Academics at Kettering University

Kettering University is constantly examining how it can remain the country's finest professional co-operative education institution. We continually look for answers from our faculty, our students, our employer partners, our alumni, friends and other sources on how to adjust the Kettering experience to focus on improved depth of learning.

The Kettering University curriculum emphasizes application, reasoned thinking, deep learning and lifelong learning. We changed the curriculum in 2001 to improve its depth of learning while retaining room for breadth. Kettering students can complete their undergraduate studies in 4 ½ years, including their thesis. Two free electives are available. Electives can be selected to facilitate getting a specialty, cognate, minor, foreign language or anything else the student wants to take. Students may elect to take free electives in their major, but they are not required to do so.

Kettering students take a minimum of 39 four-credit courses and a four-credit senior thesis. Non-laboratory courses meet four hours a week. Lab sessions are generally two hours long, and worth one credit hour.

Our academic terms are 11 weeks in length. International exchange students must enroll in a 12-week academic term that includes a one-week academic and cultural orientation. Faculty members spend one week at the end of each term on assessment activities, faculty development, course development and preparation, research and continuing education.

Today's Kettering student is self-reliant. Typically our students complete their undergraduate studies in nine semesters and then begin full-time employment. Our freshmen start college taking four well-selected classes, which better prepare them to integrate the material they are learning into their co-op experience. Our curriculum also facilitates Kettering's Bachelor-Master Program, which now can be completed in five years and has become a very popular option for our students.

Kettering's ongoing reputation is based on the ability and overall performance of our students and graduates. We continually seek improvements in offering challenging academic opportunities within the co-op tradition.

Kettering University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools located at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504. The accreditation includes Kettering University's graduate programs as well as the undergraduate.

View the official Kettering Undergraduate Catalog...

View the official Kettering Graduate Catalog...