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Information For Graduate Students

We know that graduate students need assistance along their academic path, which is why your graduate coordinator is here to provide assistance.

Graduate Coordinators:

School of Art

Andrew Kuebeck
330-672-2910
akuebeck@kent.edu

School of Fashion

Dr. J. Kim Vick
330-672-1473
MFIS@kent.edu

School of Music

Dr. Matthew Holm
330-672-2522
mholm2@kent.edu

 
School of Theatre and Dance

Michelle Hunt Souza
330-672-2082
msouza@kent.edu

Your Graduate Coordinator’s Role:

Please contact the graduate coordinator in the appropriate school to assist with any questions regarding the application process or the following tasks:

  • Apply for graduation
  • File a thesis or dissertation
  • Undertake a change of registration
  • Request a time extension for a graduate degree
  • Request transient credit approval
  • Verify coursework for combined undergraduate/graduate degrees
  • Deal with other concerns that their faculty advisor may be unable to address

Thesis Style Guide

For more information and to download the College of the Arts Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide, please click the link below.

Thesis Style Guide


Thesis and Dissertation Forms:

School of Art:

School of Art: 

School of Fashion:

School of Fashion:

School of Music: 

School of Music: 

School of Music:

School of Music: 

Instructions:

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Topic Approval Form Instructions

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Topic Approval Form Instructions

  1. Start here /artscollege/information-graduate-students​
  2. Click on the link to the appropriate form
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  3. Fill in the names and email addresses of your Thesis/Dissertation committee members and Advisor/Director. Make sure that you use the correct kent.edu email when entering your committee members.

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    There will be an opportunity to add additional committee members and a Co-Advisor or Co-Director on the next page. Click Continue.

  4. Enter the Date of your Final Exam
  5. Enter your Major Program
  6. Enter the Term
  7. Enter the Title of Proposed Thesis/Dissertation
  8. Attach Abstract file
  9. Indicate if you used human subjects and the date of IRB approvalA screenshot of a formDescription automatically generated
  10. Add a third and fourth committee member if needed. Add a Co-Advisor or Co-Director if needed.
  11. Click Next
  12. Click Next again on the next page, nothing needs to be filled here.A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated

     

  13. E-Sign the form and you will be to view PDF

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COTA Thesis and Dissertation Final Defense Form Instructions

COTA Thesis and Dissertation Final Defense Form Instructions

  1. Start here /artscollege/information-graduate-students
  2. Click on the link to the appropriate form (topic approval or final defense. A white text with blue and black text

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  3. Fill in the names and email addresses of your Thesis/Dissertation Moderator, Committee members, Faculty Rep, and Advisor/Director.  Make sure that you use the correct kent.edu email when entering your committee members.
    A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generatedThere will be an opportunity to add additional committee members and a Co-Advisor or Co-Director on the next page. Click Continue.
  4. Enter your Major Program
  5. Choose the Term
  6. Enter the Exact Title of Thesis/DissertationA screen shot of a computer

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  7. Add a third and/or fourth committee member if needed. Add a Co-Advisor or Co-Director if needed.A screenshot of a form

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  8. Click Next
  9. E-Sign the form and you will be to view a PDF          
Graduate Form Faculty Instructions

Graduate Form Faculty Instructions

  1. When the student initiates the form, they list their committee members and their Advisor/co-advisor.  The Graduate Coordinator, School Director, and Associate Dean are already coded into the form and will go to them automatically. 
  2. You will receive an email from donotreply@kent.edu.  Open it and click on the link to complete your section of the form.
  3. Scroll down the document until you see an option to (click to sign).A screenshot of a paperDescription automatically generated
  4. Enter your name exactly as it appears here.
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  5. You will see your signature on the form. Click Next.
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  6. No information needs to be entered on the next page click. Click Submit Form. A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated
  7. The form will now go to the next person listed on the form. If you serve more than one role you will be asked to sign more than once and will get the email more than once.

Important Dates for Graduate Students:

2025 Dates

Graduation Application Deadlines for Graduate Students

TermGraduationBegin Submitting ApplicationsDeadline for Submitting Applications
Fall 2025December GraduationMarch 1, 2025Aug. 22, 2025
Spring 2026May GraduationOct. 1, 2025Jan. 16, 2026
Fall 2026December GraduationMarch 1, 2026Aug. 28, 2026
Spring 2027May GraduationOct. 1, 2026Jan. 22, 2027

If you are a graduate student seeking a graduate degree or a graduate certificate, you must file an application for the graduation term below by the deadline listed.

 Application for Graduation Deadlines

 

Thesis & Dissertation Oral Exam College Document Filing Deadlines

(School Deadlines may not exceed College Deadlines)

Fall 2025

Fall Semester 2025 Calendar of Important Dates

Aug. 22nd 
Deadline for Master's and Doctoral Degree and Graduate Certificate Candidates to Apply for December Graduation

December 5th
Deadline for PhD Clearance. This requires that all IP grades for Dissertation be changed to S by December 5thfor the

student to be cleared to graduate.

December 7th
Final Date for Oral Examination for Master’s Degree Candidates for December Graduation

December 12th
Deadline for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation to be Filed in the College, and uploaded to Ohiolink for December Graduation. 

December 12th

Advanced Degree Commencement

December 15th
All IP grades for Thesis I & II changed to S grades by faculty grade change workflow. 

*University Dates may differ from College of the Arts dates.

 

Spring 2026

Spring Semester 2026 Calendar of Important Dates

January 16th
Deadline for Masters and Doctoral Degree and Graduate Certificate Candidates to Apply for May Graduation

May 1st
Deadline for Doctoral Dissertation Degree Clearance. This requires that all IP grades for Dissertation be changed to S by  December 5th for the student to be cleared to graduate.

May 3rd
Final Date for Oral Examination for Master’s Degree Candidates for May Graduation

May 9th
Deadline for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation to be Filed in the College, and uploaded to Ohiolink for December Graduation. 

May 9th
Advanced Degree Commencement – Dates are subject to change; determined by Commencement

May 11th

All IP grades for Thesis I & II changed to S grades by faculty grade change workflow.

*University Dates may differ from College of Arts dates. 

Leave of Absence Return Plan:  

College of the Arts Graduate Students that have applied for a must also submit a form. University Policy 3-01.12 sets out the eligibility, implementation, and procedures for Graduate Leave of Absence and Re-enrollment. It is highly recommended that students read this policy before initiating the request for Leave of Absence.


About The Graduate College at Kent State:

Although you are enrolled or enrolling in a graduate program in the College of the Arts, Âé¶¹¾«Ñ¡also is home to our Graduate College. Consider it a resource to help you with critical portions of this next step in your academic career. It can help by preparing students like you for scholarly, research and professional careers. 

Visit the Graduate College Website