BUZZ
Officials cite federal funding changes, enrollment declines
Loyola University Chicago joins universities across the country in merging or cutting degree programs due to low enrollment and other changes.
The Jesuit Catholic university has named 71 programs that it may cut in the coming year. Departments have until November to modify their programs to align with the changes. School leaders began reviewing programs last September to get ahead of predicted enrollment cliffs and federal funding cuts to humanities programming.
“Low class enrollment” drove many of the cuts, according to The Loyola Phoenix.
Michael Rozier, a Jesuit priest and vice president, oversaw the program review. He said there is not a comprehensive list because some programs are being merged or will still be offered in some format.
The campus newspaper did compile an overview of what programs are on the chopping block by reviewing the course catalog to see what is no longer being offered.
The Phoenix reported:
Thirteen bachelor’s degrees and three concentrations within were discontinued, notably including African Studies and the African Diaspora Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bilingual/Bicultural Education Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd), Human Services Bachelor of Science (BS), Latin (BA), Mathematics and Computer Science (BS), Photography and Video Art (BA), Religious Studies (BA), Sculpture and Ceramics (BA), Strategic Digital Communication (BA), Web Technologies (BA) and three concentrations within Music (BA) programs.
Twelve master’s degrees and seven concentrations within were discontinued, notably including Community Counseling Master of Arts (MA), Digital Humanities (MA), Health Informatics Master of Science (MS), Language, Culture, and Curriculum Master of Education (MEd), Modern Languages and Literature/Hispanic Studies (MA), Public Policy (MPP) and Social Justice (MA) and 7 concentrations mostly within Pastoral Studies and Divinity Master’s programs.
The law school will also cut three degree programs. Loyola officials also plan to axe fifteen undergraduate minors.
“Additionally, 20 graduate and professional certificates were discontinued, including Business Ethics Certificate, ESL Endorsement Certificate, Instructional Coaching Certificate, Professional Certificate in Instructional Design, Public Affairs and Management Certificate, Religious Education Certificate, School Discipline Reform Certificate, Social Justice Certificate and Post-MSW School Social Worker Endorsement Certificate,” the newspaper reported.
Other universities have cut programs due to state requirements to regularly review offerings or because of falling enrollment.
Every public university in Indiana has reviewed its programs, as have Ohio universities.
West Virginia University, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and Saint Louis University have all announced cuts in recent years.
A recent report by Inside Higher Ed found most chief business officers say their schools have “too many academic programs.”
“Some 70 percent of all [chief business officers] agree their institution has too many academic programs given current enrollment,” a recent survey found. This is “up 59 percent from last year.”
The study contained responses from 213 universities, including 99 public colleges, 113 private colleges, and one for-profit institution, for a response rate of 9 percent, The Fix previously reported.
