Does your college major even exist anymore? Georgia revamps majors statewide

The University System of Georgia approved a slew of additions, deletions and changes to dozens of majors at universities throughout the state.

Universities ranging from Coastal Pines Technical College to the University of Georgia have been affected by the Aug. 10 decision to assess the programs, which happens regularly.

Check out the changes for universities in metro Atlanta and UGA, along with explanations from the state university board:

Georgia State University

Establishment of a joint Master of Science/Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Translational Biomedical Sciences: "Major goals of the joint program are to provide research opportunities in biomedical and health professions and to foster scientific discoveries."

Termination of the Master of Education with a major in Middle Level Education: "The academic program was deactivated two years ago due to low enrollment. Formal dissolution of the master's program has been approved by the appropriate institutional curricular governance bodies. There is no adverse impact on students or faculty."

Changes to Master of Art Education: "The requested change would further streamline degree requirements according to whether students currently hold teacher certification or seek initial licensure."

Changes to Master of Science with a major in Risk Management and Insurance, now named Master of Science with a major in Mathematical Risk Management: "The degree has become one of the most competitive programs within the academic unit ... The resultant substantive change enables the academic program to have a STEM classification thereby increasing marketability and competitiveness of the program of study when recruiting both domestic and international students."

Kennesaw State University

Establishment of a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Entrepreneurship, Kennesaw State University: "The emphasis of the program will be on entrepreneurial application rooted in a solid foundation formed by successful organizational practices and theory."

Changes to Master of Business Administration, now Master of Science in Engineering Management: This major was a holdover as the old BA program from Southern Polytechnic State University — "The program was originally approved as the Master of Science in Technology Management during academic year 1985. The revised program will more correctly align with its intent and purpose while simultaneously provide for a management degree attuned to the engineering sciences. The program is not a business degree with an engineering focus, but rather, reflects an engineering degree with a management focus."

University of Georgia 

Establishment of a Bachelor of Science with a major in Atmospheric Sciences: "Based on recent discussions with the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel, it was suggested that the combination of atmospheric sciences, geographic information science, journalism, and communication could fill an emerging need in digital, applied, and broadcast meteorology."

Widespread merges in the "Specialist in Education" degrees: "Of those academic programs proposed for incorporation under a Specialist in Education with a major in Education, six majors have been identified as low-producing programs. Incorporating the curricula under a broader, single major in Education under the Specialist in Education degree will allow the College of Education to maintain specialized courses of study for students through a more viable academic program."

Merging and consolidation of majors occurring in the following programs: Bachelor of Arts with a major in Chinese Language and Literature and the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Japanese Language and Literature; Master of Animal and Dairy Science; Bachelor of Arts with a major in Classical Languages and the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Classical Culture; four programs within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Termination of Multiple Academic Programs: "No students are enrolled in the programs listed below."

  • Master of Agricultural Extension
  • Specialist in Education with a major in Art Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a major in Child and Family Development (CFD) - Early Childhood Education: Pre-kindergarten – Grade 2 Emphasis
  • Master of Family and Consumer Sciences with a major in Foods and Nutrition
  • Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Life-Span Developmental Psychology
  • Master of Arts with a major in Recreation and Leisure Studies
  • Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in Romance Languages
  • Specialist in Education with a major in School Psychology

Read about all the changes throughout the state from the agenda of the Aug. 10 meeting.