Admissions

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Kent State University welcomes applications for graduate study from those wishing to pursue an advanced degree at the master's or doctoral level as a full- or part-time student. The university also encourages graduate work for students who desire to enrich their lives through non-degree courses or who are in good standing in a graduate degree program at another university and wish to enroll as transient students.

Each program will assess its applicants holistically considering academic credentials, related professional experience, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities among others.

The following criteria are recommended for doctoral program admission:
 
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of a 2.75/4.0* (for those programs that consider undergraduate GPA).
  • Cumulative graduate GPA of a 3.0/4.0. 
     
The following criteria are recommended for Educational Specialist program admission:
  • Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25/4.0.
     
The following criteria are recommended for master’s program admission:
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75/4.0*.

    *Some programs require a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for admission consideration. These programs include: Athletic Training, Counselor Education and Supervision, Higher Education Administration, Nutrition Internship, School Psychology, Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Types of Admission

Prospective students may apply for admission under the following categories:

  • Master (see description of degrees offered below)
  • Master of Art in Teaching (see description of degrees offered below)
  • Educational Specialist (see description of degrees offered below)
  • Audiology (see description of degrees offered below)
  • Doctoral (see description of degrees offered below)
  • Certificate
  • Non-Degree Endorsement (for those seeking to add an endorsement area to an existing, valid OH teaching license)
  • Non-Degree License 
  • (for those seeking to earn licensure in Special Education/Intervention Specialist (initial or additional), in Middle Childhood Education 4-9 (initial or additional), Early Childhood Education P-5 (additional licensure only) and Secondary/Adolescent to Young Adult Education 7-12 (additional licensure only)
  • Non-degree seeking
  • Transient
  • Guest
  • Graduate Alumnus (non-degree)

Each applicant is considered for admission in the particular school requested. Careful attention to application materials required for degree programs will help expedite the application through the admission process. Applicants should apply 6 to 8 weeks before the beginning of the term in which the applicant plans to register to allow adequate time for complete processing.

Applications for admission cannot be reviewed until all materials have been received by the -

Admissions Office
800 E Summit St
161 Schwartz Center
Kent OH 44242

or gradapps@kent.edu

Graduate Programs Offered

DEGREES Offered

Below is a short summary of the many degrees offered through the College of Education, Health, & Human Services.

MASTER OF ARTS

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree requires a minimum of 30-semester hours of graduate coursework including at least 15 hours at the 60000 level or above. M.A. students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the program. Some programs, but not all, have six hours of Thesis I or six hours of Master's Project.

MASTER OF EDUCATION

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree requires a minimum of 30-semester hours of graduate coursework including at least 15 hours at the 60000 level or above. This is a non-thesis degree. M.Ed. students have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the program.

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING/ADOLESCENT TO YOUNG ADULT

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree is designed for degree-holders (outside of education) who are seeking initial teacher licensure.  We offer two different M.A.T. degree programs:

  • Secondary Education M.A.T.:  For those looking to teach a subject area in grades 7-12 (or in some select P-12 subject areas such as Art, Music, World Languages, and School Health).  The degree requires a minimum 40-41 semester hours of graduate professional education coursework, pedagogy, field hours and a student teaching internship (program does not include the prerequisite undergraduate subject/content area coursework required for admission consideration).
  • Early Childhood Education M.A.T.:  For those seeking the Ohio Primary License to teach preschool-grade 5. The degree requires a minimum 64 semester hours of graduate professional education coursework, pedagogy, field hours and a student teaching experience.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

The Master of Science (M.S.) program offers a degree in nutrition. The nutrition program requires 32-semester hours including a master's thesis or master's project. For those pursuing the Dietetic Internship, the M.S. program in Nutrition requires 43-semester hours. The program provides students with an advanced specialization in the field of nutritional sciences and opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research in laboratory and community settings.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in hospitality and tourism management provides an integrated hospitality and tourism graduate education with an emphasis on regional, national and global implications of the field. Students' critical analysis skills, research ability and understanding of advanced hospitality and tourism issues will be developed. The program requires 32 semester hours, including a master's thesis or master's project.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

The educational specialist degree is a post-master's practitioner program. This is considered a terminal degree but provides preparation for a specialty position within the field of professional education.

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

The Ed.D. degree in Interprofessional Leadership is cohort-based, starting in the summer term. Students apply to a concentration for specialized study.

DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) is a four-year, post-baccalaureate professional doctoral degree program designed to integrate classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences. Doctors of Audiology are independent professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, management and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is designed for students interested in becoming professional scholars, college and university teachers, or independent research workers in private, industrial or government research institutions. The degree will be conferred solely in recognition of high-level attainment in a branch of learning and in the demonstration of marked scholarly ability within a chosen field.