Master of Arts in Visual Communication Design

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Science degree in Botany focuses on the scientific study of plants, and the understanding of how plants provide aesthetic beauty, as well as materials for the basic needs, including food, shelter and oxygen. Botanical research has diverse applications in modern horticulture, agriculture, soil science and forestry, in addition to pharmacology and biotechnology.

Many students continue their education in graduate or professional programs. Those opting to enter directly into the workforce find jobs in fields related to the economic importance of plants, including agriculturally-based and related professions, environmental consulting or in federal, state or local agencies. The Department of Biological Sciences offers several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand fundamental biological principles.
• Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
• Conduct proper experimental design, analyze biological data and communicate research results.
• Know and appreciate the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics, human health and disease.

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design and Technology is a terminal degree designed for those who are interested in achieving the artistry and skills necessary to qualify as practicing professionals in the entertainment industry and/or professional theatre educators. The program is a three-year course of study with a flexible curriculum for students to explore areas of special interest.

The Theatre Design and Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Technical Direction concentration provides students with training and practical experiences in planning main stage productions for the School of Theatre and Dance. Studies focus on safety and all logistics of production assembly, including touring and dance. Technical directors have the opportunity work in four very different theatre spaces: black box, large proscenium, thrust and open outdoor.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Acquire creative and technical ability to develop the design of a production from concept to finished product.
• Acquire advanced abilities in the unification of all design elements used in professional production.
• Understand analytical or academically oriented theatre studies in areas related to and supportive of the work in the major field such as history, theory, dramatic literature and performance studies.
• Understand information resources associated with theatrical design and production.
• Produce full working drawings for mounted productions.
• Analyze text, music and dance and the ways that historical, critical and theoretical content inform playwriting, acting, directing and design.
• Communicate ideas clearly and effectively to the theatre community, production teams and the public.
• Know the history of their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate that history into production design.
• Know current technology, tools and methods in their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate technology into production design.
• Know health and safety practices associated with theatre production.
• Communicate and navigate effectively within the field of professional theatrical production design.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and practice.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Middle Childhood Education prepares students for teacher licensure in selected subject areas, plus reading, for grades four to nine. In addition to content coursework and a substantial amount of field experiences, the Middle Childhood Education major includes intensive pedagogy courses that prepare students to understand the unique social, physical, cognitive and emotional needs of the young adolescent; these courses are taken as a cohort. Student teaching occurs during the final semester of the program.

Students choose two concentrations from the following:

    The Language Arts concentration includes courses in communication, grammar, literature, reading and writing.
    The Mathematics concentration includes courses in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry and statistics.
    The Science concentration includes diverse courses in chemistry, biology, geology and physics.
    The Social Studies concentration includes diverse courses in economics, history, political science and geography.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to work collaboratively with diverse others.
• Demonstrate content knowledge in two licensure specialization areas.
• Demonstrate in-depth instructional and planning skills to effectively meet the needs of all their students.

The Master of Education degree in Health Education and Promotion is designed to enable individuals to pursue their diverse interests in the field while addressing the competencies essential to the professional development of health educators

Students in the program utilize theoretical models of attitude and behavioral change in assessing educational needs, designing educational interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of program efforts, and advocating for creative and competent health education opportunities. These skills prepare graduates for various employment positions in local, state and national government; K-12 schools and community colleges; health care facilities; worksite wellness programs; and nonprofit organizations.

The Health Education and Promotion major comprises the following concentration:

• The School Health Licensure concentration enables graduates to teach health in schools or pursue diverse interests in the field. Competencies essential to school health education are addressed. Students in the concentration can pursue an additional Ohio teaching license that requires students to already have an initial teaching license.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture enables students to learn, develop and apply knowledge that contributes to the betterment of the built environment. The balanced curriculum of technology, visualization, history, theory and design studio coursework offers a platform for research, constructive discourse and debate.

Northeast Ohio's rich history and dynamic urban landscape serve as a setting for academic learning. By placing equal emphasis on the art and science of architectural design, the curriculum inspires experimentation, collaboration, discovery, critical thinking and innovation in a studio context of project-based learning. The program fosters academic excellence and prepares students to become leaders in the architecture field.

The college offers full-semester programs abroad for qualified third-year students. The study abroad program is housed in the heart of historic Florence, Italy. The program is open to all students who have made satisfactory progress toward completion of their undergraduate program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles of two and three-dimensional form and space making.
• Demonstrate comprehensive design studio experiences through which graduates apply an understanding of the integration of building design, site design, assemblies, structure, environmental systems and building code requirements.
• Demonstrate an understanding of building systems and their integration for human comfort, including lighting, heating ventilation and acoustics.

The Master of Arts degree in Political Science focuses broadly on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students delve into the scholarship on these dynamics (among others) in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way, thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:

• American Politics and Policy
• Conflict Analysis and Management
• Transnational and Comparative Politics

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
• Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
• Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics emphasizes the tools most useful in science, engineering and technology applications: mathematical modeling, scientific computing and probability and statistics.

The Applied Mathematics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Computational Mathematics concentration is designed for students with interests in numerical modeling and scientific computing. It pairs well with the Computer Science minor or major.

The Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory. Students are exposed to the latest research findings regarding how people learn most effectively and efficiently. They also apply these principles to the design of instruction, and study how to most accurately assess different types of learning.

The M.A. degree program is appropriate for classroom teachers, professionals in a variety of settings and students wishing to pursue doctoral-level training in educational psychology.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Describe the various schools of learning theory that have informed educators.
• Conduct literature reviews and design empirical research to examine issues associated with how individuals learn.
• Apply principles of human development and learning when developing and selecting educational approaches.
• Identify best practices for maximizing student learning.
• Systematically design effective instructional programs to meet the academic needs of learners.
• Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation.
• Describe social learning principles and their application to instructional practice.
• Evaluate teaching and learning practices with a variety of types of assessments.
• Competently evaluate educational programs and approaches.

The Bachelor of Applied Horticulture degree provides students with the academic background and learning environment to further their education beyond an associate degree. The program aids students in the development of managerial expertise in areas of landscape design, turfgrass management and urban forestry, as well as landscape design, golf courses, sports turf management, arboriculture, environmental sustainability, plant propagation and greenhouse and nursery operations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of plant characteristics, use, identification, and taxonomy.
• Develop knowledge of the proper safety procedures and their application in the workplace.
• Develop proper business protocol and specific horticulture concentration applications in the work place.
• Interpret soil test results, analyze and determine the best corrective course of action.
• Demonstrate knowledge of pest identification, taxonomy, integrated pest management, and control strategies .

The Master of Science degree in Mechatronics Engineering provides an advanced theoretical and/or research-oriented curriculum with significant depth in mechatronics-related discipline, beyond the general fundamentals of the engineering bachelor's degree.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work.
• Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of mechatronics engineering.
• Communicate problems and solutions in mechatronics engineering clearly, both verbally and in writing.