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Changes and deletions for degree programs okayed

May 3, 2007

KALAMAZOO--Acting at their April 27 regular meeting, Western Michigan University trustees approved changes for three master's degree programs and deleted two bachelor's degree programs.

Under the changes, the Master of Arts in Physical Education will no longer have emphasis areas in athletic training or exercise science. Instead, the Master of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with concentrations in athletic training and exercise physiology will be created as a new program. The programs are more accurately described by a Master of Science degree because of the scientific nature of these courses, the application of theories in a clinical setting and the research emphasis in the program. Having these nationally accredited programs in a separate degree program also is expected to enhance their visibility and the recruitment of students.

WMU trustees also agreed to change the name of a master's program in the College of Education after it was moved to another department. The Master of Arts in Education and Professional Development with a concentration in reading will become a Master of Arts in Literacy Studies. The change reflects the reorganization of the College of Education, which moved this program from the Department of Teaching Learning and Leadership to the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies in 2006.

Also approved was a recommendation to rename the Master of Arts in Education and Professional Development to a Master of Arts in the Practice of Teaching. In addition, the program and its requirements have been redesigned to make it more competitive and to better meet the needs of K-12 teachers.

Two other degree programs, a Bachelor of Business Administration Interdisciplinary Major in Statistics and a B.B.A. in Public Administration, will no longer be available beginning with new students who enter the University this fall, due to typically low student demand for these majors.

Media contact: Deanne Molinari, (269) 387-8400, deanne.molinari@wmich.edu

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