State Regents Cut 16 OU Degrees, Suspend 3 Others

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State Regents Cut 16 OU Degrees, Suspend 3 Others

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently made a significant decision regarding degree programs at the University of Oklahoma (OU). A total of 16 degree programs will be terminated, while three others are set to be suspended. This decision comes as part of a broader review of educational offerings across public institutions in Oklahoma.

Summary of Degree Program Changes

The state regents evaluated 357 low-producing programs statewide. Their findings indicate that:

41 programs will be terminated.
21 programs will be suspended.
193 programs will be retained with improvement action plans.
102 programs will remain categorized as either “low-cost” or “shared-cost.”

Of the programs retained, 80% relate to STEM fields, highlighting a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Details on Terminated and Suspended Programs

Among the terminated programs, 14 are based on the Norman campus, while two are located at the OU Health Campus. The following programs have been affected:

Terminated Programs on the Norman Campus

Doctor of Philosophy in French
Master of Arts in Drama
Master of Arts in French
Master of Arts in German
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Programs
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs
Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology
Bachelor of Arts in French
Bachelor of Arts in German
Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy
Bachelor of Science in Geography
Bachelor of Arts in Geography
Bachelor of Arts in Chinese
Bachelor of Arts in Arabic

Terminated Programs at the OU Health Campus

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences

Suspended Programs

Three programs have been suspended, including:

Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Engineering (Norman campus)
Master of Science in Geological Engineering (Norman campus)
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders (OU Health Campus)

Official Statements

Sean Burrage, the chancellor for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, commented on the review process. He expressed that phasing out non-essential programs while protecting those in critical fields like STEM positions institutions to better meet future workforce needs. This strategic alignment emphasizes a commitment to responsive and future-focused public higher education in Oklahoma.

Further inquiries regarding this decision were not immediately addressed by key university officials, including Deans from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine Arts.