BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana State University-Billings has announced about half of its 254 degree and certificate programs were cut in a yearslong initiative to streamline offerings and prioritize high student demand and interest from employers.
The university announced its second round of cuts Thursday that would eliminate 82 additional programs, including bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and Spanish, The Billings Gazette reported.
MSUB now offers 135 degree and certificate programs after an initial cut of 37 programs a year ago.
Most of the cuts fell on teacher training and humanities programs, while some targeted programs from certification and non-degree programs to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, university officials said.
“It’s vital to our student success and economy that our program offerings align with student and workforce demands; and this process ensures we’re on track,” Chancellor Dan Edelman said, adding that the cuts will produce a better product for students.
Students currently enrolled in any of the eliminated programs will be able to finish before the curriculum is phased out, university officials said. It was not immediately clear how many students would be affected by the additional cuts.
Some faculty have argued with the timing of the plan.
“Our future’s going to be rearranged by COVID and the pandemic. Is it really the right moment to be doing a slash and burn on our programs?” said Keith Edgerton, a professor who chairs the history department, leads the faculty union and sits on the Academic Senate.
The university’s accrediting agency had recommended the school streamline programs, said Jim Barron, a professor of biological and physical sciences who sits on Edelman’s cabinet and chairs the Academic Senate.
“Cutting programs I think was a necessary process that we had to go through. Nobody likes to do it, but I think that it was done as well as it could be,” Barron said. “I think it’s an indication that we’re really trying to get our house in order.”
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