Kent State University: Navigating the Maze of Majors and Degree Options

Kent State University, Northeast Ohio’s largest university, enrolled more than 33,300 full-time students this fall, according to an analysis from Crain’s Cleveland Business. The university offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with opportunities to pursue their academic and professional goals. This article provides a structured overview of the academic landscape at Kent State, including degree options, major declarations, and special programs.

Undergraduate Programs: Double Majors and Dual Degrees

Kent State University students have the option to pursue two academic programs simultaneously, either through a double major or a dual degree.

Defining Double Majors and Dual Degrees

Double Major: A double major combines two majors within the same degree. For example, a student could pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in English and a major in Sociology.
Dual Degree: A dual degree combines two majors within different degrees. For instance, a student might pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Architectural Studies and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Construction Management.

Important Considerations for Declaring Double Majors or Dual Degrees

Restrictions: Certain major combinations are not permitted by the colleges. Students should consult with their advisor, and an advisor for the second major if in a different college, to determine whether the desired combination of majors is permitted.
Same Department/School: Declaring a double major or dual degree in the same department or school is allowed only when the department or school offers different majors. A student may declare the Spanish major and the French major even though both majors are offered by the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies.
Generalist Degrees: Due to their generalist nature, certain degree programs may not be earned as a double major or dual degree with another major. They also cannot be earned as an additional degree after another degree at the same or higher level has been earned previously. These include:
- Applied Media - B.A.
- Individualized Program - A.T.S.
- Integrative Studies - B.I.S.
- Professional Studies - B.S.
- Technical and Applied Studies - B.T.A.S.
Associate Degrees: The Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees may not be earned concurrently with each other, nor may either be awarded as an additional degree when one has been earned previously, due to the similarity in program requirements.
Academic Standing: Students cannot be on academic probation and declare another major or degree at either the associate or bachelor’s level.
Requirements: Students pursuing a double major or dual degree concurrently or subsequently must be officially admitted to the programs and complete all requirements for both in addition to the university’s undergraduate and residence requirements.

Benefits of a Double Major or Dual Degree

Expanded Knowledge: A double major/dual degree allows you to expand your knowledge and gain skills and expertise in two fields.
Career Competitiveness: Earning two degrees demonstrates that you are motivated, hard-working, and determined, making you more competitive during the hiring process when starting your career.

How to Declare a Double Major or Dual Degree

Undergraduate students request the second major/degree through the Manage My Program application in FlashLine and review program requirements in their GPS degree audit.

Graduate Programs: Dual Degrees

Kent State University also offers graduate dual degree programs, which allow students to simultaneously pursue two graduate degrees at the same level (two master’s degrees or two doctoral degrees) or two graduate degrees at different levels (one master’s degree and one doctoral degree).

Distinguishing Dual Degrees from Combined Degree Programs

Graduate dual degrees are distinct from combined degree programs, which allow students to simultaneously pursue two degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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Coursework and Credit Hour Requirements

Coursework common to both programs must constitute a well-planned and meaningful part of each program.
A minimum of 60 percent of the total credit hours required for each degree program must be unique to that degree program, after which some courses may be double counted.
The percentage of unique hours that must be completed in each degree program may vary from the 60 percent minimum only when the graduate dual degree program has been formally approved by the university.
Graduate credit transferred from another institution is limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours across both degree programs.
Doctoral-level courses may be applied toward a master’s degree. Under no circumstances may master’s-level courses be applied toward a doctoral degree.
The maximum time limits for completing degree requirements and graduation apply to each degree individually.

Types of Dual Graduate Degree Programs

Kent State University allows for both informal and formal dual degree programs.

Informal Dual Graduate Degree Programs: Students may simultaneously pursue two graduate degrees in different programs through an informal dual degree program (those that have not received official university approval). These programs offer students the flexibility to double-count some coursework, given that the two programs in question approve the arrangements. Once admitted to both degree programs, the student and advisor(s) must plan an integrated course of study. The plan must be approved by both programs and filed with the respective college(s). Culminating experiences (e.g. capstone courses, theses, dissertations, applied projects) and comprehensive examinations cannot be shared.
Formal Dual Graduate Degree Programs: A formal dual degree program is one that has been officially approved by the university. It has one curriculum established by two programs resulting in the completion of two graduate degrees at the same level. A list of dual degree programs that have been formally approved may be found in the University Catalog.

Applying for Graduate Dual Degree Programs

An applicant who is not currently a graduate student at Kent State University must submit an application and pay an application fee for each program.
Students who are currently enrolled in one graduate program at Kent State University must submit an application and pay an application fee for the second program, indicating on the application that the intent is to complete both degrees rather than to transfer from the first to the second program.
If applying to a formal degree program, the applicant/student should indicate the specific dual-degree concentration in the program.
If admitted to an informal degree program, the student and advisor(s) must plan an integrated course of study. The plan must be approved by both programs and filed with the respective college(s).

Additional Considerations for Graduate Dual Degrees

Diplomas: Students will receive a diploma for each degree program earned.
Dismissal: Please see the Dismissal and Appeal-Graduate policy for information on students in dual degree programs.
Time Limits: Students will still be bound by the university’s time limits for graduate programs unless they are granted an extension by the program area.

Kent Core: General Education Requirements

The Kent Core is the foundation of the university's mission to prepare students to live in today's complex, global society. It broadens intellectual perspectives, fosters ethical and humanitarian values, and prepares students for responsible citizenship and productive careers.

Kent Core Goals

Through the Kent Core learning experience, students develop:

Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
Effective written and oral communication skills
Imagination and creativity
Lifelong pursuit of knowledge
Competencies and values vital to responsible uses of information and technology
Independent thinking and informed, responsible citizenship
Understanding of issues and behaviors concerning inclusion, community, and tolerance
Awareness of ethical implications
Integration of major studies into a liberal education
Quantitative reasoning skills
Understanding of basic concepts of the academic disciplines

Kent Core Requirements

As part of the requirements for any bachelor's degree and the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, all students must complete a minimum 36-37 credit hours of the Kent Core distributed as indicated within the specific categories. As part of the requirements for any applied and technical associate degrees (A.A.B., A.A.S., A.T.S.), all students must complete a minimum 15 credit hours of the Kent Core distributed as indicated within the specific categories. Colleges or degree programs may augment the university's minimum Kent Core, and they may specify for their students certain courses in fulfillment of the requirements. It is essential, therefore, that students consult that section of the catalog for their college and degree program. The Kent Core should normally be completed within the 60 credit hours that immediately follow the first date of enrollment in a bachelor's degree program. Honors equivalents shall satisfy the Kent Core. None of the courses on the Kent Core list may be taken pass/fail.

Alternatives to Formal Kent State Coursework

Certain alternatives to formal Kent State coursework may be recognized in the fulfilling of the Kent Core, including:

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Credits earned for specified courses within the Kent Core course list through external credit-conferring testing programs, such as the College Board Advanced Placement and College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Courses transferred from accredited post-secondary institutions
The university's Credit-By-Examination (CBE) program
Proficiency, as established by placement examinations or other recognized procedures and mechanisms for this purpose, can be used to fulfill Categories I (Composition) and II (Mathematics and Critical Reasoning) of the Kent Core.

To fulfill the purposes of general education, any of the above alternatives to the fulfillment of the Kent Core by formal coursework at Kent State University must be exercised by the students within the first 60 credit hours of academic credits earned at and/or transferred to Kent State University. Students who transfer to the university with more than 45 credit hours of applicable credits (including students with associate's degrees in technology from the Kent State University Regional Campuses or those who transfer to bachelor's-level programs from associate-level technology programs) must exercise such option(s) within the first calendar year of their Kent State University enrollment. Post-undergraduate students who have earned a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution will be deemed to have completed the equivalent of the university’s Kent Core requirement.

Kent Core Course List

Kent Core for the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) and Bachelor's degrees

I. Composition (6 Credit Hours)
II. Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (3 Credit Hours)
III. Humanities and Fine Arts (9 Credit Hours)
IV. Social Sciences (6 Credit Hours)
V. Basic Sciences (6-7 Credit Hours)
VI. Additional (6 Credit Hours)
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 36-37

Kent Core for A.A.B, A.A.S and A.T.S. degrees

I. Composition (3 Credit Hours)
II. Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (3 Credit Hours)
III. Humanities and Fine Arts (3 Credit Hours)
IV. Social Sciences (3 Credit Hours)
V. Basic Sciences (3 Credit Hours)
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 15

Detailed Course Lists for Each Category

I. Composition

ENG 11011 COLLEGE WRITING (KCMP) (OT36 for both courses) (3 Credit Hours)
ENG 11002 COLLEGE WRITING-STRETCH (KCMP)
ENG 21011 RESEARCH WRITING (KCMP) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HONR 10197 FRESHMAN HONORS COLLOQUIUM I (KCMP) (3 Credit Hours)
HONR 10297 FRESHMAN HONORS COLLOQUIUM II (KCMP) (3 Credit Hours)

II. Mathematics and Critical Reasoning

CS 10051 COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) (4 Credit Hours)
MATH 10041 INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS (KMCR) (OT36 for both courses) (4 Credit Hours)
MATH 10040 INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS PLUS (KMCR)
MATH 10051 QUANTITATIVE REASONING (KMCR) (OT36 for both courses) (4 Credit Hours)
MATH 10050 QUANTITATIVE REASONING PLUS (KMCR)
MATH 11008 EXPLORATIONS IN MODERN MATHEMATICS (KMCR) (3 Credit Hours)
MATH 11009 MODELING ALGEBRA (KMCR) (4-5 Credit Hours)
MATH 10772 MODELING ALGEBRA PLUS (KMCR)
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) (OT36) (23-4 Credit Hours)
MATH 10675 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS BOOST (KMCR)
MATH 10775 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS PLUS (KMCR)
MATH 11012 INTUITIVE CALCULUS (KMCR) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) (OT36) (5 Credit Hours)
MATH 12011 CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS I (KMCR) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MATH 12012 CALCULUS WITH PRECALCULUS II (KMCR) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MATH 14001 BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS I (KMCR) (34-5 Credit Hours)
MATH 10771 BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS I PLUS (KMCR)
MATH 14002 BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS II (KMCR) (4 Credit Hours)
PHIL 21002 INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL LOGIC (KMCR) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)

III. Humanities and Fine Arts

Minimum one course must be selected from the Humanities in Arts and Sciences area, and minimum one course must be selected from the Fine Arts area.

Humanities in Arts and Sciences

AFS 23001 BLACK EXPERIENCE I: BEGINNINGS TO 1865 (KHUM) (3 Credit Hours)
AFS 23002 BLACK EXPERIENCE II: 1865 TO PRESENT (KHUM) (3 Credit Hours)
CLAS 21404 THE GREEK ACHIEVEMENT (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
CLAS 21405 THE ROMAN ACHIEVEMENT (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ENG 21054 INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ENG 22071 STORIES THAT BUILT THE WORLD: HEROES, QUESTS AND LEGENDS (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ENG 22072 STORIES TO SAVE THE WORLD: LITERATURE AND THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ENG 22073 MAJOR MODERN WRITERS: BRITISH AND UNITED STATES (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HIST 11050 WORLD HISTORY: ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HIST 11051 WORLD HISTORY: MODERN (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HIST 12070 EARLY AMERICA: FROM PRE-COLONIZATION TO CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HIST 12071 MODERN AMERICA: FROM INDUSTRIALIZATION TO GLOBALIZATION (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PHIL 11001 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PHIL 21001 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
REL 11020 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS (ELR) (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
REL 21021 MOSES, JESUS AND MOHAMMAD (ELR) (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)

Humanities in Communication and Information

COMM 26000 CRITICISM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE (KHUM) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)

Fine Arts

ARCH 10001 UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARCH 10011 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARCH 10012 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY II (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARTH 12001 ART AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARTH 22006 ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ARTH 22021 ART HISTORY: AFRICAN ART (KFA) (3 Credit Hours)
DAN 27076 DANCE AS AN ART FORM (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MUS 22111 UNDERSTANDING WESTERN MUSIC (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MUS 22121 MUSIC AS A WORLD PHENOMENON (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
THEA 11000 THE ART OF THE THEATRE (KFA) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)

IV. Social Sciences

Courses must be selected from two curricular areas.

ANTH 18210 INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ANTH 18420 INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (KSS) (18420) (3 Credit Hours)
CRIM 26704 ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ECON 22060 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ECON 22061 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ENVS 22070 NATURE AND SOCIETY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 17063 WORLD GEOGRAPHY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 17064 GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 22061 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GERO 14029 INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PACS 11001 INTRODUCTION TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
POL 10004 COMPARATIVE POLITICS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
POL 10100 AMERICAN POLITICS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
POL 10500 WORLD POLITICS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PSYC 20651 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PSYC 21211 PSYCHOLOGY OF EVERYDAY LIFE (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
SOC 22778 SOCIAL PROBLEMS (KSS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)

V. Basic Sciences

Minimum one laboratory course (marked "KLAB") must be selected. Students taking a 1-credit hour science lab course must take the lecture course in the same or previous term.

ANTH 18630 HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) (3 Credit Hours)
ANTH 18631 ISSUES IN HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
ATTR 25057 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) (4 Credit Hours)
EXSC 25057 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB)
ATTR 25058 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) (4 Credit Hours)
EXSC 25058 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB)
BSCI 10001 HUMAN BIOLOGY (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
BSCI 10002 LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
BSCI 10003 LABORATORY EXPERIENCE IN BIOLOGY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
BSCI 10110 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (54 Credit Hours)
BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (54 Credit Hours)
BSCI 11010 FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (53 Credit Hours)
BSCI 11020 FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (53 Credit Hours)
BSCI 21010 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (54 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10030 CHEMISTRY IN OUR WORLD (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10031 CHEMISTRY IN OUR WORLD LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10050 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
CHEM 10970 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
CHEM 11060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS)
CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (1 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (1 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10055 MOLECULES OF LIFE (KBS) (3 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) (4 Credit Hours)
CHEM 10971 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
ESCI 11040 HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ESCI 11041 HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
ESCI 11042 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ESCI 11043 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
ESCI 21062 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
ESCI 21080 ALL ABOUT THE OCEANS (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 21062 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 21063 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
NUTR 23511 SCIENCE OF HUMAN NUTRITION (KBS) (3 Credit Hours)
PHY 11030 SEVEN IDEAS THAT SHOOK THE UNIVERSE (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PHY 12201 TECHNICAL PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) (3 Credit Hours)
PHY 12202 TECHNICAL PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) (4 Credit Hours)
PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) (OT36) (4 Credit Hours)
PHY 13002 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) (OT36) (4 Credit Hours)
PHY 13012 COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) (OT36) (2 Credit Hours)
PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
PHY 21040 PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PHY 21041 PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
PHY 21430 FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY (KBS) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
PHY 21431 FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (OT36) (1 Credit Hours)
PHY 23101 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) (5 Credit Hours)
PHY 23102 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) (5 Credit Hours)

VI. Additional

Select courses from I.-V. Any of the following courses below may also be selected:

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COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) (OT36) (3 Credit Hours)
HONR 13597 COLLOQUIUM: THE WESTERN IDENTITY (KADL) (3 Credit Hours)
MCLS 20001 GLOBAL LITERACY AND CULTURAL AWARENESS (KADL) (3 Credit Hours)
PHIL 11009 CRITICAL THINKING (KADL) (3 Credit Hours)

Programs Facing Enrollment Challenges

Each of the state’s 36 public colleges and universities were required to tell the Ohio Department of Higher Education which programs didn’t meet that threshold by Thursday, Sept. Officials asked for a one-year waiver for 19 of the affected programs. The ODHE has not yet responded to any of the university’s waiver requests, according to Kent State officials. Still, no matter what, current students enrolled in any of these programs will be able to finish out their degree.

Some programs at Kent State University have faced enrollment challenges. In August 2023, Reginald Barker talked with Kent State University recruiters at an event. As of Fall 2024, the following programs were listed as having low enrollment:

Earth Science - B.S.E.
Earth Science - B.A.
Horticulture Technology - A.A.S.
Radiologic Technology - A.T.S.
Community Health Education - B.S.
Dance - B.F.A.
Horticulture - B.A.H.
Botany - B.S.

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