Master of Arts in English - Literature and Writing

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics provides an education in aviation that produces professionals to operate the National Airspace System in the 21st century.

The Aeronautics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Aeronautical Studies concentration prepares students for entry-level technological positions in aviation and related areas. Although focused on a broad foundation of aeronautically related subjects, the program also provides a significant number of electives that allow students to explore other areas of interest or earn a minor in a particular area of study. It is well suited for those entering the program with previous flight experience or transfer credits from an accredited university.
• The Air Traffic Control concentration prepares students for professional work in air traffic control and management. Originally, as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic–Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI), the concentration provides practical simulation-based training in air traffic control that enables the CTI graduates to work as air traffic controllers and managers in the National Airspace System.
• The Aviation Management concentration prepares students for entry-level management supervisory and administrative positions in aviation and other aviation-related professional fields. This course of study combines technical and aeronautical courses with courses in management and information systems. Students entering this program should have a technical interest, mathematical proficiency and an ability to develop analytical and communicative capabilities.
• The Professional Pilot concentration is designed for students who aspire to become professional pilots. This concentration stresses subjects associated with flight systems, propulsion, structures and electronics. Students entering this program should have a strong desire for excellence in aviation as well as the flying skills required of a professional pilot.
• The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations concentration is for students who aspire to become professional Unmanned aircraft pilots (drone pilot).  This concentration is focused on the safe operations of unmanned aircraft systems, regulations, the technology of autonomous systems and policy regarding the operations of unmanned aerial elements. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of math, science and the applied sciences to aviation-related disciplines.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Understand and master the fundamental concepts and skills of airplane flight.
• Communicate effectively through written and oral means.
• Recognize the need and develop the cognitive abilities to engage in life-long learning by successfully contending with changing technologies, regulatory policies and procedures, market forces and the highly dynamic operational environment of commercial flight and professional aviation.
• Understand contemporary issues that affect aviation.
• Use the techniques, skills and modern technology necessary for professional practice.
• Understand the national and international aviation environment.
• Apply pertinent knowledge in identifying and solving problems.
• Know and understand the technical details involved in the effective management of employees and operational systems in professional aviation.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Studies is a liberal arts program that exposes students to the theory and processes of design and prepares them for directed graduate study and careers in a variety of design-related disciplines.

As the only liberal arts degree in Kent State's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the Architectural Studies major allows students to pursue dual degrees, double majors and/or multiple minors in related fields such as art history, business, construction management, fashion, geography, history, marketing, music, physical/life sciences, studio arts, urban studies, visual communications design and others. The program includes required design studios; lecture/studio hybrid courses; and seminars on architectural history, theory/criticism, urban issues and theories of sustainability. Additionally, students take architecture electives, which allow them to explore digital design processes, landscape architecture and urban design, or to pursue a minor in architectural history or historic preservation.

Students have the option of graduating with a streamlined dual degree, the B.A. degree in Architectural Studies and the B.S. degree in Construction Management.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the language, logic and rhetoric of design, and ability to deploy this understanding in design projects, research, analysis and critique.
• Demonstrate abilities in design thinking, visual thinking, critical thinking and design discourse.
• Demonstrate skills in research and apply these skills to the design of the built environment.
• Recognize the value of cultural diversity and a broad range of historical traditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of the interconnectedness of the allied design disciplines, and the ability to articulate relationships between these professions and other areas of study
• Appreciate a wide range of contrasting perspectives on sustainability, recognize the relationship between these perspectives and the design of the built environment, and advocate for specific positions
• Utilize and interpret literature and data related to environments and their design.
• Demonstrate leadership skills in cross-disciplinary settings

The Master of Education degree in Special Education provides students with advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Students in the program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change; or they may be wanting to prepare for doctoral-level study. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in special education (or in education) to be successful in the master's degree; however, should be motivated to develop a deeper understanding of the field of special education.

The M.Ed. degree program does not prepare students for teacher licensure; however, some of the coursework required for the degree may count toward licensure. Students interested in both licensure and a M.Ed. degree will need to apply and be fully admitted into both the master's degree and the non-degree graduate licensure preparation program.

The Special Education major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs concentration focuses on students with moderate to intensive educational needs who most often require modifications to the general academic curriculum and/or other extensive special education supports.

The Master of Arts degree in English offers students broad learning in English studies while providing concentrated study in one area. The English major comprises the following concentrations:

The Concentration for Teachers is for educators interested in advanced study of literature and writing. Coursework focuses on current scholarship and approaches to literature and writing. While not a degree in literary and composition pedagogy, the concentration is designed to encourage the application of current literary and writing research to the work responsibilities of the practicing teacher.

The Literature and Writing concentration prepares students for further graduate study in English and related fields, for professional training in such fields as library and information science, and for careers in teaching. The program achieves this goal with distribution requirements, electives and a required focus in either literary traditions, critical theory or rhetoric and composition.

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

• Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the literary texts they read and interpret.
• Demonstrate how to write coherently and clearly about research topics and other topics.
• Demonstrate an understanding on how disciplines are interconnected.
• Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
• Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Administration prepares students for careers in the sport industry through a balanced academic program and numerous practical experiences. Students complete a core group of courses developed to exceed accreditation guidelines, and all students are required to complete one of the following minors:

• Business
• Data Analytics
• Finance
• International Business for Non-Business Majors
• Management for Non-Business Majors
• Marketing

The curricular balance of sport, business and sociological courses along with three required practical experiences make the program of study one that is cutting edge compared to other programs within the state of Ohio and across the country.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in the areas of promotion and marketing as related to sport.
• Effectively and safely implement sporting events and fundraising events.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the policies and organizations that govern sport.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic legal concepts and theory as it applies to sport.
• Demonstrate financial knowledge of accounting, economics and finance as it applies to sport.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethics in sport management.
• Demonstrate an understanding of management and organizational skills in sport.
• Demonstrate an understanding of behavioral dimensions in sport.

The Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology prepares creative research scientists for careers in teaching, research and biotechnology. Graduates possess an in-depth comprehension of experimental design at the cellular and molecular levels of biological organization, as well as competency in current techniques in the discipline. Major research emphases include signal transduction, biochemistry and pathobiology, gene regulation, cell systems biology, cell and tissue ultrastructure, membrane structure and function, molecular aspects of neurobiology and endocrinology, genetics and metabolism of microorganisms, virology and immunology and enzymology with an emphasis on protein dynamics and folding, as well as cytochrome P-450s.

Program faculty are drawn from several departments at Kent State University, University of Akron, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Additional participant faculty are located at area clinical facilities and hospitals. This multi-departmental and inter-institutional structure gives master's student access to the talents of a broadly diverse research faculty, as well as significant research facilities and resources.

The Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology is offered in consortium with Cleveland Clinic, Northeast Ohio Medical University and the University of Akron

The Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• Cellular Biology and Structure
• Molecular Biology and Genetics

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

• Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
• Seek employment after graduation in fields that reflect their area of training.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition provides students with a broad general education and a strong foundation in nutrition, dietetics and the sciences. The emphasis is integrating theory, research and application of knowledge to the profession of dietetics. The curriculum meets the didactic program in dietetics requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and graduates are eligible for admission to accredited internships. The faculty has expertise in nutritional sciences, exercise science, clinical and community practice and leadership studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and skills necessary to plan and evaluate menus and diets of individuals/groups to promote nutritional health and well-being.
• Demonstrate the ability to use oral and written communication skills effectively in the practice of nutrition and dietetics.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret current research and utilize critical thinking skills in the practice of nutrition and dietetics.
• Apply acquired knowledge and skills to enroll in a supervised practice program, advanced/professional study or employment.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree in General Business is for students who desire a holistic understanding of all business areas rather than a specialized area of business, i.e., accounting, business management, computer information systems, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, managerial marketing and marketing.

The Master of Science degree in Data Science provides a focus on developing scientists who will understand the theories, methods and tools of data science and apply data science to solving research and workplace questions in the natural, health and social sciences for businesses and industries.

Data science is an emerging STEM discipline founded on the principles of mathematics and the sciences and developed through a synthesis of mathematics and computer science. One may think of data science as a blending together of methods and ideas from analysis, statistics, databases, big data, artificial intelligence, numerical analysis, graph theory and visualization for the purposes of finding information in data and applying that information to solving real-world problems.

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

• Ask the questions so that problems in a particular business or industrial situation become clear.
• Determine if the problem may be addressed with data science methods and tools, and if yes, propose potential methods for solving the problems.
• Make suggestions for how data science may be used to enhance the quality and value of currently existing products (whether the products are physical or methods) and how data science may be used in the development of new products.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in accounting theory and practice necessary for entry-level accounting positions and career advancement. It encompasses a common body of concepts, conventions, principles and theories essential to the professional competency of the certified public accountant, controller, industrial accountant, institutional accountant and governmental accountant.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Given a defined financial accounting transaction, identify and analyze the issue, record the transaction in the books of original entry, and prepare the financial statement disclosure.
• Demonstrate an understanding of managerial and cost accounting with the ability to identify and analyze information useful in decision making.
• Gain a functional understanding of taxation of individuals.
• Understand financial statement auditing.
• Assemble, cleanse and analyze the information provided by information systems, and prepare summary reports useful for business decision-making.

Graduates of all Bachelor of Business Administration programs will be able to:

• Recall strategic frameworks that are used to make business decisions.
• Perform basic calculations using quantitative tools that are used to support business decisions.
• Articulate and deliberate their ideas in writing.
• Articulate and deliberate their ideas orally.
• Identify ethical dilemmas and stakeholders.
• Recommend alternatives and consequences and choose a reasoned conclusion from the alternatives given.
• Identify global factors in making a business decision.
• Analyze global factors in making a business decision.