Master of Education in Cultural Foundations

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History provides students with a substantive and comprehensive foundation of knowledge and an understanding of the major achievements in the history of art. It fosters visual analytical skills, critical thinking, creative problem-solving and research development and writing competencies, which prepare students for further graduate study as well as lifelong appreciation of and advocacy for the arts.

Study Abroad/Study Away Opportunities:

• Travel to: New York, Washington DC, London and Paris, and China
• Study Abroad in Florence, Italy; Semester in Italy or the Florence Summer Institute

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology prepares graduates  for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of the natural sciences is useful or critical for success. Geology can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing. The curriculum includes courses concerning minerals, rocks, fossils and field mapping, among others. These courses are supplemented by courses such as introductory chemistry, biology and mathematics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand and communicate to others the nature of scientific investigation and evidence.
• Understand and communicate to the others the complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and the lithosphere through geologic time.
• Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
• Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and be able to work as a geologist in the field and in the laboratory.

The Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree provides maximum freedom for students who wish to take a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to the design of an educational program while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals. The Integrative Studies major has a General concentration, and a Two Minors concentration. These concentrations may have the most appeal for students near the end of their academic careers (senior-level students) who are re-evaluating their academic and career choices. It is a program in which the student undertakes the responsibility for the research and design of their program, in consultation with an advisor.

The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from interrelated programs that support their career aspirations.

The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. A minimum of two academic departments in which to select courses are chosen and a rationale for the ways in which these courses support the student's career goals is developed.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology teaches design, operation, installation, maintenance and analysis of machinery. The program prepares students to become highly technical professionals in current and emerging fields using mechanical and computer-aided engineering. Students learn to develop innovative solutions to problems encountered in manufacturing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Use the techniques, skill and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
• Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
• Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics emphasizes the tools most useful in science, engineering and technology applications: mathematical modeling, scientific computing and probability and statistics.

The Applied Mathematics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Financial Mathematics concentration prepares students for graduate programs in mathematical or computational finance or financial engineering.

The Master of Arts in Economics degree provides prepares graduates for a career as an analyst in government or the private sector, as well as for doctoral study.

The Economics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Financial Economics concentration is primarily designed for students who wish to pursue careers in the financial services industry, including commercial banking, investment banking, insurance, real estate and financial advising.

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

• Understand and apply fundamental economic concepts.
• Formulate and test hypotheses.
• Access and use appropriate information.
• Demonstrate analytic and quantitative skills.

The Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory. Students are exposed to the latest research findings regarding how people learn most effectively and efficiently. They also apply these principles to the design of instruction, and study how to most accurately assess different types of learning.

The M.A. degree program is appropriate for classroom teachers, professionals in a variety of settings and students wishing to pursue doctoral-level training in educational psychology.

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

• Describe the various schools of learning theory that have informed educators.
• Conduct literature reviews and design empirical research to examine issues associated with how individuals learn.
• Apply principles of human development and learning when developing and selecting educational approaches.
• Identify best practices for maximizing student learning.
• Systematically design effective instructional programs to meet the academic needs of learners.
• Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation.
• Describe social learning principles and their application to instructional practice.
• Evaluate teaching and learning practices with a variety of types of assessments.
• Competently evaluate educational programs and approaches.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics comprises core areas in algebra (number systems, equations, discrete structures), analysis (functions, limits, continuous processes), geometry (space, shape, form) and associated generalizations and abstractions.

The B.S. degree program is recommended for students interested in a flexible option of careers or graduate study in mathematics. Coupled with the Education minor, the program can lead to Ohio teacher licensure.

Students may apply early to the M.S.in Pure Mathematics program and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Reason in mathematical arguments at a level appropriate to the discipline, including using precise definitions, articulating assumptions and reasoning logically to conclusions.
• Engage effectively in problem solving, including exploring examples, devising and testing conjectures and assessing the correctness of solutions.
• Approach mathematical problems creatively, including trying multiple approaches and modifying problems when necessary to make them more tractable.
• Communicate mathematics clearly both orally and in writing.
• Understand and appreciate connections among different subdisciplines of mathematics.
• Understand and appreciate connections between mathematics and other disciplines.
• Be aware of and understand a broad range of mathematical subdisciplines.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science seeks to prepare students to have successful careers as computing professionals, with a solid understanding of software development and computer systems and the foundation for life-long learning in the field; to have an academic foundation suitable for graduate study in computer science or related areas; to be able to function effectively on software development teams, with oral and written communication skills. and with an understanding of professional ethics and responsibility.

Graduates of the B.S. degree in Computer Science have careers in developing, managing and building software in a variety of industries, including finance, health care, entertainment, telecommunications and manufacturing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following as top occupation choices for Computer Science majors: computer network architect; software developer; information security analyst; database administrator; computer systems analyst; computer programmer; and network and computer systems administrator.

The Computer Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Data Engineering concentration prepares students to perform the data analysis and modeling needed by organizations and to process structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data using statistical and semantic analysis techniques to meet their employers’ needs.
• The Game Programming concentration provides students with a solid understanding of the algorithms, techniques and software used to construct interactive virtual environments. Students work in teams with content specialists and artists to develop the teamwork skills required in this multidisciplinary field, which includes a range of opportunities, from the game industry to education to training design.
• The Information Security concentration prepares students to meet the security needs of industry and government through coursework that provides a thorough understanding of security, privacy and cryptographic techniques and protocols used in computing and communication.
• The Robotics and Embedded Systems concentration prepares students to work with devices that combine hardware and software. Such devices include robots and most high tech mechanical devices like cars, planes, farm equipment and construction equipment.

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; 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).

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products, and services
• Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
• 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.
• Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
• Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
• Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.