The South Carolina State University Board of Trustees has decided to discontinue six degree-granting programs, the administration identified as having low enrollment and little potential for growth.
The programs to be cut at the historically black university include Art Printmaking, French, French Education, Health Education, Piano and Spanish Education.
There are presently six students majoring in art printmaking, three in health education and one in French. Arrangements will be made for them, but no additional students may major in those areas.
The trustee board’s Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee made the recommendations after evaluating SCSU’s 57 degree-granting programs “from a productivity point of view and a cost effectiveness point of view,” trustee John Wilson said.
On the flip side of the coin, SCSU’s master’s in transportation is on track for launch this fall, and new degree programs that are under consideration include – A degree in fine arts, which would be a broader subject area than, say, art printmaking. – A master’s in business administration program that would be offered evenings for part-time students who have day jobs. Neighboring Claflin University has just begun an MBA program. – Continuing education courses in such areas as real estate and personal finance.
“Courses like that are offered at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College,” trustee Sam Glover said. “That’s their specialty.” Why would SCSU would want to follow suit?” he asked.
“We would not duplicate what they’re doing,” Wilson said.
