Semester System Download to print

The academic year at Kent State University consists of two semesters—fall and spring—each approximately 15 weeks in length. The normal bachelor's degree program is designed to be completed in four academic years, or eight semesters. The normal associate degree is designed to be completed in two academic years, or four semesters. In addition, the university conducts four sessions during the summer term: one three-week intercession, two five-week sessions and one eight-week session.

Each credit hour of coursework is called a “semester credit hour,” as distinguished from the quarter system used at some other universities and colleges. An academic year under the quarter system consists of three 10-week quarters, and one credit hour of coursework is called a “quarter credit hour.”

One quarter credit hour of coursework is equivalent to two-thirds of a semester credit hour (1 quarter credit hour = 0.67 semester credit); one semester credit hour is equivalent to one and one-half quarter credit hours (1 semester credit = 1.50 quarter hours). A transfer student with a number of quarter credit hours should multiply that number by two-thirds to determine the equivalent semester credit hours at Kent State University. For example, a student with 48 quarter credit hours would receive 32 semester credit hours of transfer credit, providing the previous work meets university academic standards.