CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Johnson C. Smith University announced Monday that they will be closing their Department of Education. Here is a statement from the University:
A comprehensive review of all academic and selected non-academic programs occurred in 2011-2012. Each program was evaluated based on four indicators; mission, program quality, financial viability and marketability. The comprehensive review involved every constituent group at the University, including alumni. The Comprehensive Academic Review specifically noted that while the existence of the Department of Education was consistent with the historical mission of the University, contemporary realities had begun to erode the strength and viability of the department.
Most notably, the findings revealed low numbers of students entering the University with an interest in majoring in education. The findings indicated clearly that the department was no longer financially viable. Based on the findings of the review, a recommendation emerged to close the Department of Education in academic year 2015-2016. The recommendation was accepted and approved by the Board of Trustees. Subsequent meetings were held with all students enrolled in programs in the Department of Education, and the University developed and submitted, as required by SACS, a Teach-Out Plan which specifically outlined the options provided by the University to assure that every student completed their course of study as originally planned. The Teach-Out Plan was accepted by SACS and the Department of Education will close at the end of academic year 2015-2016 allowing every student currently enrolled to graduate.
