses. Students apply through their MyUK GPS Degree Audit. In the audit, scroll to the Graduation section and click on the green “Apply for Graduation “button to start your application.
