With a multitude of electives, Kent Core and major-specific courses, Kent State University students have generous options when scheduling spring courses. But students might also feel a bit overwhelmed.
“Come meet with advising staff,” David Fair, academic advisor I in the exploratory advising center, told Kent State Today. “We’re equipped to have discussions and help.”
Numerous forms of advising are available and helpful when scheduling courses.
“Career Advising is so underutilized,” Fair said, referring to Kent State’s Career Exploration and Development. “I think students only use career advising toward the end of their undergraduate tenure, but really, you should be doing it more toward the start of your undergraduate tenure.”
When choosing courses, students need to remember that it is not only important to take the courses they are required to take, but also courses that interest them.
“We ask questions like ‘What skills do you want to learn?’ ‘What do you want to be able to do?’ ‘What kind of jobs do you want once you graduate?’” Ellie Hansen, director of academic advising for the College of Communication and Information, said. “We work backward from there.”
Remember what kind of student you are when choosing your classes, Hansen suggested.
“I think it’s important to try new things, but I also think it’s important to allow yourself to be who you are and to embrace yourself,” Hansen said.
What is easy for one student may not be easy for another student, like scheduling morning classes or classes that are strictly lectures. If you do not like taking morning classes, then do not push yourself to schedule only morning classes.
“I know every person is different, but if there’s an opportunity to share something about yourself with your advisor, I really encourage students to do that,” Hansen said.
Once you’ve chatted with your advisor, next it’s time to schedule your spring classes. But what to pick? While there are so many courses available for you to take, the Flash Communications team went through the Kent State 2025-2026 Course Catalog and created a non-exhaustive list of suggestions that stood out.
Take a look:
Thunderstorms and Severe Weather, AERN 25252 (3 credit hours)
Analysis and forecast of thunderstorm and severe convective weather activity development and movement. Analysis of atmospheric information and clouds, radar, computer models and charts. A study of mid-latitude cyclones and a focused survey of tropical depressions, hurricanes, tornadoes, dust and sandstorms. The study includes geographic effects and cyclone life cycles. Provides an in-depth look at the development of severe weather products for aviation, such as AIRMET, SIGMET and Convective SIGMET.
Competitive Gaming, AGD 33010 (3 credit hours)
Introduction to eSports culturesand exploration of streaming techniques and layouts. The business culture of eSports, developing teams, communities, competitive gaming, event marketing and organizing an eSports event. Must be in junior standing.
Introduction to Vacuum Systems, ATS 11001 (3 credit hours)
The course will cover the types, working principles, applications, troubleshooting and maintenance of vacuum pumps used in manufacturing industries.
Seminar in Communication and Pop Cultures, COMM 37091 (3 credit hours)
Popular culture is driven by communication. The messages in that communication can be prescriptive and descriptive and reveal much about people's culture, attitudes, fears, values and perceptions of reality. The course will focus on messages contained in various popular culture artifacts, including, but not limited to, film, television, the internet, music and literature. It is repeatable twice for credit.
Next semester, the special topic will be Pop Culture: True Crime, Communication & Culture.
The enormous popularity of the true crime genre in movies, books, podcasts and especially on streaming services has affected our language, culture, media landscape and public attitudes about crime and criminals. This course examines the genre's genesis, its surging appeal during the COVID era, relevant communication theories (including Cultivation Theory, Serial Effect, and Media Dependency Theory), and ethical implications. The course will trace the roots of this genre to "audience participation" media — an early form of reality TV where ordinary people voluntarily agreed to expose their lives, vulnerabilities and even crimes. We'll also examine how and why some "true" criminals go on to be social influencers and icons.
Special Topics in Criminology and Justice Studies, CRIM 37095 (3 credit hours)
Intensive analysis of issues significant and current in the field, which are not covered in regular courses. Repeatable for a total of 6 hours. In previous semesters, topics have included Serial Killers and Cults.
Digital Machine Knitting, FDM 30154 (3 credit hours)
Programming, knitting and the basics of operating an industrial knitting machine. Students will develop a sample book that includes industrial techniques like structure, shaping, jacquard, intarsia cables, etc. One group project to create a garment and one final project based on research of the knit industry will be required.
Food, Wine and Beverage Pairing, HEM 43231, (3 credit hours).
This course provides knowledge of the sensory relationship between food, wine, beer and other spirits and the important role this process has on hospitality operations. Topics include developing an understanding of wine, beer and food pairing as a hierarchical process. Menu development and cooking the food play an important role in this class; food is chosen first and then paired with the appropriate beverage. Students must be 21 and receive special approval from their academic advisor.
Survey of Rock Music History (DIVD), MUS 22131 (3 credit hours)
A survey of Rock Music History from the 1950s through the 20th century to today. Emphasis is on recognizing music literature, prominent artists and music styles, as well as related cultural events. Modern media, especially the Internet, is an integral component of the course.
Beginning Yoga, PWS 11663 (1 credit hour)
An overview course in yoga, an integrated study of health. Involves investigating and practicing breathing techniques (pranayama), hatha yoga postures (asana), meditation and relaxation. Also unifies the mind, body and spirit. Prerequisite: None.
Zombie Outbreak, PH 20015 (3 credit hours)
This course teaches the basic survival skills necessary to protect yourself, your family, and the public from a variety of natural and manmade “apocalypses.” Students apply the basics of emergency public health management to a zombie outbreak.
Witches: The Monstrous Feminine, WMST 30201 (3 credit hours)
This course counterbalances student inquiry with lectures and materials that are grounded in women's and gender/sexuality studies and reliant on a range of interdisciplinary sources. The course centers on two key touchstones: the witch and the monstrous feminine. Course trajectories traverse history, culture, religion, politics and academic and popular renderings to locate keys: hunts, trials, dynamics of allegation, guilt and innocence. The course aims to 'correct' traditions of objectification and typecasting by interrogating real subjectivities and the dimensionality of feminine, monstrous and witch.
To see a complete list of courses available this spring, visit the course catalog website.
Please make sure you have completed your academic advising appointment prior to your registration date. If you have not completed your appointment or still need to schedule one, visit KSU Navigate to set up a time with your advisor.