FY20 Program Review FAQ

Like many other colleges and universities, Missouri Western is no longer able to subsidize and continue degree programs with small enrollments. Traditionally, higher education has approached operations with a “more-is-more” approach. Today, this is changing.  Tuition dollars and state funding simply don’t cover the costs to administer some of our smaller programs. We find it necessary to invest in our stronger programs to make them even better.

In higher education overall, universities are facing financial pressures due to declining state funding, demographic changes, increased competition, and now the unprecedented economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Missouri Western is no different. To sustain our operations, we must make strategic changes now that will help strengthen the University going forward.

The Board of Governors approved the Academic Program Review last month to evaluate programs that: (i) do not meet the state’s annual graduation guidelines (10 students/year in undergraduate programs or 5 students/year in graduate programs) or (ii) do not have sustainable enrollment levels to cover program expenses.

As part of this review process, the University convened an Academic Review Board (ARB). The ARB reviewed data such as enrollments, graduates, student credit hours, faculty counts, etc. together with external employment data to better understand student demand for majors/minors, program viability and career prospects. The ARB spent countless hours reviewing this data with a focus on financial sustainability. The review did not question the quality, value, or rigor of a program or any specific professor; by contrast, it looked closely at program viability.

The ARB presented their report to the provost on March 31. The provost shared the ARB report and his response to campus on April 4. Campus constituents have until April 15 to submit written comments to the provost. The provost will then make his final recommendations to the president, who in turn will make a recommendation to the Board of Governors for their meeting in late April.

Based on the objective suggestions made by the ARB, the provost is recommending to suspend new student enrollment and phase out certain programs (major, minor or concentration) over the course of the next two years. Keep in mind that Missouri Western’s Board of Governors has to vote to take any action to suspend enrollment or phase out programs. This list is a recommendation, based on the findings of the ARB.

If the Board of Governors votes to accept a recommendation to phase out a program, Missouri Western will immediately suspend new student enrollment into the program and provide a pathway for currently enrolled students to complete their degrees. If a degree program is slated to be phased out, that does NOT mean that courses will no longer be taught in that subject area. 

Most students should not be directly affected. More than 75% of Missouri Western students are enrolled in high enrollment programs not affected by the recommendations. Students who are in an affected program will work with a transition advisor to determine the best pathway to complete their Missouri Western degree. This will be unique to each student, but a customized teach-out plan could include courses on Missouri Western’s campus or through a partner institution.

Students in affected programs will have three years to complete their degree requirements. Students needing more time than three years may be able to complete their Missouri Western program through our partnerships with other universities. Missouri Western is committed to minimizing any negative impact on students while helping them obtain a Missouri Western degree.