Kentucky State University included a new milestone in its 2026 Commencement weekend with a dedicated ceremony recognizing the University’s graduate and doctoral students, according to a June 2 announcement.
The University held its first Academic Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Bradford Hall. This event provided a separate moment of recognition for students completing advanced degrees. The following day, Kentucky State celebrated its Spring 2026 Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 9, at the Dr. William H. Exum Center.
Both ceremonies highlighted the expanding role of graduate education at Kentucky State as the institution continues to grow advanced academic pathways aligned with workforce needs and professional advancement across Kentucky and beyond. Among the Class of 2026 were 112 candidates for graduate and doctoral degrees from three major academic units: the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; the College of Arts and Sciences; and the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology.
The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources had the largest group with 63 graduate degree candidates—40 Master of Science candidates in Environmental Studies, 16 Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates, and seven Master of Science candidates in Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences. The College of Business, Engineering, and Technology included 38 graduate degree candidates (29 in Master of Business Administration programs and nine in Computer Science). The College of Arts and Sciences had 11 graduate degree candidates across Special Education with Certification (four), Public Administration (four), and Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science (three).
Graduate numbers are expected to rise as two new programs have already been approved: a Master of Science in Sports Analytics by both the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), while a Master of Public Health in Nutrition has CPE approval pending SACSCOC review.
“Graduate education is one of the clearest ways Kentucky State can respond to the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities,” said Dr. Phillip Clay, interim director of Graduate Studies. Clay said that developing strong programs requires sustained planning along with intentional recruitment efforts to support student success.
