Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design integrates conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; best practices in sustainable methods and knowledge and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.

The degree program prepares students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for any entry-level design position in the industry. In addition, students participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.

The B.F.A. degree in Fashion Design engages students in a focused-study thesis project (collection development) as a capstone experience that results in submitting their collection for formal review by faculty and industry designer-critics, followed by public presentation in a fashion venue and completion of a thesis "magazine" (print collateral).

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.

New Students: Admission to this degree is selective and not open to new students at Kent State University. The B.F.A. degree requires applicants to have a minimum 2.750 overall Kent State GPA and the support of the Fashion Design faculty. To be considered for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, students must be enrolled in junior-level fashion design studio courses and submit a letter of intent and B.F.A. proposal by the established deadlines.

Transfer Students: Admission to the Fashion Design major requires a minimum 2.750 overall GPA based on minimum 24 credit hours of college-level coursework at an accredited institution. Those students meeting this GPA requirement but with fewer than 24 credit hours will be evaluated as new freshmen.

Students who do not meet the criteria for admission to the Fashion Design major may be eligible for admission to the Pre-Fashion Design and Merchandising non-degree major. In addition, students who do not meet the admission criteria may initiate the process for declaring the B.A. degree in Fashion Design after completing minimum 12 credit hours of non-developmental coursework at Kent State University and earning a minimum 2.750 overall GPA.

Effective for the fall 2025 admission term, transfer students will follow the same admission criteria as new students.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products and services.
2. Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
3. Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product, including skills in portfolio preparation.
4. Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
5. Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
6. Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

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

²

Students are required to participate in a study away opportunity. Students must have a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to participate in this study away requirement. Choose from the following: FDM 30189; FDM 30190; FDM 30289; FDM 30290; FDM 35070; FDM 35080; FDM 35589; FDM 35689; FDM 35789; FDM 35889; FDM 35989; FDM 45392; FDM 45589; FDM 45590; OGE 10095.

³

Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 45093 can be used as an Additional Major Elective. Maximum 6 credit hours from each non-Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) subject area can be used as an Additional Major Elective.

Graduation Requirements

• Participation in a study abroad/away experience
• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for internship
• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for study away

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

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

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Full Description

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Nursing is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice, gain leadership and technology skills and become clinical scholars. Students develop leadership skills to affect health outcomes for individuals and populations by translating scientific evidence into clinical interventions, managing healthcare systems and collaborating with other health care providers.

The Nursing major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Executive Nurse concentration prepares nurse leaders for the role of nurse executive at the highest level of healthcare administration.
• The Systems Leadership concentration prepares advanced practice and clinical experts to lead interprofessional teams focused on evidence-based practice, quality improvement and translational research.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Previous degree:
  • Executive Nurse concentration – master's degree in nursing or a related field
  • Systems Leadership concentration – one of the following: (1) bachelor's degree in nursing¹ or (2) master's degree in nursing
• Minimum overall 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a minimum C grade
• Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which the student's practica will be completed
• Résumé or curriculum vitae that demonstrates professional experience in nursing
• Essay (300 words) describing professional goals and reasons for seeking the professional practice doctorate
• Three letters of reference from healthcare professionals or academic faculty who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities
• Pre-admission interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy. Priority admission to the Nurse Executive concentration will be given to candidates who hold American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification or American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Executive certification or who have experience in nursing management or administration.

¹

Post-baccalaureate students admitted to the System's Leadership concentration also will be admitted to the M.S.N. degree in one of the advanced practice registered nurses concentrations. This dual admit will allow students to complete M.S.N. coursework and enroll in some D.N.P. coursework after successfully completing their first two full-time semesters of graduate study. Students must first complete M.S.N. coursework, earn the M.S.N. degree and obtain APRN national certification before they can continue with D.N.P. coursework and earn the D.N.P. degree.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: March 1
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: November 1
• Summer Term
  • Priority deadline: March 1

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop and implement systems-focused care and innovative strategies to promote positive, sustainable health and fiscal outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
2. Provide population-focused, advanced nursing care to diverse populations within a variety of settings based on evidence, ethics, theory and professional standards.
3. Provide leadership and interprofessional collaboration to plan, implement and evaluate programs of care delivery to improve outcomes for individuals, populations and aggregates.
4. Synthesize and translate evidence for implementation and dissemination for equitable, evidence-based and inclusive healthcare outcomes.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

NURS 70016 is required for students who have not completed graduate coursework in advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology and advanced physiology. Students who have previously completed the course will be waived the requirement and may graduate with 34 credit hours.

²

Students must complete a minimum of 7 credit hours (525 clock hours) of NURS 70592 in a clinical setting. Students who are unable to complete and successfully defend their scholarly project after being enrolled for 7 credit hours (525 clock hours) must continuously enroll in 1 credit hour of NURS 70592 each semester, for up to three semesters, until the scholarly project is successfully defended. The In-Progress (IP) administrative mark will be assigned to the course until the scholarly project is successfully defended, at which time all IP marks will be changed to the Satisfactory (S) grade.

Executive Nurse Concentration Requirements

Systems Leadership Concentration Requirements

Progression Requirements

Student who do not earn a minimum B grade in a course must repeat it and cannot take other courses that require that course as a prerequisite until the course is successfully repeated. Students who do not earn a minimum B grade in the second attempt may be dismissed from the D.N.P. degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum B grade in all courses
• Completion of minimum 500 practicum hours for post-master's students. Post-baccalaureate students are required to complete additional hours based upon their selected concentration.
• Submission and defense of a scholarly project to a committee that includes, at minimum, the student's academic advisor and two other doctoral-prepared members. The project must result in a manuscript suitable for publication.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

The D.N.P. degree in Nursing at Kent State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Full Description

The Knowledge Management graduate certificate prepares professionals to guide organizations to improved performance through better use of organizational knowledge. In the knowledge economy, the success of organizations depends on their ability to generate, adopt and diffuse knowledge. Knowledge management promotes a collaborative and integrative approach to the creation, capture, organization, access and use of information assets, including the tacit and knowledge of people.

Students in the Knowledge Management certificate learn from interaction with their instructors and student colleagues, many of whom are also professionals working in knowledge management. Through courses and other opportunities, students gain experience in developing and applying knowledge to improve organizational strategies, processes and technical skills.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on 4.000-point scale¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

In calculating the total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (baccalaureate or master's) from all institutions are required. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to develop and deliver strategies for organizations and communities that apply knowledge to create value.
2. Demonstrate the ability to design a knowledge management program to turn strategies into action through the integration of people, process and technology components.

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

¹

Graduate-level electives offered by other schools in or outside the College of Communication and Information may be applied to certificate requirements upon advisor approval.

Graduation Requirements

• Students enrolled in the certificate can apply for admission to the master's degree and apply a maximum of 12 credit hours taken for the certificate program to the master's program requirements.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design integrates conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; best practices in sustainable methods and knowledge and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.

The B.A. degree in Fashion Design promotes an emphasis on the diversity of studio practice and liberal art experiences with the most up to date technology applications. Students have the option to select coursework offerings to gain expertise in a variety of specialties that connect directly to fashion design, such as wearable technology applications, sustainable development and design, garment knitting, illustration and/or accessory design.

The degree program prepares students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for any entry-level design position in the industry. In addition, students  participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.

When enrolled in junior-level fashion design studio courses, fashion design students may complete the application process to declare the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or chose to continue pursing the B.A. degree. The decision as to which degree is best for a particular student depends on the student's educational and career goals, academic standing, performance in studio coursework and an approved "B.F.A. Proposal."

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.

Freshman Students: Admission to the Fashion Design major is selective. Prospective applicants must have a minimum 3.000 overall grade point average (on a 4.000 scale).

Transfer Students: Admission to the Fashion Design major requires a minimum 2.750 overall GPA based on minimum 24 credit hours of college-level coursework at an accredited institution. Those students meeting this GPA requirement but with fewer than 24 credit hours will be evaluated as new freshmen.

Students who do not meet the criteria for admission to the Fashion Design major may be eligible for admission to the Pre-Fashion Design and Merchandising non-degree major. In addition, students who do not meet the admission criteria may initiate the process for declaring the B.A. degree in Fashion Design after completing minimum 12 credit hours of non-developmental coursework at Kent State University and earning a minimum 2.750 overall GPA.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products and services.
2. Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
3. Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product, including skills in portfolio preparation.
4. Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
5. Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
6. Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

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

²

Students are required to participate in a study away opportunity. Students must have a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to participate in this study away requirement. Choose from the following: FDM 30189; FDM 30190; FDM 30289; FDM 30290; FDM 35070; FDM 35080; FDM 35589; FDM 35689; FDM 35789; FDM 35889; FDM 35989; FDM 45392; FDM 45589; FDM 45590; OGE 10095.

³

Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 45093 can be used as an Additional Major Elective. Maximum 6 credit hours from each non-Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) subject area can be used as an Additional Major Elective.

Graduation Requirements

• Participation in a study abroad/away experience
• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for internship
• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for study away

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

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

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Reconcile the needs of clinical and non-clinical users of health information systems utilizing workflow analysis, systems analysis and project-management principles.
2. Analyze collected data of health information systems, utilizing principles of data mining, statistics and clinical analytics.
3. Manage the implementation of health information systems in multiple health care venues using principles of organizational dynamics and change management.
4. Facilitate communication between clinical and non-clinical users of health information systems.
5. Successfully obtain the credential of Certified Associate in Health Information Systems.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale.
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students enrolled in the certificate can apply for admission to the master's degree and apply a maximum of 12 credit hours taken for the certificate program toward the master's program requirements.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

Full Description

The School Library Media Licensure non-degree program is intended for students who already hold a teaching license and are interested in working in school libraries. The curriculum comprises coursework in library science, educational technology, management, cataloging and literature. A required practicum provides students the opportunity to apply principles learned in graduate study to real-world experiences and to network with professionals in the field.

This program is one of the three pathways available at Kent State University for students who are interested in obtaining multi-age licensure in school library media through the Ohio Department of Education. The other two pathways are the M.L.I.S. degree in School Library Media K-12 and the dual M.L.I.S. degree with the M.Ed. degree in Educational Technology.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale ¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Current résumé or curriculum vita
• Student Profile Form
• Application essay
• Statement of exception addressing circumstances and readiness for graduate education
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

In calculating the total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (baccalaureate or master's) from all institutions are required. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Apply the field's foundational theories, principles, values, ethics and skills to everyday practice in a school library context.
2. Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the school librarianship field.
3. Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational and social roles and responsibilities of librarians and the educational environments they work in within the global society.
4. Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a school librarianship context
5. Identify needs and connect kindergarten-to-grade-12 stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators) and communities with information that engages and empowers them.

Program Requirements

Licensure Information

In Ohio, an individual must have attained a currently valid standard Ohio teaching license in order to add the multi-age supplemental library media licensure as an endorsement area. Out of state applicants should verify licensure reciprocity and library media licensure requirements with their state education agencies. Students are responsible for completing licensure paperwork requirements through the Kent State University College of Education, Health and Human Services near the end of or at the conclusion of the program. Exam administered by the Evaluations Systems Group of Pearson is required for licensure.

Applicants interested in obtaining school library media licensure or certification outside the state of Ohio should refer to the requirements established by their state education agencies.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

The School Library Media Licensure non-degree program is accredited by the American Library Association and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in User Experience prepares students for careers in discovery research, information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, usability testing and user experience strategy and assessment. As essential members of multidisciplinary design teams, user experience professionals engage in a variety of activities to produce usable products that delight users and help organizations meet the needs of their clients, patrons, users and stakeholders. User experience analysis addresses the structural, informational, psychological and emotional dimensions that make interactive communication and information technologies useful and successful.

Kent State's program provides a broad introduction to all phases of the multidisciplinary design process, with the opportunity to build deeper knowledge and skills in a focus area. The program includes electives from aligned master's programs in the College of Communication and Information and related disciplines.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: April 15
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15
• Summer Term
  • Application deadline: March 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Articulate the values of a user experience professional in the context of agile, multidisciplinary design teams.
2. Design and conduct research to understand user needs.
3. Apply interaction design fundamentals to address user needs.
4. Create and evaluate information structures to support usability and content strategy.
5. Test and assess design ideas, prototypes and existing systems by employing data collection and analysis methods.
6. Communicate research findings and contribute design solutions to designers, developers and stakeholders.
7. Demonstrate professional competencies aligned with career goals.

Programs Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students may apply the course as a major elective if the course is not already fulfilling the fundamentals elective.

²

Maximum 6 credit hours, combined, may count toward the degree: UX 60691, UX 60693, UX 60792, UX 61095, UX 61096, UX 66092, UX 66099, UX 66198 and UX 66199.

Graduation Requirements

• Evidence of preparation for professional advancement as approved by faculty advisor.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online