Full Description

The Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree provides a path to degree completion utilizing an integrative approach while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals. Students consult with an advisor to research and develop a plan of study.

The Integrative Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from a minimum of two interrelated programs that support their career aspirations.
• The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. Students select courses from a minimum of two academic departments and develop a rationale for the ways in which these courses support their career goals.

Students may apply early to the M.S. degree in Emerging Media and Technology and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program ;policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to declare either the General or the Two Minors concentration of the Integrative Studies degree must meet with a B.I.S. academic advisor to discuss their future academic and career goals and to develop an approved program of study. Students who have completed 30 credit hours may be admitted to the B.I.S. degree.

In order to pursue the Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree, the procedures listed below must be followed:

1. Schedule an initial conference with a B.I.S. advisor. During this conference, students will work with an academic advisor to evaluate completed coursework, discuss future academic and career goals and determine a program of study that will be reflected on the degree audit. To schedule an appointment with an advisor in the B.I.S. program, email BIS@kent.edu. More information about the B.I.S. degree can be found on the school's website.
2. When the program of study is completed and approved, the student and advisor declare either the Integrative Studies-General concentration or the Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration. College approval of this form completes admission to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Integrate theoretical and empirical material from across traditional disciplines.
2. Design, research and execute a scholarly project of high quality.
3. Articulate connections between their chosen coursework at Kent State and their plans to make a contribution to their community after graduation.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students are encouraged to complete internships or utilize individual investigations for more nuanced work; the total hours that can be completed in internship (xxx92) and/or individual investigation (xxx96) courses can not total more than 15 hours.

³

The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from a minimum of two interrelated programs that support their career aspirations. 

⁴

The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. Students select courses from a minimum of two academic departments and develop a rationale for the ways in which these courses support their career goals.

Graduation Requirements

• The B.I.S. degree requires a minimum total of 120 earned credit hours, of which 39 credit hours must be at the upper-division (30000-40000) level.
• Students in both the Integrative Studies-General concentration and the Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration are required to complete IGST 40099, as well as all university requirements and college requirements.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management gives students credentials important to getting their first job as an entry-level manager or manager-trainee. Every organization of any size and type depends on and needs managers, including, as examples, the small corner store, department stores, accounting firms, healthcare centers, manufacturing firms or a business-to-business type of organization.

Business Management students may apply early to the M.B.A. degree and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Transfer Student: A minimum 2.000 overall GPA is required for admission into the major. Students who have previously attended Kent State and have completed (or the equivalent of) COMM 15000, ENG 21011, MATH 11010 and MGMT 24163 must have earned a minimum C grade in the courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Assess and suggest appropriate solutions to human resource-related business problems.
2. Assess and suggest appropriate solutions to business concerns in global markets.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic principles of project management.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of leadership principles and theories.

Kent State University's Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship students earning a BBA are expected to have developed skills in the following critical areas of business:

1. Core Business Knowledge - Recall the strategic frameworks that are used to make business decisions.
2. Analytical Skills - Use analytical methodologies and critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve business problems. 
3. Digital Technology – Demonstrate the technological skills necessary to analyze business problems and develop solutions.
4. Written Communication - Write effective business communications.
5. Oral Communication - Make effective business presentations, using appropriate technologies.
6. Teamwork – Collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose.
7. Business Ethics – Recognize ethical business dilemmas and use ethical decision making to resolve the dilemma.
8. Global - Analyze the key global factors when making business decisions.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students can receive credit for both MGMT 34165 and MGMT 34175.

²

A minimum C grade is required to fulfill the writing intensive requirement.

³

Students who study abroad may use BUS 30234 as a college elective for the major.

⁴

Students who change their major from Accounting to Business Management, or who have declared both the Accounting and Business Management majors or have declared the Accounting minor, may substitute ACCT 33010 in place of ACCT 33063.

⁵

A student changing to a program in the college, transferring, or incoming students with college credits may be waived out of BUS 10123 if:

1. 30 or more credit hours have been earned and any two classes (from ACCT 23020, ACCT 23021, CIS 24053, FIN 26074, MGMT 24163 or MKTG 25010) have successfully been completed.
2. 60 or more credit hours have been earned and the student has successfully completed one course (from ACCT 23020, ACCT 23021, FIN 26074, MGMT 24163, MKTG 25010 or CIS 24053)
3. At the discretion of the dean's office, the student has sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge in a business field (as demonstrated by a CLEP score or Credit by Exam) but does not meet the requirements listed above.

⁶

Students can take MATH 10051 or PHIL 21002 in place of MATH 11012 or MATH 12002. Taking MATH 10051 or PHIL 21002 will not replace a low grade in either MATH 11012 or MATH 12002. Students are required to take MATH 11012 or MATH 12002 if they change their major to, or want to double major in, Economics or Finance and/or intend to declare a minor in Data Analytics. Students who intend to enroll in certain graduate programs and/or are working toward Phi Beta Kappa status are highly encouraged to take MATH 11012 or MATH 12002.

⁷

Students who have taken MATH 10041 for another program may use it as a substitute for BA 24056.

⁸

Minimum C grade required in ENG 21011 or HONR 20197.

⁹

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Progression Requirements

• Minimum 2.000 overall GPA
• Minimum C grade required in COMM 15000, ENG 21011, MATH 11010 and MGMT 24163.
• Minimum C grade in all major requirements.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must complete at least 50 percent of business credit hours (required for the business degree) in-residence on a Kent State University campus.
• Students must complete at least 50 percent of their major credit hours in residence on a Kent State University campus.
• Students must complete two measures of outcomes assessment as specified by the college for complete satisfaction of the B.B.A. degree.

Roadmap

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus

AACSB, International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree in Information Technology provides students with an applied approach that focuses on supporting end-users in a variety of workplace settings by utilizing a range of computing technologies. The degree program gives students the tools to support computing and network infrastructures and the needs of individuals and organizations; write programs necessary to help them render their tasks more efficiently on their desktop or mobile devices; utilize databases and write the web-based interfaces to pull the data; and code and deploy applications across the cloud.

Graduates are qualified to work in a wide range of computer and network infrastructures in small- to large-sized enterprises in such positions as web or software developer; hardware, network, cloud, virtualization technician or engineer; IT support specialist or consultant; help desk, network or IT project manager; security or forensic analyst; and systems, network or database administrator in all sectors of business, education, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit and government.

The Information Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Application Development concentration provides students with the ability to program in languages typically utilized in contemporary business environments. Students code in applications such as Visual Basic, C++, Java, C# and other industry-standard applications to develop programs employing event-driven and object-oriented techniques.

• The Cloud and Virtualization Technologies concentration gives students hands-on practice and competency in virtualization and cloud computing. In addition to gaining core IT skills, students focus on cloud technologies, virtual computer hardware platforms, networking, storage devices, security, scripting, emerging technologies, server administration and storage and infrastructure services. This concentration is for students who want to pursue a professional career in virtualization and cloud computing and prepare for industry-recognized certificates in the IT field.

• The Cybersecurity and Forensics concentration places an emphasis on security of computer and network systems, including forensic work to prevent and/or determine and correct security issues utilizing cybersecurity devices, procedures, tools and solutions.
• The Database Design and Administration concentration focuses on skills needed to become a database manager. Topics include relational database design; working with database servers, users and permissions; SQL statements used for queries and reports; and incorporating databases into programming used in web-based and desktop forms.
• The Health Information Technology concentration provides students with the tools to install, manage, troubleshoot and secure hardware and software systems in healthcare environments. The course of study includes health IT privacy, security, EHR Implementation and support, mobile device management, technology and application life-cycle management, organizational behavior, medical business operations and regulatory requirements.
• The Integrated Information Technology concentration is ideal for students who want a flexible course of study for positions that require IT staff to perform a wide range of technical duties.
• The Internet/Multimedia concentration focuses on scripting, server-side form handling, web database integration, and interactive and dynamic multimedia Internet development.
• The Networking concentration focuses on configuring and maintaining network information systems and components in various network operating system and cloud computing environments that are prevalent in today's businesses. The emphasis is on network administration (i.e. managing Active Directory and network services), servers, workstations, virtualization, security, troubleshooting, installation and maintenance.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate current technologies and assess their applicability to address individual and organizational needs.
2. Develop a product, process or solution by applying knowledge of programming, scripting, web, digital media, database, human computer interaction, networking, cloud, virtualization and security tools.
3. Perform end-user support, including identifying and implementing solutions to user requests.
4. Explain implementation, integration and maintenance for IT applications to a wide range of audiences.
5. Work in diverse project teams to develop and/or implement IT-based solutions.
6. Apply professional ethics in IT solutions.
7. Engage in continuous learning, as well as research and assess new ideas and information to provide the capabilities for lifelong learning.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Minimum C grade required to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement.

Application Development Concentration Requirements

Cloud and Virtualization Technologies Concentration Requirements

Cybersecurity and Forensics Concentration Requirements

Database Design and Administration Concentration Requirements

Health Information Technology Concentration Requirements

Integrated Information Concentration Requirements

Internet/Multimedia Concentration Requirements

Networking Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students may declare more than one concentration in the Information Technology major, provided that they complete minimum 12 credit hours of coursework unique to each concentration.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
  • Twinsburg Academic Center

Full Description

When employers are asked what they look for in new hires, communication skills top the list every time. The key to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies is flexibility. The curriculum allows students to design an individual, communication-based program of coursework that prepares them for the future. The Communication Studies major provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed across professional industries — from government and business to nonprofits and education. The program's mission is to teach students to communicate effectively, lead responsibly, understand how communication affects identities, communities and cultures, think analytically and reason critically.

The Communication Studies major comprises the following concentrations (both of which are offered in-person or fully online):

• The Applied Communication concentration allows students to gain expertise in organizational communication, advanced presentational speaking, professional writing and visual design. Students combine theoretical knowledge and technical skills while mastering professional tasks such as conducting training seminars, creating web content, designing promotional materials, managing communication campaigns and writing press releases.
• The Communication Studies–General concentration features flexibility and choice. Students create a personalized plan of study tailored to their specific academic interests and career goals in areas such as global and intercultural communication, advocacy, social media, corporate communication and workplace consulting, presentational and motivational speaking, campaign design and more. This concentration is appropriate for those who have diverse academic interests. It permits students to take courses across the schools in the College of Communication and Information and provides space for electives that students could use to pursue a minor in another discipline.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

• Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies
• Master of Arts degree in Media and Journalism
• Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design
• Master of Library Information Science degree in Library and Information Science
• Master of Science degree in Emerging Media and Technology
• Master of Science degree in Health Informatics
• Master of Science degree in Knowledge Management
• Master of Science degree in User Experience

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Display competence in verbal, nonverbal and written communication.
2. Advocate courses of action to stimulate improved decision-making.
3. Influence others through demonstrated presentational speaking skills.
4. Communicate ethically.
5. Foster inclusive dialogues and tailor messages that respect diversity, empower others and bring about social change.
6. Articulate creative, effective and evidenced-based solutions to communication problems.
7. Coordinate action, solve problems, foster well-being, engage in critical thinking and participate in civic life.
8. Communicate effectively in a technological, multicultural and global society to bring about meaningful social change.
9. Apply information and media literacy in an effective and ethical manner.

The program learning outcomes reflect the university's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, creativity and community outreach and engagement.

Program Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade is required in COMM 34000 or COMM 45902 to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement 

²

Students may apply a maximum of 6 credit hours of COMM 45092 toward their major requirements.

³

Students who take COMM 26000 will need to fulfill 6 credit hours of Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts. Students who do not take COMM 26000 will need to fulfill 9 credit hours of Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts.

⁴

Students who take MDJ 20001 to fulfill a College of Communication and Information Core Elective will need to fulfill 3 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences. Students who do not take MDJ 20001 will need to fulfill 6 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences.

⁵

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Applied Communication Concentration Requirements

Communication Studies-General Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Applied Communication Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Full program
    • Kent Campus
    • Stark Campus
  • Applied Communication concentration only
    • Ashtabula Campus
    • East Liverpool Campus
    • Salem Campus
    • Trumbull Campus
    • Tuscarawas Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree is a completer program designed for students with an associate degree or some college-level coursework who wish to matriculate into a bachelor's degree. The program accommodates varied educational backgrounds, develops competencies needed for success in a variety of work settings and offers flexibility and scheduling attractive to working students and to time- and place-bound adults.

The B.T.A.S. degree integrates the practical application of technical skills and knowledge with the professional skills instilled in a bachelor’s degree program. Students focus on career paths in technical and applied areas of specializations, leading to breadth and depth in a particular discipline.

The program provides a foundation for further graduate education and benefits students who need additional workplace and professional skills beyond their technical education with hands-on learning, experiential learning opportunities, internships and research projects. Employers are searching for professionals with a combination of technical expertise and business soft skills; this program provides the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to transition from student to professional.

Many associate degree programs at Kent State University align well with the B.T.A.S. degree.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Students who wish to declare the B.T.A.S. degree must meet with an academic advisor prior to admission or changing their major to discuss their future academic and career goals and to develop an approved program of study. Ideally, students should begin the process for evaluation and program review at or near the time they have a minimum of 12 earned credit hours of college-level coursework.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Interpret and communicate discipline specific information via written, verbal and/or visual or digital representations.
2. Demonstrate effective written, oral and digital communication skills in multiple contexts, for a variety of audiences.
3. Demonstrate application and evidence of skills and knowledge via presentation of artifacts in an electronic portfolio.
4. Analyze ethical issues in the context of the profession or discipline to produce reasoned evaluations and solutions.
5. Integrate applied skills and theoretical knowledge in a specific technical field with opportunities for experiential learning in a workplace environment.
6. Develop self-awareness about identity and culture, diversity, sensitivity and respect for differences.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

The internship or practicum allows students to gain workplace skills and real-world experience in their chosen field. Students with prior work, internship, practicum, student teaching and/or field experience may be waived the internship/practicum requirement with approval by the program coordinator.

²

In TAS 37900, students construct a meaningful career management plan to explore and prepare for their preferred professional goals.

³

TAS 47999, taken near the end of the program, synthesizes learning and focuses on foundational competencies in the form of service or experiential learning, a discipline-specific research project and the development of an academic/career e-portfolio. A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

⁴

In collaboration with an advisor, students develop a plan of study for two to three specializations that draw on transferred, completed and available Kent State coursework. Students select from a flexible and robust core of skills- and knowledge-based courses - bridging multiple disciplines - to develop a tailored option to best benefit and further professional goals. A faculty member approves the student’s specializations to ensure they meet the student's needs. Two of the three specialization areas may be from the same discipline. One specialization must be distinct.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet with an advisor for a plan of study for each specialization. Any changes made to the program of study must also be approved by an advisor, or the student may not be allowed to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
  • Leavittsburg, Ohio