Bachelor of Arts in Music

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Science degree in Emerging Media and Technology offers students the space to play, imagine and solve problems. The degree program draws on a number of disciplines, including emerging media, design, information sciences, human-computer interaction and communication. The technology curriculum is grounded in social science and the humanities, introducing students to theories of how technology shapes and changes people and societies. Students learn technical applications and skills in problem solving, design, user experience, creative applications and programming. Students synthesize technical and organizational skills in a series of experiential, hands-on and project-based courses in which they work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in the technical skills needed to pursue jobs in emerging media and technology, which includes web development, coding, data, human-computer interaction, creative applications, programming and problem-solving.
• Utilize emerging media technologies to design better experiences, improve existing systems and analyze digital social structures.
• Recognize the rapidly changing nature of emerging media and technology and learn the skills needed to adapt.
• Apply interdisciplinary solutions to solving technical, social and human problems related to emerging media and technology.
• Employ teamwork and project management as a problem solving technique.
• Critically analyze the effectiveness of their own work and the work of others.

The Master of Healthcare Design degree is a post-professional degree and one of the very few in the country focusing on the design of healthcare facilities. The MHCD program equips students with the knowledge and skills required to design spaces that are conducive to safety, satisfaction, and efficiency for all end users, including patients, staff, and caregivers. The MHD program is also designed for those professionals who want to have a deeper understanding of not just healthcare design, but of other drivers of healthcare innovations such as public policy, reimbursement, emerging technologies and what patient-centered care really means from the perspective of patients and families.

Upon graduation, our alumni are employed in healthcare-focused architecture and design firms. Kent State University's Healthcare Design program is also a member of the AIA's Design & Health Research Consortium.

Program curriculum is diverse by complementing required courses with electives from Colleges of Public Health, Nursing, and beyond. Connecting with professionals in the field is one of the core missions of the program, expanding students’ network and exposure to real-world projects.

To earn the degree, students must complete a master's project by designing a healthcare environment of their choice. Students will develop research-based design guidelines for their individual projects to guide their designs. The program takes one and a half or two years to complete, depending on course load.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in German provides instruction designed to develop competence in oral and written communication; insights into language form, usage and meaning; and knowledge of German literature, cultural history and contemporary issues. Additionally, students will be introduced to basic skills in German-to-English translation.

The flexibility of the major makes it easy to combine with a second major, such as the History, International Relations or Political Science major or another foreign language major.

Students wishing to teach may combine the German major with the Education minor to prepare for multi-age (K–12) teacher licensure in Ohio.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform language tasks at intermediate high and advanced low levels of proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Proficiency, in ACTFL terms, is understood to describe a range of qualities rather than an absolute norm and will vary according to task type, language function, topic, skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and so forth.
• Contribute to most informal and some formal conversations with sufficient accuracy, clarity and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion.
• Read a wide variety of texts written for native speakers of German and not edited or adapted for non-native speakers.
• Compose routine social correspondence and write cohesive summaries, narratives and descriptions of a factual nature in German.
• Demonstrate an historical knowledge of German history and culture and understand the diverse nature of culture throughout the ages.
• Discuss cultural differences, distinguishing between fact, opinion and stereotypes.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively to diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
• View concepts, issues, events and themes from the perspectives of diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
• Esteem diversity.
• Maintain an ongoing assessment of their own cultural values and behaviors.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Media Production educates students to create exciting fiction and non-fiction content for delivery in today’s most in-demand formats. Whether they want to produce the next award-winning podcast, write a hit streaming series, or influence millions with social media content, students learn from seasoned professionals using industry standard technology to tell their stories on screens big or small.

Many opportunities exist to collaborate with students from theatre and dance, game design, science, music, art, fashion and technology during the production of live TV, short films, audio series, documentaries and animated works.

Students also have the chance to work with Kent State’s TeleProductions operations, the nationally recognized Student Media outlets at the School, and even NPR affiliate WKSU.

With the added professional experience students earn from the required internship, they graduate ready to play a leading role in the entertainment industry of tomorrow.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical thinking, grounded in a legal and ethical framework.
• Gather information, analyze it, and make informed judgments using methods and tools appropriate to their professions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research appropriate to their professions, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic ethical principles to their professional work.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply laws and regulations applicable to their professional work.
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Demonstrate understanding of how media and their professions evolved historically, their role in societal development and their global interaction today with institutions and individuals.
• Demonstrate appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences, and reflect that appreciation in their work.

The Master of Arts degree in Media and Journalism is designed to give students a solid background in preparation for a professional career. Students are able to take a mix of online and face-to-face courses that allow them to craft a graduate degree that reflects their career interest. Courses are dynamic, challenging and professionally relevant. With small class sizes, students are able to learn from their professors and from the experiences of their fellow classmates, many of whom are working media professionals or nationally recognized journalism educators.

The Media and Journalism major offers the following optional concentration:

• The Journalism Education concentration is intended for those seeking to teach or advise student journalists. The program is affiliated with Kent State's Center for Scholastic Journalism, and faculty include some of the most-recognized high school journalism educators in the country. The coursework focuses on concepts and lessons that can be used in a teacher's classroom right away, with a professional project as the culminating requirement.

Students not selecting the concentration work with their advisor to plan a course of study that meets their professional needs, with the culminating requirement of either a thesis or professional project.

The School of Media and Journalism provides its students with a strong foundation to achieve their goals in the rapidly changing media industry. All students take a series of core courses that provide the foundation for a career in media and journalism and develop a specialization through the selection of elective courses that can be within or outside of the school. One student may choose to hone skills as a multimedia journalist focusing on public affairs, while another may seek to develop expertise as a public relations professional for not-for-profit organizations.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Communicate effectively across multiple platforms.
• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant ethical and legal frameworks in their disciplines.
• Ground their professional work in relevant theories.
• Represent high levels of professionalism.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies combines a liberal arts  background with law-related specialty courses to provide students with communication, critical reasoning and analytical skills; knowledge of the legal system; and practical hands-on experience.

The program prepares students for the Certified Paralegal exam from the National Association of Legal Assistants. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Analyze a legal problem as well as identify and evaluate alternative solutions.
• Formulate logical solutions to problems and construct logical arguments in support of specific positions as well as evaluate solutions and arguments.
• Determine which areas of law are relevant to a particular situation.
• Apply principles of professional ethics to specific factual situations.
• Identify interrelationships among cases, statutes, regulations, and other legal authorities.
• Apply recognized legal authority to a specific factual situation.
• Analyze factual situations to determine when it is appropriate to apply exceptions to general legal rules.
• Apply exceptions to general legal rules.
• Distinguish evidentiary facts from other material and/or controlling facts.
• Identify factual omissions and inconsistencies.

The Master of Science degree in Mechatronics Engineering provides an advanced theoretical and/or research-oriented curriculum with significant depth in mechatronics-related discipline, beyond the general fundamentals of the engineering bachelor's degree.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work.
• Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of mechatronics engineering.
• Communicate problems and solutions in mechatronics engineering clearly, both verbally and in writing.

The Master of Fine Art degree in Studio Art is designed to prepare students for careers as independent visual arts through the cultivation and refinement of a successful studio practice. The program emphasizes intensive personal investigation and the development of strong aesthetic and conceptual understanding. In addition to time in their own studio, students have opportunities to enhance existing skills and knowledge by observing undergraduate class demonstrations and critiques.

The M.F.A. is the terminal degree in the studio arts and is a requirement for those who intend to teach visual arts in higher education.

The Studio Art major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Ceramics concentration offers an intense focus on artistic development. Through mentorship and a broad spectrum of course offerings, students work closely with faculty advisors to find their own voice as artists. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.F.A. thesis exhibition.
• The Drawing concentration draws upon contemporary practices and discourse in the field to prepare students for a life in the arts. Students are encouraged to work across disciplines and techniques in order to develop a body of work that reflects their independent investigations in drawing. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.F.A. thesis exhibition.
• The Glass concentration is based on the belief that successful creative work results from spending time with one’s ideas and receiving constructive and supportive criticism from faculty and peers.  The concentration aims to create an atmosphere where students pursue ideas and engage in an extended scholarly dialogue. While building on the legacy of the American Studio Glass Movement, students are fostered to be leaders in redefining the future of studio glassmaking.
• The Jewelry, Metals and Enameling concentration allows students to build individual research strategies for developing a coherent and distinctive body of work. Investigations of inter-media and interdisciplinary relationships are part of the curricular focus. Students are expected to be conscious of and involved in contemporary practices, discourse and trends, nationally and globally, among the field and within the larger arts/crafts/design movements. In addition to time in their own studio, students have opportunities to enhance existing skills and knowledge by observing undergraduate class demonstrations and critiques. Students are encouraged to use both traditional and contemporary studio practices while having access to an array of metalsmithing equipment, enameling kilns and a digital fabrication laboratory..
• The Painting concentration draws upon contemporary practices and discourse in the field to prepare students for a life in the arts. Students are encouraged to work across disciplines and techniques in order to develop a body of work that reflects their independent investigations in painting. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.F.A. thesis exhibition.
• The Print Media and Photography concentration aims to strengthen the students’ personal vision through emphasis on the conceptual aspects of the printmaking and photography disciplines. Students have access to studios for lithography, etching, relief, silkscreen and digital media, in addition to a darkroom, press room and digital fabrication laboratory.  Enrollment is deliberately kept small enough to make possible the faculty mentor/student relationship.
• The Sculpture and Expended Media concentration encourages proficiency in foundational methods of making-modeling, carving and assembly. The concentration is a springboard for students to learn how to communicate ideas through sculptural works. Although sculpture classes are rooted in the history of object-making new forms of sculptural practice (installation, time-based practice, sound and kinetic works) are all part of a comprehensive three-dimensional program.
• The Textiles concentration focus on guiding young artists into the world of the professionally active studio artist. Digital design and technology go hand-in-hand with traditional fiber art techniques, while pushing students to think conceptually, experimentally and across disciplines.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced professional competence in some aspect of studio art as exemplified by considerable depth of knowledge and achievement of a significant body of work.
• Demonstrate a deep and comprehensive awareness of historical and cultural contents of art production.
• Demonstrate advanced skills of aesthetic judgement and assessment, as well as integration/synthesis and independent thought.
• Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary art making and relevant issues through dialogues with professional artists and curators.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sport Performance prepares teachers who exemplify best practices in the PK-12 setting and professionals who promote high quality physical activity opportunities for individuals across the lifespan. The program places a strong emphasis on field experience, internships and professional development experiences.

The Physical Education and Sport Performance major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Health and Physical Education concentration is a five-year program that provides the curriculum necessary for students seeking Ohio teacher licensure in both health education and physical education. The program includes multiple field experiences in a variety of school districts, followed by a full semester of student teaching. Students teach in both subjects and are eligible to sit for the multi-age teacher licensing examinations. Students in combined bachelor's/master's degree programs may apply graduate courses toward the B.S.E. degree.
• The Physical Activity and Sport Performance concentration is grounded in the understanding that the study of physical activity and sport is important in themselves and as biological and social concepts. The concentration provides students with the opportunity to design their educational experience by developing an individualized program of study. Students in this concentration are required to declare a minor, either in a related field or outside the field.
• The Physical Education Teacher Licensure concentration prepares students to seek Ohio teacher licensure in physical education. The program includes multiple field experiences in a variety of school districts, followed by a full semester of student teaching. Graduates are eligible to sit for the multi-age teacher licensing examinations.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Engineering provides students instruction in basic math and science, engineering principles, processes, project management and personnel management. Students learn in the classroom, as well as through hands-on experiments and real-world internships.

The degree program can also function as a completer degree for students with an associate degree in engineering technology.

The Applied Engineering major comprises the following concentrations:

The Applied Engineering and Technology Management concentration provides a focus on the application of management, design and technical skills for system integration; the execution of new product designs; the improvement of manufacturing processes and the management; and direction of physical and/or technical functions of an organization. Students also understand materials, facility design, quality and safety.

The Foundry Technology concentration prepares students for employment in the metal casting industry. Students complete coursework in materials and processes, cast metals, metallurgy and material science, solid modeling and solidification. In addition, students apply their knowledge and skills in the capstone course on foundry tooling and pattern making. They also will gain experience with programmable logic controllers, hydraulics, pneumatics and computer-aided manufacturing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Develop technical competencies based on engineering principles.
• Integrate communications, social and physical sciences to develop critical thinking and quantitative skills.
• Develop the necessary skill set to solve complex technological problems from a systems and sustainability perspective.