Kent State University is dropping 19 undergraduate degree programs with low enrollment to comply with Ohio Senate Bill 1.
Under a law that took effect in June, state colleges are now “required to drop any bachelor’s degree program it offers if the institution awards fewer than five degrees in the program annually during any three-year period,” according to Kent State officials.
On Dec. 11, Kent State University’s Board of Trustees agreed to eliminate the program with the last enrollment this fall. All currently enrolled students are receiving individualized advising and learning plans to ensure timely degree completion.
Degree programs effective fall of 2026 include:
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Africa studies major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Chemistry major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Classics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Major within Community Health Education Bachelor of Science degree.
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Dance and Dance Studies majors within the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
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Economics majors within both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Education degrees.
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French major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Horticulture major within the Bachelor of Applied Horticulture degree, and Horticulture Technology major within the Associate of Applied Science degree.
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Life Science major and Life Science/Chemistry major within the Bachelor of Science education degree.
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Mathematics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Physics major within the Bachelor of Science Education degree.
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Physics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Radiologic Technology major within the Associate of Technical Studies degree.
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Major in respiratory care within the Bachelor of Science degree.
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Major in School Health Education within the Bachelor of Science Education degree.
Kent State will continue to offer related degrees or credentials in several fields under various 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 the field of study.
For chemistry, mathematics, physics and radiologic technology, the university will maintain other degree options at the associate or bachelor’s degree level.
For African studies, classics, dance, earth sciences, French and horticulture, the university will continue to offer graduate minors or certificates.
Kent State will also maintain teacher education graduate degree programs in science and health fields similar to inactive programs.
The board 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 lease and health center services agreement with NEOMED Clinical Services, establishing a collaborative arrangement 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 contract begins on July 1, 2026, with the option of two one-year renewals. NEOMED will provide all staff for health center services and will work collaboratively with Kent State’s Division of People, Culture and Relations to offer retention to qualified staff.
In addition, the board approved the student health fee effective 2026. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students will be assessed $90 per semester, while part-time students will pay $35 per semester.
The fee excludes College Credit Plus students, students enrolled in fully online programs, dissertation students and students enrolled in the College of Podiatric Medicine.
The Board approved a 6-year comprehensive capital plan for 2027-32
In other business, the board approved a comprehensive six-year capital plan for fiscal year 2027-32, identifying the most important campus upgrade projects for the institution.
The plan includes projects funded primarily from state capital allocations and does not list projects funded solely from local funds or philanthropy.
The Ohio Office of Budget and Management requires each state college to submit a six-year capital plan.
Projects in the first two years of the plan include:
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The third phase of White Hall renovations on the Kent campus will replace aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment on the remaining floors and make planned classroom and interior building improvements.
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Tower renovation at the University Library on the Kent campus.
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Continued critical deferred maintenance of aging infrastructure on the Kent campus.
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Increased information technology network access to academic buildings on the Kent campus.
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Phase two of Purinton Hall classroom renovations at the East Liverpool campus.
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Main classroom building HVAC replacement on Salem campus.
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Phase II of Central Chiller Plant Replacement at Stark Campus.
This article originally appeared in the Record-Courier: Kent State will eliminate 19 undergraduate programs in fall 2026.
