Navigating Graduation at Kennesaw State University: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements

Graduation is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. At Kennesaw State University (KSU), understanding the graduation requirements is crucial for a smooth and successful completion of your degree. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees at KSU, drawing information directly from the KSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

To be eligible for a baccalaureate degree from Kennesaw State University, students must fulfill several requirements, encompassing general education, major coursework, academic performance, and residency. Meeting the requirement for graduation is the responsibility of the student. It should be noted that program and course requirements and university policies are subject to change without advanced notice. Changes in policy and requirements enacted by the Board of Regents take precedence over existing university policies and requirements. The University will make reasonable efforts to accommodate students affected by such changes but reserves the right. Requirements for graduation can be found in the University Catalog.

General Education Program

The General Education program at KSU provides a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. It complements the in-depth knowledge gained within a student's chosen major. The General Education program has nine learning outcomes for students to achieve over the course of their core curriculum.

The core curriculum consists of 60 semester hours, with a minimum of 42 hours in general education and 18 in major-related courses. The General Education program is divided into several areas:

Area A: Essential Skills (9 Credit Hours)

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- Area A1: Communication Skills (6 Credit Hours): This area includes ENGL 1101 (Composition I) and ENGL 1102 (Composition II). A grade of “C” or better is required for ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102. Prerequisites for ENGL 1101 include ENGL 0099 & READ 0099, if required. Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 with “C” or better is required for ENGL 1102.
- Area A2: Quantitative Skills (3 Credit Hours): Students can choose from MATH 1101 (Introduction to Mathematical Modeling), MATH 1111 (College Algebra), MATH 1112 (College Trigonometry), MATH 1113 (Precalculus), or MATH 1190 (Calculus I). Math requirements depend on major. In general, the Mathematics Advising Placement Test, available at placement.kennesaw.edu, can help students and their assigned advisors to determine which courses are most appropriate to ensure that all prerequisites and major requirements are met. Biology, chemistry, computer science, and secondary science education majors may take MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or MATH 1190 (students who plan to take MATH 1112 may need to take MATH 1111 first). Mathematics and mathematics education majors must take MATH 1190. Business majors may take MATH 1111, MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or MATH 1190. Most other majors also have the additional option to take MATH 1101. Prerequisites: MATH 0098 or MATH 0099, if required. Prerequisite for MATH 1190: a grade of “C” or better in MATH 1112 or MATH 1113; Mathematics Advising Placement Test recommendation of MATH 1190 (see placement.kennesaw.edu); or approval of the Mathematics Department Chair.
Area B: Social Issues (Institutional Option) - (5 Credit Hours)
- Students can choose from a variety of courses that explore social issues from different perspectives, including ANTH 2105 - Social Issues: Perspectives in Anthropology, GEOG 2105 - Social Issues: Perspectives in Geography, PSYC 2105 - Social Issues: Perspectives in Psychology, SOCI 2105 - Social Issues: Perspectives in Sociology, CRJU 2105 - Social Issues: Perspectives in Criminal Justice.
- AADS 1102 - Issues in African and African Diaspora StudiesorAMST 1102 - American Identities, COM 1109 - Human Communication, FL 1002 - Introduction to Foreign Language and Culture II, PHIL 2200 - Ways of Knowing, GWST 1102 - Love and SexorLALS 1102 - Understanding Latin AmericaorPAX 1102 - Understanding Peace and ConflictorRELS 1102 - Understanding Religious Studies.
- Psychology and Sociology Majors should not take the course in their major discipline. Nursing Majors must take Sociology Students seeking a B.A. degree must complete FL 2001 AND FL 2002. FL 1002 is a prerequisite for FL 2001; therefore, FL 1002 may be the preferred option for these students. FL 1002 has a prerequisite of one year of foreign language in high school or FL 1001 FL = Foreign Language and denotes one of our foreign languages, e.g., SPAN (Spanish), FREN (French), GRMN (German), etc. Communication majors should take FL 1002 or PHIL 2200 to satisfy this requirement.
Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts (6 Credit Hours)
- This area includes ENGL 2110 (World Literature). Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 with “C” or better.
- Students can also choose from ART 1107 (Arts in Society: Visual Arts), DANC 1107 (Arts in Society: Dance), MUSI 1107 (Arts in Society: Music), or TPS 1107 (Arts in Society: Theatre and Performance). Theatre majors should not take the course in their major discipline. Music majors are required to take MUSI 1107, World Music section.
Area D: Science, Math, and Technology (11-12 Credit Hours)
- This area requires coursework in both science and mathematics. Students can choose from a variety of science courses, including ASTR 1010 - Astronomy of the Solar System, BIOL 1107 - Principles of Biology I, CHEM 1151 - Survey of Chemistry I, GEOL 1121 - Introductory Geology I, PHYS 1111 - Introductory Physics I.
- MATH 1106 - Elementary Applied Calculus, MATH 1107 - Elementary Statistics, MATH 1190 - Calculus I, MATH 2202 - Calculus II.
- Math and science requirements depend on majors. Students should see an advisor to determine which courses are most appropriate and to ensure that all prerequisites and major requirements are met. Students majoring in mathematics and mathematics education are required to take MATH 2202. Biology, chemistry, or computer science majors are advised to take MATH 1190 or MATH 2202. Business majors are advised to take MATH 1106, MATH 1190, or MATH 2202. Most other students will have an additional option to take MATH 1107. Students majoring in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and secondary biology education are advised to take CHEM 1211 & 1212 or PHYS 1111 & 1112 or PHYS 2211 & 2212 and their labs, if separate. Students majoring in computer science are advised to take one of the PHYS sequences. Students majoring in nursing are advised to take CHEM 1151 & CHEM 1152 and their labs. All other students (non-math/science majors) should take SCI 1101 & SCI 1102. However, any science courses meeting the criteria are acceptable except Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology.
Area E: Social Sciences (12 Credit Hours)
- This area includes POLS 1101 (American Government in a Global Perspective) and HIST 1110 (Introduction To World History) and HIST 2112 - America Since 1890. Prerequisite: ENGL 0099 & READ 0099, if required.
- Students must also take ECON 1100 (Global Economics) or ECON 2100 (Principles of Microeconomics). Business, history education, and international affairs, and sport management majors must take ECON 2100. All other students should take ECON 1100 ECON 1100 has prerequisites of the following courses, if required: ENGL 0099, MATH 0098 or MATH 0099, READ 0099 ECON 2100 has a prerequisite of MATH 1101 or higher
Area F: Courses Related to the Program of Study (18 Credit Hours)

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- Specific requirements for this area vary depending on the student's chosen major. See the individual majors for the specific requirements in this area.

Additional Requirements

Fitness for Living Requirement: All students entering Kennesaw State University are required to take the Fitness for Living Course (HPS 1000). The University wants students to understand the importance of physical activity, nutrition, stress and weight management, and health-related fitness components. Students will have an opportunity to assess selected fitness, nutritional and activity patterns, and to develop and participate in a personalized physical activity program.
First-Year Seminar or Learning Communities Requirement: All first-year full-time students entering Kennesaw State University with fewer than 15 semester hours are required to complete a First-Year Seminar or join a Learning Community and complete all courses that comprise it. This requirement must be satisfied during a student’s first term of enrollment at Kennesaw State University. Students with 30 or more credit hours are not eligible to enroll in a First-Year Seminar or a Learning Community. “First-Year Seminar” courses are: KSU 1101, KSU 1111, KSU 1121, and KSU 1200.
Regents’ Testing Program Requirements: Effective fall, Kennesaw State University was approved for an exemption of the Regents’ Test by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Academic Performance and Credit Hour Requirements

Minimum Credit Hours: Complete a minimum of 123 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all course work attempted at KSU. No course may be counted more than one time in meeting the total credit hours required for the degree.
Grade Point Average (GPA): Have at least a 2.0 adjusted grade point average (AGPA) and at least 30 earned hours of credit for KSU coursework not excluded because of repeated courses or “fresh start” status. If the student has fewer than 30 earned hours of credit for non-excluded KSU coursework, he/she must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Upper Division Coursework: Complete at least 39 semester hours of upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher) work overall.
Residency Requirements: Complete at least 30 semester hours in residence at Kennesaw State (Coles College of Business requires 33 hours). At least 20 of the last 30 semester hours preceding graduation must be earned in residence. In addition, 24 semester hours of the upper level major requirements must be earned in residence at KSU.
Georgia History and Constitution: Complete successfully HIST 2112 and POLS 1101 or pass examinations in these fields (to satisfy the Georgia General Assembly’s requirement that all graduates of units of the University System of Georgia demonstrate competency in United States and Georgia history and the constitutions of the United States and Georgia).

Classification of Students

Undergraduate students are classified into levels on the basis of the number of credit hours they have earned as follows:

Freshman: 0-29 credit hours
Sophomore: 30-59 credit hours
Junior: 60-89 credit hours
Senior: 90 and above credit hours

Classification of Courses

The courses of instruction for degree credit in the curriculum of the university are divided into three categories: lower division, upper division and graduate. Lower division courses (typically regarded as freshman and sophomore level courses) are numbered 1000-2999; upper division courses (typically regarded as junior and senior level courses) are numbered 3000-4999; and graduate courses are numbered 5000 and above. Graduate courses are open only to students accepted to graduate study. (Courses numbered below 1000 do not count for degree credit but do count for determining fees and enrollment status.)

Petition to Graduate

To be considered for admission to candidacy for a degree, students must make formal petition to the faculty for the degree. The chart below indicates the earliest and latest times that students may petition to graduate. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and must be returned, once completed, to the Office of the Registrar.

Term of Graduation Earliest Time to Petition Latest Time to Petition
FALL April 1 July 1
SPRING August 1 of previous year November 1 of previous year
SUMMER January 1 April 10

Graduate Degree Requirements

General Requirements

All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within six years, beginning with the first registration in graduate-level classes following admission to the degree program. For doctoral programs, this timeframe is extended to ten years.

If students have two courses that are so similar as to be considered the same, they may only use one to meet program of study degree requirements. In graduate programs with specific concentrations, a student may qualify for an additional concentration (within the specified graduate program) by completing a minimum of twelve (12) additional hours of appropriate course work beyond that required for the original concentration and by completing any special requirements of that concentration and only if the additional courses are completed before any of the student’s graduate credits will be more than six years old for master’s program or more than ten (10) years old for doctoral programs. The grades in the additional hours must not cause the student’s grade point average to fall below a 3.0.

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Second Graduate Degree

A student may earn a specific degree at Kennesaw State only once. For a second degree, the student may be able to use appropriate coursework from the original graduate degree. The exact number of hours will depend on specific degree requirements and will be determined in consultation with the program director. Each candidate should refer to 5.2 Residency Requirements as noted above to ensure that they will meet the residency graduation requirements for their second degree. Each candidate for a second graduate degree must apply for graduation. An application for graduation will be accepted and may be filed online by the posted deadlines.

Doctoral Candidacy and Dissertation

Students seeking a doctoral degree at KSU must be admitted to candidacy. In consultation with the Program Coordinator, the student must select a Dissertation Chair. The chair must be a KSU Graduate Faculty member associated with the student’s academic program. The Dissertation Committee must consist of at least three KSU Graduate Faculty and may consist of additional committee members. A satisfactory final oral examination is required for the approval of a dissertation proposal. The Dissertation Committee decision must be unanimous.

Doctoral Program Milestones and Dismissal Appeals

Doctoral students may be dismissed for failure to successfully complete milestones in their program. These include: comprehensive (or qualifying) exam, proposal defense, dissertation defense. Doctoral students have the right to appeal dismissal decisions based on milestones.

An appeal must be submitted to the Chair or Director overseeing the doctoral program within 20 business days of the date students are informed of dismissal. The Chair or Director shall render a decision within 20 business days of receipt. If there is a delay in issuing a decision by the deadline, the Chair or Director will notify the student explaining the reason for needing additional time to issue a decision. The student may appeal the Chair or Director’s decision to the Dean of the Academic College within 10 business days of the receipt of the report. The Dean will issue a decision within 20 business days. If there is a delay in issuing a decision by the deadline, the Dean will notify the student and Chair or Director explaining the reason for needing additional time to issue a decision. The student may appeal the Academic College Dean’s decision to the Dean of the Graduate College within 10 business days of the receipt of the report. The Graduate Dean will issue a decision within 20 business days. If there is a delay in issuing a decision by the deadline, the Graduate Dean will notify the student and academic dean explaining the reason for needing additional time to issue a decision. The Graduate Dean’s decision is final.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Specifics

Individuals completing an M.A.T. program in education that prepares teachers at the baccalaureate level (M.A.T. Grade of “B” or better in Exceptional Child course, i.e. End-of-semester YCE surveys from school-based personnel Some degree programs in teacher education have additional requirements for program completion. Graduation from an initial teacher preparation program requires that the student at least attempt the GACE Content exams associated with their degree field. Passing scores are required for certification by the PSC. and program requirements while meeting minimum requirements.

Graduation Application and Diploma Information

Application to Graduate

Students must apply for a stand-alone certificate to be awarded the certificate. Each candidate for a second graduate degree must apply for graduation. An application for graduation will be accepted and may be filed online by the posted deadlines. Students must apply for a stand-alone certificate to be awarded the certificate.

Diploma Details

Look in Degree Works for degrees awarded. Major and honors (if applicable) will appear on the diploma. This must be your legal name. If name must be submitted, i.e. court records of the name change, Green Card, US Passport. Each copy is $30.00. Undeliverable diplomas/certificates will be returned to the Registrar's Office. term after which the diploma/certificate will be recycled. The diploma fee is $50.00.

Commencement Ceremony

Graduation celebrations are throughout campus, culminating with a commencement ceremony. KSU regalia will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony. and shoes to complement the black academic regalia of Kennesaw State University. regalia can be purchased through Jostens.

Regalia

Josten's regalia deadline to be delivered to the bookstore is February. (including Doctoral regalia) to ensure delivery for Commencement week. at the KSU Bookstore any time prior to commencement ceremonies. gold tassel. Master’s and Specialist degree graduates wear the new black gown with gold piping designed with two gold embroidered KSU school seals, a hood, and a black mortarboard (cap) with black and gold tassel. Each hood has a separate color* based on the discipline and it is the most distinctive feature of this academic attire. Education Specialist hoods are somewhat different in that they are longer and wider than the master’s hoods. by the Graduate College to participate in commencement to receive guest tickets. offered. representing these societies/programs during the Commencement ceremonies. pins. The KSU Bookstore is not responsible for ordering honors Commencement regalia. to afford the cost of graduation attire. only and is distributed based on demonstrated financial need. is limited. The deadline to apply is November.

Additional Information

CLEP/SA/Internship Grades: Yes, as long as all tests are taken before the semester ends.
Registration: Yes. If the student is currently completing degree requirements, they can register according to their time ticket.
Minors: No. The minor must be completed at the time of degree completion.
Walking Twice: If I am getting two degrees/two majors can I walk twice?
Application Deadline: What are the application to graduate deadline dates?
Active Application: How long is my application to graduate active for? It will be necessary to submit another application and pay the appropriate fee.

Student Support Services

KSU offers various support services to help students succeed academically and personally:

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): All Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) clinical and Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) dietitian staff participate in ongoing continuing education (CE) events and trainings to better tailor services to the diverse populations they serve. CAPS hosts CEU-accredited events twice a year, with additional trainings offered approximately every 1-2 months.
Peer Counseling Services: KSU offers Peer Counseling Services through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Peer counselors provide support by connecting students with campus resources and offering guidance in areas such as academic success, stress and time management, college adjustment, and building meaningful social connections. In addition to one-on-one support, Peer Counseling includes outreach programs and group events.
QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings: Each year, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention trainings are conducted with Resident Assistants (RAs) and Residence Directors (RDs). RAs and Community Coordinators are also encouraged to implement mental health and wellness programming within their residential communities.

Additional Resources

KSU Catalog: The Graduation Requirements page of the KSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Mathematics Advisement and Placement Test (MAPT): Students who are not required to take the mathematics COMPASS test for the Learning Support Program should take the Mathematics Advisement and Placement Test (MAPT). The MAPT helps students decide which credit mathematics course to take first. This is an online test that students should take before orientation and advisement.

Transferring Credits

Transferring Core Credits to KSU: Students transferring to KSU from another USG institution may take advantage of the following policy by completing the General Education Program. Students successfully completing a course in one institution’s Areas A-E will receive full credit in Areas A-E for the course upon transfer to another USG institution as long as the following conditions are met: The course is within the Area hours limitations of either the sending institution or the receiving institution and The student does not change from a non-science major to a science major Please note that additional courses may be required if they are prerequisites to major courses. Area F (lower division major) courses require a grade of “C” or better. Once the transfer evaluation has been completed, refer to DegreeWorks in Owl Express to determine how transfer credit is applied to a particular program of study.
Transferring Core Credits to Another USG Institution: Students transferring from KSU to another USG institution may take advantage of the following policy by completing the General Education Program. Students successfully completing a course in one institution’s Areas A-E will receive full credit in Areas A-E for the course upon transfer to another USG institution as long as the following conditions are met: The course is within the Area hours limitations of either the sending institution or the receiving institution and The student does not change from a non-science major to a science major Consult the transfer evaluation office at the receiving institution for specific transfer equivalencies.

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