The College of Arts and Sciences offers certain options within general fields of study; these fields of study can also include programs in other colleges. Some of these options are offered through regular majors, while others are programs outside the scope of a major.

Computer Science/Information Systems Programs
Students interested in careers in computer science and information systems have several options at Kent State University. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, they may pursue the B.S. degree in computer science offered by the Department of Computer Science. This program is described above in the Bachelor of Science section.

In the College of Business Administration, students may pursue a degree in information systems. This program is offered through the Department of Management and Information Systems; it is described in the Business Administration section of this Catalog.

For further information about any of these computer science options, students should consult the Departments of Computer Science and Management and Information Systems, respectively.

Health-Related Programs
Kent State University has particularly strong programs in areas related to health. In the College of Arts and Sciences, programs in
pre-medicine/pre-osteopathy, pre-veterinary medicine, pre-pharmacy and pre-dentistry are offered. These programs must be taken in conjunction with a primary major or field of concentration. These programs are intended to provide specific preparation for advanced professional training in medicine and health science fields. They also can be used, however, as general background for other areas of work related to health.

In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a Three-Plus-One program in medical technology. This program, which combines three years of study at Kent State University with a year of clinical study in an area hospital, is intended to prepare students for direct entry into careers in medical technology. This program is described under Three-Plus-One program.

The College of Arts and Sciences, in cooperation with the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, also offers a six-year program leading to the combined degrees of B.S. in integrated life sciences and Doctor of Medicine (B.S./M.D.). Further information about this program is given above under Integrated Life Sciences Six-Year Medical Program.

Students interested in careers related to health also should consider programs offered elsewhere in the university and described in other sections of this Catalog. The College of Nursing offers a program leading to a B.S. in nursing, and several of the Regional Campuses offer two-year programs leading to the degree of Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. In addition, programs in community health education and community health are offered through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.

Students interested in any of the health-related programs offered through the College of Arts and Sciences may obtain further information about those programs from the office of the College of Arts and Sciences, 105 Bowman Hall. Information about programs in nursing and health education may be obtained from the Colleges of Nursing and Education, respectively.

Teaching Programs
Students with an interest in college or university teaching as a career should prepare for several years of postgraduate study leading to the Ph.D. In the physical sciences, the biological sciences and mathematical sciences, the B.S. degree generally is considered appropriate for students who wish to enter Ph.D. programs. However, superior students with the B.A. degree also may be admitted to such science and math programs. In other areas, the B.A. is the usual degree required for admission to a Ph.D. program. A Bachelor of General Studies may also be acceptable for admission to graduate studies if it includes a significant focus in the appropriate discipline or in related fields. Students interested in pursuing graduate work should seek extensive and detailed advice from faculty members in the field they are considering.

Students who want to teach in one of the traditional disciplines on the high school level may choose either of two routes toward that goal. They may pursue a degree through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, with a major in the chosen teaching field. Alternatively, for certain fields, they may pursue a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in the desired teaching field, and at the same time complete a minor in education. Satisfactory completion of the arts and sciences degree, along with the minor in education, will lead to certification for high school teaching in the state of Ohio. Further information about this program is contained above in the section Minors in Other Colleges. Students interested in pursuing a degree in arts and sciences with a minor in education should seek early advice from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Students should note College of Education, Health, and Human Services GPA requirements.

Nonmajor Preprofessional Advising Programs
The College of Arts and Sciences provides advising programs for students preparing for professional training elsewhere. These advising programs are of two sorts: the first is intended for students who wish to pursue a professional undergraduate program, and the second is intended for those who wish to pursue professional study on the graduate level.

Advising programs for students preparing for undergraduate professional study are available in pre-engineering and pre-pharmacy. Information on the pre-pharmacy program can be found in a different section of this catalog. These programs are designed for students who wish to take one or two years of coursework at Kent State University before transferring to another institution with specialized undergraduate programs not available here.

Students preparing for graduate professional study in law or library science also are advised through nonmajor advising programs. These advising programs will help students make the appropriate choice of courses and prepare for professional study.

Pre-Engineering
(Byron Anderson, Advisor, Department of Physics)
Students who wish to prepare for a career in engineering may begin their studies at Kent State University. They should, however, be thoroughly acquainted with the admission requirements of the schools of engineering to which they plan to apply. Curriculum information may be obtained from the pre-engineering advisor in the Department of Physics, the pre-engineering Web site (http://phys.kent.edu/pre-eng/) or from the college office.

Pre-Library Science
(Rhonda S. Filipan, Academic Program Coordinator, School of Library and Information Science)
Students seeking admission to a master’s program in library science accredited by the American Library Association should have a broad, general undergraduate education, including courses in humanities, sciences and social sciences. Employment opportunities are enhanced for those with competency in one or more of the following areas: foreign languages, computer science, mathematics or statistics, or business administration. Teaching certification is required for those desiring to become school media specialists (school librarians) and subject master’s degrees are valuable for academic or special library employment.

Although library/information schools may vary in admission requirements, emphasis usually is placed on overall GPAs and Graduate Record Examination scores. Detailed information on specific preparatory coursework may be obtained from the School of Library and Information Science, 314 University Library.