Ohio University announced Tuesday it will suspend admissions to 11 academic programs and merge 18 programs after a review required by the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.
The law, passed as Senate Bill 1 and in effect since June, requires undergraduate programs to average at least five graduates annually over the last three years. Thirty-six OU programs fell short of that threshold.
Programs slated for suspension include several Bachelor of Arts degrees in the sciences, the Associate of Applied Science in aviation flight technology and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in interdisciplinary arts. Many have corresponding bachelor’s or minor programs that will remain available.
Eighteen other programs, including African American Studies, French, Religious Studies and multiple music and geography degrees, will merge into broader parent programs if approved by the state. For example, OU’s six Bachelor of Music programs would consolidate into a single degree with multiple concentrations.
However, the university requested waivers to continue offering seven programs, including economics, dance and music therapy, due to workforce demand or the programs’ “unique nature.”
Current students will be able to complete their declared programs, and no immediate faculty impacts are expected. Ohio Department of Higher Education will review proposals before changes take effect.
