Southern Miss faculty and academic leaders are working collaboratively to review and enhance academic programs in a continued effort to promote sustainable growth, according to University leadership.
In a statement to faculty and staff on Monday, February 17, USM President Dr. Joe Paul commended the faculty’s work during the initial phase of the academic program review last fall, emphasizing that the effort will lead to innovative ways to boost enrollment and achieve savings.
“These efforts will lead to creative new ways to grow enrollment and savings that can be invested in a sustainable faculty and staff pay program, flourishing academic programs and new programs to keep our curriculum on the cutting edge in a fast-paced changing world,” Paul said.
Addressing the faculty senate earlier this year, Paul noted the ongoing necessity of seeking efficiencies in academic programming, staffing, and other areas during their presidency.
“We simply must have sustainable enrollment growth coupled with efficiencies to be able to pay our faculty and staff well and reach our goals over the next several years,” Paul stated.
At the conclusion of the first phase of the program reviews, University officials were optimistic about their efforts.
“The 2024-25 review process was completed in response to Dr. Paul’s charge to review low enrollment programs, identify resources for faculty salary increases and invest in high opportunity growth areas for the institution,” Dr. Lance Nail, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs said in a December 2024 statement. “This process resulted in excellent solutions to combine and revitalize degree plans. I am grateful for the faculty, staff, deans, and directors who put forth great effort during this phase to exemplify the continuous improvement efforts of a university committed to sustainable academic excellence.”
University officials went on to announce the status of several of its degree programs. Among the degree programs to be phased out are:
Bachelor's degree in music performance for the organ
Bachelor's degree in music education for choral pedagogy
Bachelor's degree in music education for instrumental pedagogy
Bachelor's degree in juvenile criminal justice
Bachelor's degrees in business administration for international business
Bachelor's degrees in business administration for merchandising
Bachelor's degree in sustainability studies
Master's degree in physics for computational science
Master's degree in public relations
The following degree programs will transition to an online-only format:
Bachelor's degree in sustainability studies-coastal system dynamics
Master's degree in physics
Master's degree in political science
Master's degree in mathematics
Master's degree in STEM education
Despite cuts to public university budgets across the country, from academic program reviews, Paul expressed determination to avoid similar consequences at Southern Miss.
“I am determined that this will not become our fate at Southern Miss,” he said. “Together we can do the work to sustain excellence, recruit and retain great faculty, and keep the cost of higher education affordable for our students.”
As part of the next phase in this review process, the University has released the Phase II Degree Plan Review report, which can be found on the Institutional Research website. Faculty members in affected programs were notified earlier this semester. The Strategic Enrollment Planning Council, which includes a majority of faculty members, is set to meet soon to review the report and feedback, with recommendations expected in March. Final decisions will be shared with the University community in April.
University leaders stressed that the review process will continue to prioritize transparency and meaningful faculty involvement. Further updates on USM’s academic program review and its impact on the Southern Miss community will follow.
