Exploratory Program

The Exploratory pre-major affords a tremendous opportunity for students explore, engage and succeed with purpose—confidently declaring their major. . Students benefit from the guidance, advising and support offered in the Exploratory Program. Beginning in a student's first semester, academic advisors partner with students through their exploration process with a personalized Exploratory Plan.

The Exploratory pre-major does not lead to a degree. Students must declare a degree major by the time they have earned 45 credit hours at Kent State University.

The Exploratory pre-major comprises the following interest areas.

• Aeronautics, Applied Engineering and Technology. Are you curious about how things work? Are you a great problem solver, have a flare for detail and organizing and an interest in green technologies that can improve the quality of life for people? Maybe you enjoy using technology to get things done or to solve problems when they arise, or you spend time playing flight simulation video games. If so, you might wish to consider careers in aviation, emerging technologies, production or manufacturing and sustainability.
• Biological Sciences, Health and Wellness. Are you committed to improving the health and well-being of others? Do you like to study human behavior or want to pursue a career in nursing, nutrition, speech pathology and audiology, counseling or other health-related fields? You may want to consider a major in the area of biological sciences, health and wellness where you will learn to use the knowledge and techniques of biological and biomedical science as well as the knowledge of the helping professions to promote the maintenance of health and the prevention of illness.
• Business. Are you a problem solver and good communicator? Do you like to think strategically and lead others? You may find that a major in the area of business is right for you. Learn to analyze business problems through the development of skills in accounting, finance, economics and information systems and gain an understanding of real-world business problems through case studies and simulations.
• Communications, Journalism and Media. If you can imagine yourself writing for a major news organization, producing television shows and movies, providing corporate training and development, designing political or health campaigns, working as a social media manager, creating advertising or public relations campaigns or working as a speech writer for CEOs or political leaders, majors in this field will appeal to you. Opportunities spanning multiple industries await you in TV, radio, film, print or electronic media, corporate communications, international business and diplomacy. Learn different aspects of communication and information theory, research, use and practice while engaging in scholarly investigations and practical applications of the elements and means of creating, managing, using and evaluating messages.
• Computers, Mathematics and Information Sciences. Can you easily solve a Rubik's cube or disentanglement puzzle, figure out logic teasers or optical illusions and decrypt secret message codes? These games of strategy are good indicators that your problem-solving and critical thinking skills could be applied to the study of information and computation, as well as the new area of emerging technologies. Understand the properties, uses and impact of the programs used to implement software and use that understanding to create new programs or improve existing ones.
• Design. Do you enjoy the process of communicating through visual means – using illustration, photography, motion graphics or the Internet to express a concept or solve a problem? Are you intrigued by the use of lights, stage props and sound in theatre and dance productions to create unique environments? Or perhaps the environment you are interested in is one of residential and commercial spaces – the lighting, interior materials and color, signage and graphics or the very structure and form of a building. Are you admired for your sense of fashion and have an ability and interest in designing and constructing your concepts? A wide range of academic programs in design provide students with an opportunity to merge a creative life with a profession and to work individually, collaboratively or within an organization to bring value and beauty to our global community.
• Education and Teaching. Can you envision yourself shaping young minds and preparing them for a successful future? Do those who know you well describe you as nurturing, patient, organized, a multi-tasker good at explaining things and somewhat conventional in your views? If these adjectives resonate with you, then you'll probably find a rewarding career as an educator. For those interested in advanced degrees in schools, schooling, education in non-school settings and leadership positions, there are opportunities to add endorsements, licenses or degrees to strengthen knowledge in teaching, learning, administration and leadership in a variety of disciplines.
• Government, Public Policy and Justice. Are you able to resolve disputes? Are you committed to the pursuit of truth? If you are also a detailed problem solver, articulate communicator, and passionate about righting wrongs, you should explore majors in this area. Study the action, regulatory measures, laws, social service agency engagement, social justice and funding priorities developed by government, agencies or representatives, and use qualitative and quantitative methods to understand and assess their impact.
• Human Services and Social Sciences. Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? As long as you are resourceful, committed, empathic and empowering, you can help to change the world. Start living out your calling by providing a voice for the people who need it most.
• Languages, Literature and Culture. Have you wondered about people and their roots and history? Do you enjoy languages? Study the creation, organization and use of human knowledge, belief and behavior. Investigate how the development of symbolic languages and social learning have impacted shared attitudes, values, goals and practices associated with human institutions, organizations and groups.
• Physical Sciences and the Environment. If you are intrigued by the natural world and its sustainability, you may have happened upon your ideal area of study. You should be highly inquisitive, detail oriented, analytical and adventurous. Or, you may choose to prepare for scientific careers in the fascinating world of physical science, which uses experimental and quantitative methods to study, model and understand natural and physical phenomena.
• Sport, Recreation and Hospitality. Do you want to be in the business of playing? Your competitive, persistent nature will serve you well on the athletic field, as well as in sports management or marketing/promotion. You may also consider the hospitality industry and event planning or community-based park and wellness facilities. The ability to plan activities, motivate and involve participants is critical.
• Visual and Performing Arts. Do you find it exciting to express your ideas and emotions through art, music or dance? Are you intrigued by the process of staging productions? Do you enjoy studying the history of visual and performing arts? If you are disciplined, energetic and drawn to challenging artistic environments that demand your best, then a major in the visual and performing arts could be the right choice for you. Study at the graduate level fosters an exciting intersection between professional training and academic excellence where you are encouraged to create artistic projects that combine theory, history, criticism, pedagogy and interdisciplinary studies.

To assist students in making informed major choices by the time they reach 45 credit hours, all Exploratory students participate in personalized Exploration Plan. There are six main components of the Exploration Plan that students participate. Students will:

1. Select one of 13 areas of interest to begin exploring. This is the first step and will be completed before the student's first semester.
2. Create a Major Action Plan using the results of a career readiness inventory and continuously update the plan until a major is declared.
3. Engage in the First Year Experience course (UC 10097), which will focus on the transition to college and utilizes a curriculum developed specifically for exploratory students, including career exploration, developing an awareness of diverse perspectives, learning about their strengths, interests and much more. 
4. Enroll in Coursework with Peers, providing students with the opportunity to network with fellow peers and create study groups. Some of the courses include Kent Core and introductory courses. 
5. Enroll in Career Navigation in the student's second semester. In this course, students explore themselves, explore careers, make connections and set career-related goals. As a bonus, if students are part of the Exploratory Learning Community, they will take this course with other learning community students. 
6. Participate in the Exploratory Learning Community. The Exploratory Learning Community is designed to assist students in confidently selecting their major with programming focused on exploration of careers and majors, leadership and academic success. Joining the learning community is a great way for students to build connections with their peers and gain access to more support through their career and major exploration. The Exploratory Learning Community is housed in Lake Hall for students living on campus; however, Honors College students living in honors housing and students who commute may also join. 

Each Exploratory student is assigned an academic advisor. The expert academic advisors are focused on partnering with the student. This partnership includes guiding students through their personalized Exploration Plan, keeping them on track to declare their major (and staying on track to graduate as planned), and celebrating their major declaration and graduation. Exploratory academic advisors are housed in the Exploratory Advising Center; students have a minimum of one required meeting with an advisor each semester.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students on the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. The Admissions Office at the Kent Campus may defer the admission of students who do not meet admissions criteria but who demonstrate areas of promise for successful college study. Deferred applicants may begin their college coursework at one of seven regional campuses of Kent State University. For more information on admissions, including additional requirements for some academic programs, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

Freshman Students on the Regional Campuses: Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 48 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education's admission website.

Transfer, Transitioning and Former Students: For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Submitting your English test score

When applying as an undergraduate or graduate student to Kent State, there are a variety of ways to submit your score depending on which type of test you took.

• Students should request that ETS send official TOEFL scores directly to Kent (institution code: 1367).
• An IELTS or PTE report needs to be uploaded as a scanned PDF into our online application system..

All English scores will be verified for authenticity. Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.

Proficiency Waivers

Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for an English language proficiency waiver, meaning you do not need to take a language exam. See our country list and related requirements.

¹ Based on one academic year, two semesters for a full-time international student. Program and special course fees are additional.

² Based on a standard double room and basic board plan. Other room types and board plans at different prices are available.

³ Based on the Student Health Insurance premium for one year. The United States does not have universal health care. For this reason, the university requires all international students to purchase the sponsored student health insurance plan. Under certain criteria, a student may request a waiver of this charge.  Total is based on an estimated cost of the required books/supplies for each term and is subject to change each fall.

All international students are required to pay the $20 per semester International Student Activity Fee.  The fee is assessed each semester to support the delivery of the various programs ISSS provides to its students.

Follow the steps below to become part of the Kent State community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

Submit an Online Application and Fee

Prepare Application Documents to Upload as You Apply

• Passport biographical page.
• English Language Proficiency official results report for IELTS, PTE or MELAB. TOEFL score should be submitted officially through ETS (Institution Code 1367).
• College transcript/detailed marksheets (Certified English translation and original language). 
• College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language). 
• GRE/GMAT or other standardized tests if required (submit official test report through test center).
• Graduate assistantship application (if applicable).
  • Assistantship application.
  • Graduate assistantship applicants may need to meet earlier deadlines. Please check with department for deadlines. 
• Additional documents if required. *Review requirements from individual department or school.
• Financial guarantee (bank statements) that show sufficient funds to cover educational expenses.*
• Kent State University Financial Information Worksheet.*
  • *Financial documents are only required after acceptance. 

Upload All Required Documents to the Online Application System

For faster processing, all the documents should be uploaded in the online application system to complete the application.

Check Your Application Status

Apply for Immigration Documents (I-20)

Transfer Your SEVIS record (If Applicable)

If you are an F-1 student transferring from a school in the United States, please review the Transfer In Guide regarding your SEVIS record transfer. F-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record in order to maintain their F-1 status.

Provide Final and Official Documents After Arrival

For admissions purposes, we accept scanned documents of international credentials and scanned copies of official U.S. transcripts. When an applicant is admitted, his/her final and official transcripts and diploma should be brought to the International Admissions Office for verification. This should be done within the first semester (or the first module for ESL students). Otherwise, the student's account will be put on HOLD.