Following review by the state, Ohio University will sunset select academic programs graduating fewer than 5 students annually

At the direction of the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) in accordance with the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, Ohio University will sunset a total of 17 academic programs that did not meet the state’s new threshold of at least five annual conferrals on average for the last three years.  

As previously announced, 36 programs fell below the required conferral threshold. After review by the state, OHIO will sunset 17, proceed with plans to combine another 16 with similar or overlapping programs and continue three others following approval of waivers by ODHE. The list of programs to be closed was expanded from 11 to 17 upon ODHE’s denial of requests for waivers for four academic programs and a separate proposal approved by the Ohio University Curriculum Council to sunset two additional degree programs rather than merge them into similar degrees as planned.

Students currently enrolled in any of the 33 programs to be sunset or combined with other programs will be able to complete the degree requirements as outlined in accordance with the Undergraduate Catalog. Incoming students who have applied for entry into any of these programs will receive specific information on alternatives in the coming weeks.

The 17 degree programs to be sunset include: 

• Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Flight Technology – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Flight. 
• Associate of Applied Science in Child Development – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. 
• Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology – OHIO will continue to offer the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and related certificate programs in automation and mechatronics. 
• Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Media – The associate degree was offered at select regional campuses. The Athens campus will continue to offer related bachelor’s degrees. 
• Associate of Applied Science in Equine Studies 
• Associate of Individualized Studies – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Specialized Studies. 
• Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies – OHIO will continue to offer a minor in African American Studies. 
• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. 
• Bachelor of Arts in Dance – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. 
• Bachelor of Science in Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in Teaching
• Bachelor of Arts in French – The minor in French will continue to be offered.
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism
• Bachelor of Arts in Geological Sciences – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts – OHIO will continue to offer a minor in Interdisciplinary Arts.
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
• Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy – OHIO will continue to offer a Master of Music in Music Therapy.
• Bachelor of Arts in Physics – OHIO will continue to offer a Bachelor of Science in Physics. 

Notably, the Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies and the Bachelor of Arts in French were previously planned to be combined into similar degree programs as concentrations. Given revised state guidelines for undergraduate concentrations, Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences will not pursue mergers. Both will still be offered as minors. 

All other programs previously announced as intended for merger were approved for waivers by the state will move forward through the University and state processes outlined for mergers.