Programs of Study
Kent State University’s College of the Arts is a vibrant area of study and professional practice encompassing the visual, performing and design arts. Comprised of the School of Art, the School of Fashion, the School of Music, the School of Theatre and Dance, and the Kent State University Museum, we serve over 2,600 students through nine-degree options and over 25 minors. Our majors include Art Education, Art History, Dance, Dance Studies, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Music, Music Education, Musical Theatre, Studio Art, Theatre Design and Theatre Studies. Through our work with these programs, we are committed to empowering global leaders to transform lives through the arts.
Rankings
The College of the Arts at Kent State has been recognized worldwide for its high-quality education. Our School of Fashion is ranked in the top 25 globally, sixth in the United States, and fifth in the United States for its Master of Fashion and Industry Studies program. Our School of Art is recognized as one of America’s top graduate programs in the visual arts and houses nine disciplines in our Center for the Visual Arts. Our Musical Theatre program has been ranked 18th by On Stage blog, with our alumni working nationally and internationally on national tours, film and television. In our Glauser School of Music, Music Education is the heart of what do through training the next generation of music educators, scholars, performers and technology experts. Our designation as an all-Steinway school supports our commitment to excellence.
Real-World Experience
College of the Arts students work side-by-side with faculty to make, create, research and perform. Each of our majors has required experiences, such as ensembles, internships, performances or student teaching, that help students gain experience in their chosen discipline. With six campus galleries, three theatres, two music performance venues and over 70,000 square feet of performance, rehearsal, design and classroom space, there is always an opportunity to expand your skills and try something new. Collectively, we host over 400 events that welcome over 100,000 guests to our concerts, plays, runway shows and exhibitions. Each of our programs also hosts a summer program that provides experience to current and prospective students, such as our Fashion Academy, Porthouse Theatre, Kent Blossom Art and Kent Blossom Music programs.
Curriculum
Our program emphasizes helping students learn theory they can apply to their practice. Students directly admitted to our programs begin major coursework right away. Our academic advisors help students select meaningful Kent Core classes, meet program requirements and work with students to ensure planning for internships, ensembles, study away and timely graduation. Upper-division electives provide students with a place to dive into areas of specialty or explore new topics of interest. Since our curriculum is designed to provide students with experience in their craft, their work helps them develop close faculty relationships for mentoring and job searches following graduation.