Lincoln University cuts two degree programs
The Lincoln University Board of Curators has voted to eliminate two degree programs, following a recent review of eleven degree programs.
The degrees being eliminated include the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, and the Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Science with an Emphasis in Sacred Music. Lincoln officials say the elimination of the sacred music degree will not affect band or choir programs.
The curators also decided to suspend the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in History for three years. That means students will not be allowed to enroll in the program. A decision to restructure or eliminate the program will be made at a later time.
The changes come following a review mandated by the Higher Learning Commission, in which institutions routinely look at their degree offerings. The Missouri Department of Higher Education expects undergraduate programs to have at least ten graduates each year, and graduate programs to have a minimum of five graduates.
In a release sent out Monday, Lincoln University President Dr. Kevin Rome said the following:
“Our students deserve academic offerings that allow them to be competitive with their peers as they move from our campus into a career. Although eliminating or restructuring some programs is a difficult decision, we can better use the resources from those programs to strengthen those degrees with a higher demand from the student and global standpoint. We must make decisions like these as we look toward the future and the needs of the changing workforce.”
Lincoln officials say the deans of colleges affected by the changes have developed a teach-out plan for students currently in the programs to be cut or suspended.
