Newman University to cut 8 majors, 10 faculty members. Here’s which programs

Newman University plans to cut eight undergraduate majors and 10 faculty members associated with those majors as part of a “continuation of restructuring,” the school said in a news release.

Those majors are English, finance, history, marketing, math, philosophy, social work and theater. The programs will no longer be available after this academic year.

The 10 faculty members affected by the change will be allowed to teach until the end of the current academic year in May, Director of University Relations Clark Schafer said. They will receive a severance package afterward.

Schafer said 57 students are enrolled in majors that will be discontinued. Of those, 37 are in marketing and finance. The university’s headcount is roughly 1,197, a mix of undergraduate and graduate students.

The university notes changing student trends, market forces and emerging industry demands as reasons for the restructuring.

“This decision follows a comprehensive review process involving faculty, administrative personnel, board members and external educational consultants,” according to the release.

Students who have declared a major or minor that is being discontinued can “complete their course of study at Newman and maintain their eligibility and financial aid,” the release said.

“The discipline themselves will be taught, but not as a major,” Schafer said. “We’re trying to align with what students want to take.”

Remaining students in the programs will be “taught through adjunct faculty and consortium partners,” Schafer said.

The university added new programs for the 2023- 2024 school year that include undergraduate majors in agribusiness, computer science, digital design and adult and professional studies and graduate degrees in biomedical science, business administration, data science, online social work and education.

The university’s academic catalog offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 graduate programs, two doctorates and four dozen concentrations and certificates, Schafer said in an email.

All Newman students, faculty and staff have been notified of the expected upcoming changes, the release said.