Centenary Academic Programs Repositioning Fact Sheet
Who, what, where, when, how and why?
<< back to news release | see also: Impact by Academic Program
Can I finish out my degree in my declared major as planned?
Yes. Currently enrolled students' degree plans are not affected by the changes.
If I haven't declared a major, one that will be affected by the restructure, how long will I have to declare and to be ensured I will be able to graduate with that major?
Students will have until the end of the Spring 2010 semester to declare that major.
How do these changes affect incoming students?
Prospective students who were planning on majoring in one of the programs identified for phase out will be notified as soon as possible after an official decision is made that the major they intended to select is no longer available at Centenary.
When will these changes take place?
Phase out of programs identified will take place once students currently enrolled in those programs complete their studies. Prospective students will be notified as soon as an official decision is made that the major they intended to select is no longer available at Centenary. The phase out is expected to take up to three years.
Which majors will be affected?
The following is a summary of conclusions regarding all of the academic majors and selected minors currently offered at Centenary College:
Accounting Phase out major and minor; retain service courses Ancient and Modern Language Phase out major Art: Studio Art Retain major and minor Art: Visual Culture Retain major and minor Biochemistry Retain major Biology Retain major and minor; add a B.A. in Biology Biophysics Retain major Business Administration Retain major and minor; add concentrations in Business Economics, Finance and Management Business Economics Phase out major and minor; add concentrations in Business Economics, Finance and Management to Business Administration degree. Chemistry Retain major and minor Communication Retain major (all tracks) and minors Computer Science Retain minor Dance Phase out major; retain service courses Economics Retain major and minor Elementary Education Phase out major Energy Management Phase out minor English Retain major and minor Finance Phase out major and minor; add concentrations in Business Economics, Finance and Management to Business Administration degree. French Retain major and minor Geology Retain major and minor German Studies Phase out program Health and Exercise Science Phase out major and minor Health and Physical Education Phase out program History Retain major and minor Latin Phase out program Mathematics Retain major and minor Music (B.A.) Retain major and minor with Vocal, Organ, and Piano emphases; phase out major and minor with instrumental emphasis Music Education (B.M.) Instrumental and Vocal - Phase out majors Music Performance (B.M.) Orchestral Instrument, Organ, Piano, Vocal - Phase out majors Music Sacred Music (B.M.) - Phase out major Music Theory and Composition (B.M.) - Phase out major Neuroscience Retain major and minor Performing Arts Phase out major Philosophy Retain major and minor Physics Phase out major; retain minor and service courses Political Science Retain major and minor Psychology Retain major and minor Religious Studies Retain major and minor Secondary Education Phase out major in Social Studies Education and other subject matter areas Sociology Retain major and minor Spanish Phase out major; retain minor and service courses Theatre Retain major and minor When will these majors be phased out?
After students currently enrolled have completed their degree requirements. Freshman, sophomore and juniors currently enrolled in the identified programs for phase out will have all courses available to complete their degree.
Will my major be phased out immediately?
No, there will be a phase out period in which students enrolled will be able to continue and complete their course of study.
Will I still be able to graduate with my major?
Yes. Affected majors will continue to be offered as long as current students who have declared one of these majors are enrolled and have not completed all of their major requirements.
What does this mean for my degree?
Your degree is from Centenary College. So, these changes will have no impact on your degree. Your major will be listed on your transcript and your degree will be listed on your diploma.
Will I still be able to keep my current minor?
Maybe. Minors are not required for graduation. Your advisor will work with you to determine whether you can complete your current minor or need to move to a closely related minor.
How does Centenary College compare with other colleges of the Associated Colleges of the South?
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School Number of students Departmental Majors Birmingham Southern 1,400 27 Centenary College 800-900 44 Centre College 1215 27 Davidson College 1,700 21 Furman 2,600 42 Hendrix College 1,463 31 Millsaps College 1,200 34 Morehouse College 3,000 26 Rhodes College 1,685 24 Rollins College 2,331 39 Sewanee 1,420 35 Southwestern University 1,301 27 Spelman College 2,100 27 Trinity University 2,703 39 University of Richmond 4,250 60 Washington and Lee 1,770 39 Is the Hurley School of Music closing?
No. The Hurley School of Music is a vital part of the College. The music program will reformat utilizing the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with emphases on vocal, piano and organ.
How does the Music program at Centenary College compare with other colleges of the Associated Colleges of the South?
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College B.A. in Music B.M. in Education B.M. in Performance B.M. Sacred or Church Music B.M. Composition or Theory/Composition B.M. Music History/Literature Music Business Birmingham-Southern College 
Centenary College Centre College Davidson College Furman University Hendrix College Millsaps College B.S. Bachelor of Business Morehouse College Rhodes College Rollins College Sewanee University Southwestern University Spelman College Trinity University University of Richmond Washington and Lee University Why is this happening?
An emerging new vision for Centenary College against the backdrop of the nation's faltering economy occasioned the College's Board to commission the review of academic programs last summer. President Rowe engaged faculty in responding to the Board's commission by creating an advisory task force. The charge to the task force was to create the academic program that will define church-related liberal arts education for the 21st Century. The challenge in this endeavor has been and will be to create such a program while optimizing the use of shrinking resources.
With these moves, Centenary is charting a bold new course into the 21st Century. A renewed focus on undergraduate arts and sciences programs will set the stage for Centenary's president to open up a conversation with faculty about complementing those programs with graduate professional programs, such as the Master's of Arts in Teaching, and to investigate the creation of more opportunities for students to engage global cultures through sustained and well-crafted international study experiences.
How were these decisions made?
The conclusions emerged from the work of an Academic Program Task Force of faculty members that was charged by the President with recommending a fiscally sound, mission-focused path for the College. From the recommendations of the Task Force and from his own vision for the institution, President Rowe has drawn a number of conclusions that he will submit to the College's Board of Trustees.
As part of a significant restructuring of the academic program, the recommendations include a reduction in the number of majors offered by the College from 44 to 22. This reduced number of majors, which is appropriate for a college the size of Centenary, will permit the College to focus resources on programs that are central to the mission. It is important to note that the majors affected by this restructuring will be phased out over a three-year period. All of our current students will be able to complete their degree programs at Centenary College.
What will the future of Centenary College look like?
Centenary will move into the future with a renewed emphasis on the arts and sciences and a select number of professional programs. The core experience for all Centenary students will include a focus on three primary challenges: (1) the expanding circle of our global responsibility to others; (2) finite natural resources; and (3) the continuing need for ethical and spiritual growth and adaptation.
With these moves, Centenary is charting a bold new course into the 21st Century. A renewed focus on undergraduate arts and sciences programs will set the stage for Centenary's president to open up a conversation with faculty about complementing those programs with graduate professional programs, such as the Master's of Arts in Teaching, and to investigate the creation of more opportunities for students to engage global cultures through sustained and well-crafted international study experiences.
Will this affect my scholarships?
No, these changes will have no effect on scholarships or other financial aid.
Do I need a new advisor if my advisor is affected by this?
Students majoring in a program that will be phased out will continue to be advised by their current academic advisor. Students assigned to an advisor in a program that will be phased out who are not majoring in that program may be reassigned. Students may also change advisors by following normal procedures.
Who do I talk to if I have concerns or questions?
We understand that you may have questions and concerns related to these changes. The first place you should start would be with your academic faculty advisor. Please remember that no current student's degree plan is affected by these conclusions. Programs will be phased out as students in those programs complete their studies.