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Students in a Professional Studies lecture.

Professional Studies - B.S.

Earn your B.S. in Professional Studies and advance your career in education, health or human services. This flexible, completer program builds skills in program planning, technology and multicultural communication, preparing you for roles in youth centers, social agencies, museums and more or for graduate study in a related field.

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Current Professional Studies students who have the PROS 44092 Practicum course on their GPS plan for Fall 2026 can use these resources to set up your site and prepare for course registration.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies is a completer program for students pursuing careers in education, health, and human services industries. This program prepares students for various careers throughout these fields.

Program Information for Professional Studies - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Studies is a completer program designed for those who wish to work in a multitude of professional settings, such as business, health care, education or human services, or to continue their studies in a related graduate program. The program reflects a consideration for the nature of the setting in which individuals will work (e.g., youth center, social agency, museum, park, business), the particular skills and competencies required in such career (e.g., program planning, technology utilization, research, interpersonal and multicultural facilitation) and the nature of the particular function which characterizes the option (e.g., program design, instruction, service delivery).

Admissions for Professional Studies - B.S.

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 wishing to declare the Professional Studies major must meet with either the program's coordinator or academic advisor 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 60 earned credit hours.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

This degree program may not be earned as a double major or dual degree with another major and cannot be earned as an additional degree after another degree at the same or higher level has been earned previously.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of leadership, interpersonal communication, professional conduct and research skills.
  2. Apply skills and competencies required in desired career paths.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
PROS 44003CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 3
PROS 44004RESEARCH AND WRITINGS IN PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (WIC) (min C grade) 13
PROS 44005EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR VARIED PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS 3
PROS 44092PRACTICUM IN PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (ELR) 21-12
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
American Civic Literacy Requirement 33
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 36-9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 33-6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)73
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students who have successfully completed a designated writing-intensive course may be waived from PROS 44004 with approval by the Professional Studies program coordinator. A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

State/Federal background checks may be required for practicum experiences. Students with prior work, internship, practicum, student teaching and/or field experience may be waived from PROS 44092 with approval by the Professional Studies program coordinator. However, the experiential learning requirement will still need to be met by a course or non-course activity. A maximum of 12 credit hours of PROS 44092 may apply toward graduation requirements.

3

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • No dual degree/major may be earned with the Professional Studies major.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Mostly online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Employment Opportunities

Graduates have pursued careers in many education-related fields, including social service agencies, national parks, computer network management, ministry, and museum education. This program can also prepare students for graduate work. Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees in Higher Education Administration, law, library service, instructional technology, and counseling.

The Professional Studies program can be designed to meet many different career goals. Employers often look for employees who have strength in communications, the ability to work well on teams, who are well-rounded in their education, demonstrate leadership skills, and possess excellent computer skills.

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