More than 100 academic offerings on chopping block at PennWest

A program review also calls for additions, according to an email from the provost.

By KELLEN STEPLER
TribLive

Pennsylvania Western University could end more than 100 academic programs as the college prepares to adapt to demographic and enrollment declines impacting schools nationally.

In a Dec. 12 email to faculty and obtained by TribLive, Interim Provost James Fisher recommends more than 100 academic programs to be placed in moratorium as the university undergoes a comprehensive program review that, they say, will strengthen students’ experience.

“If a program at PennWest University is placed into moratorium, it will stop accepting new students, but currently enrolled students will be able to complete their degree on their home campus,” said Wendy Mackall, university spokeswoman.

“While some adjustments to course scheduling may be required, PennWest will provide advising and academic support to ensure students can stay on track to graduation.”

According to the email, six undergraduate degree programs at all campuses — California, Clarion and Edinboro — would be placed in moratorium: digital media technology (both bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs), engineering technology (an associate degree program), commercial music technology, theatre, and legal studies.

Graduate degree programs to be cut across all campuses include legal studies, corporate communication, athletic training and professional accountancy.

Fisher also recommends these undergraduate programs to no longer be offered at certain campuses: California: Graphic design, studio arts, secondary education — art education.

Clarion: Environmental science (the program would instead be offered as a bachelor’s in environmental biology), environmental science — sustainability and climate science.

Global online: Economics, finance/personal financial planning, and marketing.

Students had feared arts programs at California would be cut and, earlier this month, created an online petition to reverse the program elimination.

Minors slated to enter moratorium, according to the email, include: Applied data analytics, Arabic, arts administration, athletic coaching, climate change, communication sciences and disorders, creative writing, deaf studies, digital marketing, digital media technology, entrepreneurship, Earth and space science, event planning and management, forensic accounting, game programming, geography, global business, health science, human resource management, literature and culture, management information systems, nutrition and fitness, parks and recreation management, personal financial planning, professional writing, sales, social media, social work, Spanish, supply chain management, tourism and hospitality management, theatre, theater history and literature, and web programming.

The plan also calls for discontinuing 22 undergraduate concentrations and 11 graduate concentrations across all campuses, but most of them would still have degrees offered by PennWest, the email said.

“Programs were reviewed using several factors, including student demand, job and workforce relevance and enrollment trends,” Mackall said. “The review was led by academic leadership and involved extensive input from faculty and students, with a focus on keeping PennWest’s programs clear, relevant and sustainable for students.”

She said Tuesday the final program list will be shared in the spring and implemented in the fall 2026 semester.

It’s the latest move from PennWest as the university, along with every other college nationwide, braces itself for what could be a difficult year financially and in enrollment.

Next fall, colleges nationwide are anticipating an enrollment cliff because of declining birth rates. Experts say the number of high school graduates in Pennsylvania is anticipated to drop 17% by 2041.

PennWest’s enrollment continues to decline, decreasing 2.64% this fall from last school year to a total of 10,548 students.

Fisher’s email also indicates PennWest intends to develop additional programming in the future, including as soon as fall 2026.

Those programs may be added or developed “where there is strong student interest or workforce need,” Mackall said.