Concentration

Majors may have concentrations (required or optional), which are approved set of courses to indicate in-depth knowledge or specialty area within the major and are recognized on the student’s transcript.

Per the Ohio Department of Higher Education, concentrations must include a minimum of 50 percent of the overall curriculum within the major. For undergraduate majors, this percentage does not include general education (Kent Core), additional program requirements (electives or required courses that are not considered major coursework and/or not counted in major GPA) and general electives. The rationale behind the Ohio Department of Higher Education mandate is to ensure that concentrations are not so unique to their major curriculum that they operate as unauthorized separate degree programs.

Example in practice – Program 1:

Program 1 fits the rule because major credits (33) are more than 50 percent mark (25.5). Concentration includes 65% of the major curriculum.

Example in practice – Program 2:

Program 2 does not fit the rule because major credits (27) are not more than 50 percent mark (36). Concentration includes 38% of the major curriculum.

Example in practice – Program 3:

Program 3 fits the rule because major credits (30) are equal to 50 percent mark (30). Concentration includes 50% of the major curriculum.