Kent State knocks out 19 majors. See which degree programs are affected

Kent State knocks out 19 majors. See which degree programs are affected

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Kent State University is dropping 19 undergraduate programs with low enrollment to comply with Ohio Senate Bill 1.

Under the law, which took effect in June, state colleges are now required to “eliminate any degree program it offers if the institution confers an average of less than five degrees in the program annually over any three-year period,” according to Kent State officials.

On Dec. 11, the Kent State University Board of Trustees agreed to eliminate the programs, with this fall being the final admission. All currently enrolled students receive individualized counseling and teaching plans to ensure timely degree completion.

Degree programs dropped in Fall 2026 include:

  • Majoring in African Studies within the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Chemistry major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Classics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Specialization in Community Health Education within the undergraduate degree.

  • Dance and Dance Studies specializations within the Bachelor of Fine Arts.

  • Earth Science majors in both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees.

  • Majoring in French within the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • The Horticulture specialization within the bachelor’s degree in applied horticulture and the Horticulture Technology specialization within the Associate in Applied Sciences degree.

  • Life Science major and Life Science/Chemistry major in Bachelor of Education degrees.

  • Mathematics specialization within the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Specialization in Physical Sciences within the bachelor’s degree in science education.

  • Majoring in Physics as part of the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Radiological Technology specialization within the Associate of Technical Studies degree.

  • Specialization in respiratory care within the bachelor’s degree.

  • School Health Education specialization within the bachelor’s degree in science education.

Kent State will continue to offer degrees or similar credentials in multiple fields under different program titles, according to university officials. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics will sunset, but the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics continues to serve students in that field of study.

For Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Radiological Technology, the university will maintain other degree options at the associate or bachelor’s level.

For African Studies, Classics, Dance, Earth Sciences, French and Horticulture, the university will continue to offer minors or undergraduate certificates.

Kent State will also maintain bachelor’s degree programs in health and science that align with the inactive programs.

The Council approves the partnership with NEOMED

The board also approved a strategic partnership with NEOMED Clinical Services LLC to take over Kent State’s student health services.

The board authorized the university to enter into a health center lease and services agreement with NEOMED Clinical Services, establishing a collaborative agreement to provide comprehensive clinical care and preventive services on campus.

NEOMED occupies approximately 10,500 square feet of space on the lower floor of the DeWeese Health Center to provide expanded clinical services, health education and outreach programs.

The three-year agreement begins on July 1, 2026, with the option for two one-year renewals. NEOMED will provide all staffing for health center services and work cooperatively with Kent State’s Division of People, Culture and Belonging to provide retention of qualified employees.

Additionally, the board approved a student health fee effective fall 2026. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students will be assessed $90 per semester, while part-time students will pay $35 per semester.

Fee excludes College Credit Plus students, students enrolled in fully online programs, dissertation students, and students enrolled in the College of Podiatric Medicine.

Council approves a comprehensive 6-year capital plan for 2027-2032

In other business, the board approved a comprehensive six-year capital plan for fiscal years 2027-32, identifying the campus upgrade projects that are most important to the institution.

The plan primarily includes projects funded by state capital appropriations and does not list projects funded solely by local funding or philanthropy.

The Ohio Office of Budget and Management requires each state college to submit a six-year capital plan.

Projects for the first two years of the plan include:

  • The third phase of the Kent Campus White Hall renovation will replace aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment on the remaining floors, along with planned classroom and interior building improvements.

  • Refurbishment of the tower in the University Library on the Kent campus.

  • Continued deferred critical maintenance of aging infrastructure at the Kent campus.

  • Improving access to the information technology network in academic buildings on the Kent campus.

  • The second phase of the Purinton Hall classroom renovation at the East Liverpool campus.

  • Salem Campus Main Classroom Building HVAC Replacement.

  • The second phase of the cooling plant replacement at the Stark campus.

This article originally appeared on the Record-Courier: Kent State to eliminate 19 undergraduate programs in fall 2026

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