ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio University announced Wednesday it will suspend 11 degree programs in response to a new state law requiring public universities to eliminate programs with consistently low graduation rates.
The changes follow the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, also known as Senate Bill 1, which took effect June 27. While the law has drawn widespread attention for banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on Ohio’s public college campuses, it also mandates that degree programs averaging fewer than five graduates per year be cut or consolidated.
University officials said 36 programs fell below the threshold. Of those, 11 are slated for suspension, 18 are planned for merger with related programs, and seven have been submitted for state waivers. Any changes approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) will affect only future students, not those currently enrolled.
Executive Vice President and Provost Donald J. Leo said no immediate impacts to full-time faculty are anticipated as a result of these program mergers or suspensions. He added that college deans worked with chairs, directors and faculty to identify programs for suspension, merger, or waiver requests.
Programs proposed for suspension include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Arts in Geological Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Arts in Physics
- Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Media
- Associate of Applied Science in Equine Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in Teaching
- Associate of Applied Science in Child Development
- Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Flight Technology
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts
- Associate of Individualized Studies
University officials emphasized that students already pursuing these degrees will be able to complete their studies under existing catalog requirements.
Another 18 programs, including multiple geography, music, and arts degrees, are set to merge with similar offerings. For example, six Bachelor of Music programs would be combined into a single degree with multiple concentrations.
Seven programs, including economics, dance, music therapy, and nutrition science, have been submitted for waivers on the grounds of workforce need or unique program design.
Programs that will be merged, if approved by the state, will include:
- Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Geography
- Bachelor of Science in Geography
- Bachelor of Science in Geography in Environmental Pre-Law
- Bachelor of Science in Geography in Geographic Information Science
- Bachelor of Science in Geography in Meteorology
- Bachelor of Arts in French
- Bachelor of Science in Education in Spanish Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Art History
- Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
- Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance
- Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance in Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments
- Bachelor of Music in Music Composition
- Bachelor of Music in Organ
- Bachelor of Music in Piano
- Bachelor of Music in Voice
- Bachelor of Arts in Theater
Finally, seven degree programs have been submitted to ODHE for a full waiver due to their alignment with the workforce needs of the state or the unique nature of the program:
- Bachelor of Science in Economics
- Associate of Applied Science in Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts in Dance
- Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management
- Associate of Technical Studies
Ohio University said it expects additional updates after ODHE reviews its proposals for suspensions, mergers, and waivers.
