Ohio University cancels 11 degree programs, may change 25 more due to Senate Bill 1

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio University announced it is suspending 11 degrees in response to a new Ohio law affecting higher education.

Senate Bill 1 went into effect on June 27. Although it was best known for barring DEI programming on Ohio's public college campuses, the law also requires universities to end programs with fewer than five graduates per year. Ohio University announced Wednesday that it identified 36 programs that fall below the new threshold and plans to end 11 of them:

• Bachelor of Arts in chemistry*
• Bachelor of Arts in geological sciences*
• Bachelor of Arts in mathematics*
• Bachelor of Arts in physics*
• Associate of Applied Science in electronic media
• Associate of Applied Science in equine studies
• Bachelor of Science in Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in Teaching
• Associate of Applied Science in child development*
• Associate of Applied Science in aviation flight technology*
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in interdisciplinary arts
• Associate of individualized studies
  • *Ohio University will still offer a Bachelor of Science in these fields

Most of the 11 programs ending have another relevant degree that students can still earn, such as a minor in interdisciplinary arts or a Bachelor of early childhood and elementary education.

Students who are enrolled in these programs will be able to complete their program requirements. Ohio University said it does not anticipate any immediate impacts to full-time faculty with the programs that are ending.

Senate Bill 1 directs universities to eliminate any degrees that confer fewer than five degrees every year over any three-year period. Ohio said it found 36 that qualify. See previous coverage of S.B. 1 in the video player above.

Ohio said seven of the programs will hopefully continue, as the university has submitted waivers to the state asking for exceptions because the programs offer something unique or cater to workforce or curricular needs.

It hopes to continue its Bachelors of Science in economics and in nutrition science, its Bachelor of Arts in dance, its Bachelor of Music in music therapy, its Bachelor of Applied Science in hospitality management and its Associates of technical studies and of applied science in engineering.

Ohio University said the remaining 18 programs, all Bachelor degrees, will allow students to complete their programs as promised. Ohio said academic leaders are preparing curricular adjustments to merge the programs with other existing degrees over this academic year. If approved by the state, the following programs will be folded into existing majors:

Although Senate Bill 1 went into effect over the summer, the law allows universities more time to identify and end low-enrollment degrees. All public universities will need to complete their degree changes by Sept. 25.