JOPLIN, Mo. —
Missouri Southern State University is expected to shed only two of its programs after a state-mandated review of academic degrees at public universities and colleges, according to officials.
Baccalaureate degrees in justice studies and in management technology are likely to be phased out in the coming years, according to A.J. Anglin, vice president for academic affairs at MSSU. That decision is pending final approval from the state Department of Higher Education.
Several months ago, several associate, baccalaureate and master’s level degrees at Southern were under scrutiny after Gov. Jay Nixon called for a statewide review to weed out “low-producing” degree programs based on their number of graduates in recent years.
Anglin told the Globe and faculty senators on Monday that only the two programs are to be eliminated. He said arrangements will be made for students majoring in those programs to complete their degrees.
“We really did well,” he said of the review.
The state accepted Southern’s arguments to retain associate degrees in computer assisted manufacturing and in radiologic technology, and bachelors’ degrees in chemistry, history, international studies, mathematics, music, physics and theater. An additional seven programs — an associate degree in information science, bachelors’ degrees in environmental health, German, French and medical technology, and masters’ degrees in criminal justice and dental hygiene — also will be preserved but have to undergo another review in three years.
Anglin said he expects the state will look at whether Southern is graduating more students in those seven degree programs several years from now. He also said the two foreign language programs are likely candidates for collaboration with other universities.
The scale and speed of the review had raised concerns among faculty members last year.
Faculty senate President Cheryl Cifelli wrote in a Tuesday e-mail to the Globe that her reaction was “one of validation mixed with relief.” Cifelli is a professor of music at Southern.
“Of the programs that still have work to do, it’s probably just a breather before they have to begin the work of collaboration,” she wrote. “Those people involved with those programs, I’m sure, are just gearing themselves up for more of the same.”
Kathy Love, a spokeswoman for the Department of Higher Education, said the final report is to be complete today.
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