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