Biology - B.A.

Explore the fascinating world of biology with Kent State's Biology B.A. program. Gain a deep understanding of the complexities of life, from the molecular level to the ecosystem level, through engaging coursework and hands-on experience. Our program prepares you for a variety of career paths, from healthcare to research and beyond. Enroll now for endless opportunities in biology.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Program Information for Biology - B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology is for students who are interested in the biological sciences, but who also want a degree with a strong liberal arts component. The program provides a basic background in biology while offering the opportunity to take a wide range of classes in other disciplines.

The Biology major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Animal Ecology concentration focuses on animals and their environment. Students choose electives from several categories, including zoology, conservation and environmental management and botany.

Biologists work in a variety of settings, and career opportunities are available in government agencies, privately owned companies and non-profit groups. Graduates may also choose to further their education beyond a bachelor's degree by attending graduate or professional school. The Department of Biological Sciences has several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.

Admissions for Biology - B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

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 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.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand fundamental biological principles.
  2. Acquire the foundational skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
  3. Conduct proper experimental design, analyze biological data and communicate research results.
  4. Know and appreciate the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics and human health and disease.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 10110BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 10120BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 30105CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY 1
BSCI 30156ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
BSCI 40163EVOLUTION 3
BSCI 40600WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 11
CHEM 10058GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES I 24
or CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
Biology (BSCI) Electives 35
Biology (BSCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 310
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)10-16
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)22
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:27
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Animal Ecology Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

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

2

Students who plan to attend a professional or graduate program are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 10060.

3

Students should consult with a faculty advisor to determine the most appropriate courses given their disciplinary interests and career aspirations. A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be used to fulfill electives.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 10059GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES II 14
or CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
General Electives19
Minimum Total Credit Hours:27
1

Students who took CHEM 10058 must take CHEM 10059. Students who took CHEM 10060 must take CHEM 10061.

Animal Ecology Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 30360GENERAL ECOLOGY 4
Botany Elective, choose from the following:3-4
BSCI 30267
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
BSCI 30270
GENERAL PLANT BIOLOGY
BSCI 30274
FORESTRY
BSCI 30275
LOCAL FLORA (ELR)
BSCI 30277
ECONOMIC BOTANY
BSCI 40270
PLANT ECOLOGY
Conservation and Management Elective, choose from the following:3-4
BSCI 30362
INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY OF THE TROPICS
BSCI 30370
CLIMATE CHANGE BIOLOGY
BSCI 40170
STREAM BIOLOGY
BSCI 40364
LIMNOLOGY
BSCI 40368
WETLAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (ELR)
BSCI 40374
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (ELR)
BSCI 40375
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
General Animal Ecology Electives, choose from the following:6-8
BSCI 30361
BIOGEOGRAPHY
BSCI 30560
INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
BSCI 40430
ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
BSCI 40515
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
BSCI 40556
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
Zoology Electives, choose from the following:6-8
BSCI 30580
ENTOMOLOGY
BSCI 30582
ORNITHOLOGY
BSCI 40360
ICHTHYOLOGY
BSCI 40558
MAMMALOGY
BSCI 40560
HERPETOLOGY
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Additional5
Minimum Total Credit Hours:27

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000

The following Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses may NOT be used in the elective category for majors or minors in the Department of Biological Sciences:

BSCI 10001HUMAN BIOLOGY (KBS) 3
BSCI 10002LIFE ON PLANET EARTH (KBS) 3
BSCI 10003LABORATORY EXPERIENCE IN BIOLOGY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
BSCI 10005SMALL ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS 4
BSCI 11010FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) 3
BSCI 11020FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) 3
BSCI 16001HORTICULTURAL BOTANY 3
BSCI 20019BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 4
BSCI 20021BASIC MICROBIOLOGY 3
BSCI 20022BASIC MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY 1
BSCI 21010ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 21020ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II 4
BSCI 26002ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF PEST MANAGEMENT 3
BSCI 26003PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION I 3
BSCI 26004PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION II 3
BSCI 30050HUMAN GENETICS 3
BSCI 40020BIOLOGY OF AGING 3

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the following:

  1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
  2. One of the following options:
    1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
    2. Elementary I and II of a second language
    3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

  1. Passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level
  2. Receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University
  3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.

Roadmaps

Roadmaps

On This Page

Roadmaps

Biology Major (No Concentration)

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Note: Placement in MATH courses may require additional coursework before the spring semester during first year of enrollment  
!BSCI 10110 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
BSCI 30105 CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY 1
!CHEM 10058
or CHEM 10060
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES I
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
!BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
!CHEM 10059
or CHEM 10061
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES II
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
General Electives 7
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
BSCI 40600 WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 1
Biology (BSCI) Electives 5
Foreign Language 4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Six
Biology (BSCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Foreign Language 4
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
BSCI 40163 EVOLUTION 3
Biology (BSCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 4
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Semester Eight
Biology (BSCI) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Animal Ecology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!BSCI 10110 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
BSCI 30105 CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOLOGY 1
!CHEM 10058
or CHEM 10060
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES I
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 2
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Four
BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
!BSCI 30360 GENERAL ECOLOGY 4
BSCI 40600 WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WIC) 1
Biology (BSCI) Elective 3
Concentration Elective 3-4
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
Concentration Electives 6-8
Foreign Language 4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Seven
BSCI 40163 EVOLUTION 3
Biology (BSCI) Elective 2
Concentration Electives 6-8
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
Biology (BSCI) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 10
Concentration Elective 3-4
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus (major and optional concentration)
    • Stark Campus (major only)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Biology - B.A.

Biological scientists, all other

2.2%

slower than the average

44,700

number of jobs

$85,290

potential earnings

Biological technicians

4.9%

about as fast as the average

87,500

number of jobs

$46,340

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.8%

about as fast as the average

1,050,800

number of jobs

$62,870

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Student Media

Student Media

In Student Media, students create content for TV, radio, print magazines and newspapers, websites and social media. Together, they reach thousands of people every day, delivering original reporting, information, entertainment and advertising. 

IdeaBase

IdeaBase: Student-Powered Agency

IdeaBase is a Kent State student-powered design agency located in Franklin Hall. IdeaBase bridges the gap between classroom and career by bringing together top-performing Kent State students to tackle real-world client problems. The team represents a variety of backgrounds, including visual communication design, public relations, advertising, digital media production, computer information systems, emerging media and technology, marketing and communication studies students.

Nichole L. Egbert

Nichole currently teaches courses in Health Communication, Relational Communication and Foundations of Communication. Her research interests include social support and health, health literacy and spirituality/religiosity in health contexts.

Research Fields: Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Health Literary Social Support Spirituality/Religiosity social support in health contexts Health & Spirituality

American Advertising Federation

American Advertising Federation 

Kent State University’s chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF Kent State) is a student-led advocacy organization for the advertising industry.

As an on-campus hub for undergraduate and graduate students interested in all aspects of advertising, AAF Kent brings together those interested in advertising, fashion design and merchandising, marketing, entrepreneurship, visual communication design, and communication studies. 

Learn More

Advertising - B.S.

The advertising major provides a perfect blend of creativity and business acumen, allowing you to launch a successful career in the dynamic advertising industry. With a digital-first mindset and hands-on experience early on, you'll learn how to develop compelling campaigns that connect to audiences and make an impact.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Program Information for Advertising - B.S.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising gives students the chance to connect with people through different media forms, by selecting the right audience, uncovering consumer insights and developing strategic and creative messaging, all with a digital-first mindset. Curriculum focuses on the advertising industry and the social responsibilities associated with this exciting form of persuasive media.

Coursework is supplemented with an internship. Other opportunities for experience include news, production, management, sales, performance and advertising positions with Kent State’s award-winning student media.  Students also have the opportunity to get involved with the Kent State University chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). AAF gives students the opportunity to network, develop their professional skills, and prepare for a career in this exciting field.  Students teams also have the chance to participate in national competitions and make professional connections in the Franklin Advertising student group.

Students graduate ready for a career planning, buying and creating materials for digital and traditional outlets.

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.

Admissions for Advertising - B.S.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

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 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.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Current Kent State Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major to Advertising must have a minimum 2.000 overall GPA to be admitted.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate preparation for working in a global and diverse society.
  2. Develop SMART objectives to clarify and define communication goals.
  3. Apply strategic thinking and planning to build and execute elements of advertising campaigns.
  4. Analyze audiences using primary and secondary research.
  5. Craft well written material in a variety of lengths and formats to effectively communicate messages to a range of audiences.
  6. Create visually compelling materials to effectively communicate messages to a range of audiences.
  7. Apply best practices when utilizing a range of platforms for message delivery.
  8. Demonstrate professionalism in written, verbal and nonverbal communications, including maintaining strong ethical principles.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) (min C- grade in all courses) 1
EMAT 10310MY STORY ON THE WEB 3
or MDJ 20011 PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS
MDJ 20001MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 3
MDJ 20004ADVERTISING WRITING AND STORYTELLING 3
MDJ 20008RESEARCH AND MEASUREMENT IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 3
MDJ 21001PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING 3
MDJ 21015FOUNDATIONS OF STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATION 3
MDJ 31002ADVERTISING COPYWRITING (WIC) 23
MDJ 31003ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING 3
MDJ 31004DIGITAL ADVERTISING 3
MDJ 31007DIGITAL ANALYTICS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 2
MDJ 31011ADVERTISING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 3
MDJ 40006LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM 3
or MDJ 40016 LAW OF ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
MDJ 40011ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION 1
MDJ 40027RACE, GENDER, CLASS AND DIS/ABILITY IN MEDIA INDUSTRIES (DIVD) 3
MDJ 40092INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1
MDJ 41099ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (ELR) 3
or MDJ 41199 CAPSTONE: CAMPAIGNS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (ELR)
Media and Journalism Electives, choose from the following:6
CCI 45091
SEMINAR IN MEDIA AND MOVEMENTS (ELR)
MDJ 40092
INTERNSHIP (ELR)
MDJ 40201
PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MDJ 40202
PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICE: CRISIS COMMUNICATION
MDJ 40295
SELECTED TOPICS IN MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
MDJ 41192
PRACTICUM IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (ELR)
MDJ 41395
SELECTED TOPICS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Electives, choose from the following:9
CCI 10095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40089
BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40189
ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40289
ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40389
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40489
MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 45089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 46089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
COMM 15000
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL)
COMM 35852
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
EMAT 25310
CREATIVE CODING
EMAT 33310
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
LIS 30010
INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
UXD 20001
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
VCD 13000
VISUAL DESIGN THINKING
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)3
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) 328
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students transferring credit from another institution may apply a maximum of 12 credit hours of transfer coursework toward  their major requirements per the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications guidelines.

2

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement. If course is not being used to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement, a minimum grade of C- must be earned.

3

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

Progression Requirements
  • No grade lower than a C- in a MDJ course will be counted toward graduation or as a prerequisite for a subsequent class.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 3
MDJ 21001 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
EMAT 10310
or MDJ 20011
 MY STORY ON THE WEB
or PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS
3
MDJ 21015 FOUNDATIONS OF STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATION 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
MDJ 20004 ADVERTISING WRITING AND STORYTELLING 3
MDJ 20008 RESEARCH AND MEASUREMENT IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
MDJ 31011 ADVERTISING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
MDJ 31003
or MDJ 31004
 ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING
or DIGITAL ADVERTISING
3
MDJ 31007 DIGITAL ANALYTICS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
MDJ 31002 ADVERTISING COPYWRITING (WIC) 3
MDJ 31003
or MDJ 31004
 ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING
or DIGITAL ADVERTISING
3
MDJ 40027 RACE, GENDER, CLASS AND DIS/ABILITY IN MEDIA INDUSTRIES (DIVD) 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Third Summer Term
MDJ 40092 INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1
 Credit Hours1
Semester Seven
MDJ 40016
or MDJ 40006
 LAW OF ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
or LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
3
Media and Journalism Elective 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
MDJ 40011 ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION 1
MDJ 41099
or MDJ 41199
 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (ELR)
or CAPSTONE: CAMPAIGNS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (ELR)
3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Media and Journalism Elective 3
General Electives 4
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

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

Accreditation for Advertising - B.S.

Accreditation

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Advertising - B.S.

Advertising and promotions managers

-1.1%

decline

28,600

number of jobs

$133,460

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Brand Marketing Specialist
  • Media Planner and Buyer
  • Social Media Strategist
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Cristin Compton

Cristin A. Compton, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Communication Studies. She teaches courses in organizational communication, gender and communication and qualitative methods.

Research Fields: Communication Studies, Sexuality, Organizational Communication, Gender and Communication
Subscribe to
© 2025 Kent State University All rights reserved.