The academic division of Kent State is under the direction of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The university’s commitment to excellence in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, application and integration and in university citizenship is fulfilled by a vigorous and first-rate faculty. These scholars hold positions in 39 academic administrative areas, teach courses in approximately 130 subject areas, and hold degrees from more than 300 institutions in the United States and many foreign countries. Kent State University has an active chapter of America’s oldest and most prestigious academic honorary society—Phi Beta Kappa. The chapter was authorized when the society celebrated its 200th anniversary in December 1976. Conferral of a chapter is based primarily on the quality of the undergraduate liberal arts programs at a college or university.

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design includes programs in architecture, interior design and urban design; it offers programs leading to the degrees Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design—Professional and Post Professional. The college also directs the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative which houses the Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohio and the college’s graduate program in urban design.

The College of the Arts comprises four schools: Art, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Music, and Theatre and Dance. Linked by elements of creativity and professionalism within their disciplines, these programs lead to the degrees Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Music, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The College of the Arts also directs the programs of the Kent/Blossom Arts Festivals, which—through the joint cooperation of The Cleveland Orchestra, the Blossom Festival Society and Kent State University—combine academic and professional experiences in the visual and performing arts.

The College of Arts and Sciences is composed of 17 departments of instruction and a wide range of interdisciplinary programs; it offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of General Studies, Master of Arts, Master of Liberal Studies, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.

The College of Business Administration has five departments and offers 13 separate programs of instruction which lead to the degrees of Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Economics, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Science in Accounting and Doctor of Philosophy.

The College of Communication and Information consists of the following four schools: Communication Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Library and Information Science and Visual Communication Design. The college links programs with a pedagogical and research interest in new technology for information and communication uses, distribution and content. The college awards the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.

The College of Education, Health and Human Services consists of four schools—Foundations, Leadership and Administration, Health Sciences, Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, and Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Services. The college offers 27 distinctive programs that lead to the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Audiology and Doctor of Philosophy. Students enrolled in certain programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of the Arts may minor in education to seek teaching licensure. The college recommends state licensure of qualified university graduates to teach in Ohio schools.

The Honors College draws upon the pedagogical, research and logistical support of the entire university in providing academically enriched and flexible programs for bright and motivated university students. The Honors College also administers the Liberal Education Requirements program and the Advanced Placement Program for superior high school students. The Experimental and Integrative Studies Division of the college offers nontraditional learning and teaching experiences for students and faculty of the entire university community.

University Libraries comprises a library system serving the eight campuses and services to facilitate communication in the learning, research and business activities of Kent State through the effective use of various media formats and technologies.

The College of Nursing offers the baccalaureate and master’s degree in nursing and the Doctor of Philosophy. After completing the required course of study in the arts and sciences and professional nursing, graduates earn the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing and are eligible to apply to take the state licensing examination to become a professional registered nurse. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is approved by the state of Ohio Board of Nursing. Additional study leads to the degree Master of Science in Nursing with clinical focus in acute care, adult and geriatric, family, pediatric, psychiatric mental health and women’s health—nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. The Ph.D. program is available as part of a joint program between Kent State University and The University of Akron.

Kent State University’s Regional Campuses are located in seven northeastern Ohio areas: Ashtabula County, East Liverpool (Columbiana County), Geauga County, Salem (Columbiana County), Stark County, Trumbull County and Tuscarawas County. These campuses offer freshman and sophomore coursework and some selected junior, senior and graduate courses. In addition, they offer continuing education, developmental education and certificate programs. The Regional Campuses award the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees for the completion of 61 specified semester hours. The Associate of Applied Business and Associate of Applied Science degrees are awarded in several programs—including business, computer, engineering and health technologies—for the completion of 65 or more semester hours of specified courses. The Associate of Technical Study (category A) is an individualized degree awarded for the completion of 61 semester hours of specified courses.

The College of Technology offers associate, bachelor's and master’s degrees across Kent State eight-campus network. Focusing on high-technology applications, the curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science in the following areas: aeronautics, industrial technology and technology (including associate degree). The college also offers the degree Master of Technology. The college’s programs are designed to prepare students for careers in emerging technologies involving business, industry, information technology, government and education sections.

Undergraduate Studies exists to enhance students’ potential for achieving academic success at Kent State University. This office has primary responsibility for the academic advising of exploratory (undeclared and undecided) students and for the coordination of advising services with each college of the university. It also has specific responsibility for supporting and accommodating the learning-development needs of students.