When people think of college majors, typically, the basic ones come to mind — biology, business, psychology, economics, math, and so on. However, there are countless other specialized majors for people, such as recreation management, hospitality administration, astrobiology and more. Many people scoff at these types of majors and give into the misconception that they’re “useless,” but they are actually incredibly useful degrees that allow people to become experts in their particular field of study, which can lead to increased job prospects and possibly higher wages.
Despite their advantages, some of these niche programs may not be around for much longer. As many rural colleges and universities face declines in enrollment and resources, they are being forced to cut several academic programs, leaving students with no choice but to transfer or change their major. This is extremely harmful for students because while niche programs like industrial management or therapeutic recreation may not seem super significant, it is the specialized majors that matter the most. After all, they allow people to develop skills specifically related to their chosen profession.
One college in particular that has slashed programs due to financial struggles is my sister’s school, the University of North Carolina Asheville. After facing a dramatically declining enrollment rate over the past five years, the Board of Governors agreed last summer to cut drama, philosophy, religious studies, ancient Mediterranean studies as well as the French and German language concentrations from the university. This created a lot of frustration for the incoming freshmen, who had already submitted their deposit to attend the school and may have planned to major in one of these programs.
Countless other schools have faced similar challenges in regards to funding the 100 or so different majors they aim to offer. For example, West Virginia University is cutting 40 different programs. Additionally, Arkansas State is eliminating multimedia journalism, music and criminal justice, and St. Cloud State is cutting criminal justice, gerontology and history.
For many, the smaller schools that are cutting these programs are the more affordable and closer options for students from rural households. The ongoing problem of eliminating departments that people are passionate about is inhibiting their chance to further their education and thrive at a school they want to attend.
Nevertheless, maybe there could be another way. With enough hard work and deliberation, the colleges could keep the variety in course offerings, all the while maintaining steady enrollment and funding for the programs. Rather than immediately cutting programs, colleges should instead focus on trying to increase student retention — that is, ensure that most if not all students stay for the entire four years. They can do this by cultivating a welcoming community, providing academic support to those struggling, and most of all by providing a wide range of majors so that everyone can find something they truly enjoy. While many see slashing programs as an immediate money saver, it is actually causing colleges to lose money in the long run. When they cut the departments — however small they may be — they are making it more likely that students will drop out, transfer, or choose not to attend at all, leading to a dramatic loss in tuition money.
Instead, these colleges should aim to save money by prioritizing efficiency and adaptability rather than cutting programs. They can do this by adjusting class sizes and freeing up resources of under-enrolled classes without completely shutting down programs. If colleges and universities can do this, then maybe these niche majors can stay around for a while longer. After all, the niche programs are usually the first to go, which is a shame because they are pivotal to providing students with the best possible preparation for their specific post-graduate careers.
