Plan Your Own Degree
Though the College of Arts and Sciences offers 45 undergraduate major and 42 master’s programs, some students prefer to take a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to the design of an educational program while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals.
For undergraduate students
The Bachelor of Integrative Studies Degree (BIS) is a College of Arts and Sciences non-major degree in which the student is personally responsible for the research and design of his or her own degree program. A student must first have a minimum of 60 earned hours (and preferably not more than 90) before applying for and declaring the BIS degree.
Students choose a minimum of three academic departments, one of which must be housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, to select courses and develop a rationale for the way in which these courses are supportive of their career goals.
Visit the Bachelor of Integrative Studies Degree (BIS) website
For graduate students
The Master of Liberal Studies at Kent State University is a College of Arts and Sciences master’s program tailored to the specific interests and needs of the student. Under the guidance of the Program Director, students select courses from across the university, including online courses, to form their own individualized and integrated course of study. In addition to standard classroom-style courses, students can select up to 6 hours of internship or practicum and up to 6 hours of research.
Kent State University is one of 6 institutions in Ohio to offer the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree, but the only one that allows you to take courses from any college or school in the university. It also has the fewest required courses: only ONE required course, AS 61000 Introduction to Liberal Studies.