2021-47

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee,

Date of First Reading: March 29, 2021

Date of Second Reading: April 26, 2021

Title of Motion: Request from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication – for the disestablishment of a graduate degree – MS in Business Journalism
Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.

Rationale: Enrollment hasn't seen dramatic decline, but has always been insufficient. Qualified potential students tend to gravitate to other Cronkite School graduate degree programs instead. The school has taken strides via marketing to reach potential students, but interested potential students prefer the Master of Mass Communication degree (which doesn't have a business focus) or the Master of Science in Digital Audience Strategy, which is growing rapidly. The school has also encouraged students in other degree programs to register for the MSBJ courses, but a lack of interest has kept enrollment low.