Information For Graduate Students

We know that graduate students need assistance along their academic path, which is why your graduate coordinator is here to provide assistance.

Graduate Coordinators:

School of Art

Shawn Powell
330-672-9728
spowel31@kent.edu

School of Fashion

Dr. J. Kim Vick
330-672-1473
MFIS@kent.edu

School of Music

Dr. Matthew Holm
330-672-2522
mholm2@kent.edu

 
School of Theatre and Dance

Michelle Hunt Souza
330-672-2082
msouza@kent.edu

Your Graduate Coordinator’s Role:

Please contact the graduate coordinator in the appropriate school to assist with any questions regarding the application process or the following tasks:

  • Apply for graduation
  • File a thesis or dissertation
  • Undertake a change of registration
  • Request a time extension for a graduate degree
  • Request transient credit approval
  • Verify coursework for combined undergraduate/graduate degrees
  • Deal with other concerns that their faculty advisor may be unable to address

Thesis and Dissertation Forms:

School of Art: Notification of Approved Thesis Proposal

School of Art: Report of Thesis Final Examination

School of Fashion: Notification of Approved Thesis Proposal

School of Fashion: Report of Thesis Final Examination

School of Music: Notification of Approved Dissertation Proposal

School of Music: Notification of Approved Thesis Proposal

School of Music: Report of Dissertation Final Examination

School of Music: Report of Thesis Final Examination

Instructions:

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Topic Approval Form Instructions

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Topic Approval Form Instructions

  1. Start here https://www.kent.edu/artscollege/information-graduate-students
  2. Click on the link to the appropriate form
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  3. Fill in the names and email addresses of your Thesis/Dissertation committee members and Advisor/Director. Make sure that you use the correct kent.edu email when entering your committee members.

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    There will be an opportunity to add additional committee members and a Co-Advisor or Co-Director on the next page. Click Continue.

  4. Enter the Date of your Final Exam
  5. Enter your Major Program
  6. Enter the Term
  7. Enter the Title of Proposed Thesis/Dissertation
  8. Attach Abstract file
  9. Indicate if you used human subjects and the date of IRB approvalA screenshot of a formDescription automatically generated
  10. Add a third and fourth committee member if needed. Add a Co-Advisor or Co-Director if needed.
  11. Click Next
  12. Click Next again on the next page, nothing needs to be filled here.A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated

     

  13. E-Sign the form and you will be to view PDF

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COTA Thesis and Dissertation Final Defense Form Instructions

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Final Defense Form Instructions

  1. Start here https://www.kent.edu/artscollege/information-graduate-students
  2. Click on the link to the appropriate form (topic approval or final defense. A white text with blue and black text

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  3. Fill in the names and email addresses of your Thesis/Dissertation Moderator, Committee members, Faculty Rep, and Advisor/Director.  Make sure that you use the correct kent.edu email when entering your committee members.
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Description automatically generatedThere will be an opportunity to add additional committee members and a Co-Advisor or Co-Director on the next page. Click Continue.
  4. Enter your Major Program
  5. Choose the Term
  6. Enter the Exact Title of Thesis/DissertationA screen shot of a computer

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  7. Add a third and/or fourth committee member if needed. Add a Co-Advisor or Co-Director if needed.A screenshot of a form

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  8. Click Next
  9. E-Sign the form and you will be to view a PDF          
Graduate Form Faculty Instructions

Graduate Form Faculty Instructions

  1. When the student initiates the form, they list their committee members and their Advisor/co-advisor.  The Graduate Coordinator, School Director, and Associate Dean are already coded into the form and will go to them automatically. 
  2. You will receive an email from donotreply@kent.edu.  Open it and click on the link to complete your section of the form.
  3. Scroll down the document until you see an option to (click to sign).A screenshot of a paperDescription automatically generated
  4. Enter your name exactly as it appears here.
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  5. You will see your signature on the form. Click Next.
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  6. No information needs to be entered on the next page click. Click Submit Form. A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated
  7. The form will now go to the next person listed on the form. If you serve more than one role you will be asked to sign more than once and will get the email more than once.

Important Dates for Graduate Students:

2024 Dates

Graduation Application Deadlines for Graduate Students

TermGraduationBegin Submitting ApplicationsDeadline for Submitting Applications
Fall 2024Dec. GraduationMarch 01, 2024August 23, 2024
Spring 2025May GraduationOctober 01, 2024January 17, 2025
Summer 2025Aug. GraduationFebruary 01, 2025May 30, 2025

         Application for Graduation Deadlines

 

Thesis & Dissertation Oral Exam College Document Filing Deadlines

(School Deadlines mat not exceed College Deadlines)

Fall 2024

August 23 
Deadline for Masters and Doctoral Degree and Graduate Certificate Candidates to Apply for August Graduation

December 8
Final Date for Oral Examination for Masters and Doctoral Degree Candidates for December Graduation

December 12
Deadline for Masters Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation to be Filed in the College and uploaded to OhioLINK for December Graduation.

December 13
Advanced Degree Commencement http://www.kent.edu/commencement

December 17
All IP grades for Thesis II and Dissertation II changed to S grades by faculty grade change workflow. https://www.kent.edu/registrar/fall-midterm-and-final-grades   

*University Dates may differ from College of Arts dates.

 

Spring 2025

January 17
Deadline for Master's and Doctoral Degree and Graduate Certificate Candidates to Apply for May Graduation

April 18
Final Date for Oral Examination for Masters and Doctoral Degree Candidates for May Graduation

May 2
Deadline for Doctoral Dissertation Degree Clearance

May 5
All IP grades for Thesis II and Dissertation II changed to S grades by faculty grade change  workflow 

May 10
Advanced Degree Commencement 

*University Dates may differ from College of Arts dates.

 

Summer 2025

May 30 
Deadline for Masters and Doctoral Degree and Graduate Certificate Candidates to Apply for August Graduation

July 25
Final Date for Oral Examination for Masters and Doctoral Degree Candidates for May Graduation

August 9
Advanced Degree Commencement http://www.kent.edu/commencement

August 10 
Deadline for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation to be Filed in the College and uploaded to OhioLINK  for December Graduation

August 10
All IP grades for Thesis II and Dissertation II changed to S grades by faculty grade change  workflow. https://www.kent.edu/registrar/spring-midterm-and-final-grades  

*University Dates may differ from College of the Arts dates.

Leave of Absence Return Plan:  

College of the Arts Graduate Students that have applied for a Graduate Leave of Absence must also submit a Leave of Absence Return Plan form. University Policy 3-01.12 sets out the eligibility, implementation, and procedures for Graduate Leave of Absence and Re-enrollment. It is highly recommended that students read this policy before initiating the request for Leave of Absence.

Fill Out the Leave of Absence Return Form


About The Graduate College at Kent State:

Although you are enrolled or enrolling in a graduate program in the College of the Arts, Kent State also is home to our Graduate College. Consider it a resource to help you with critical portions of this next step in your academic career. It can help by preparing students like you for scholarly, research and professional careers. 

Visit the Graduate College Website