New programs and departments, more degrees at UM-Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint continues to evolve, and launched a series of new programs and changes in fall 2016. There are new degrees in every school and college within the university, as well as department changes to expand courses and specializations for students.
“The University of Michigan-Flint continuously evaluates its academic portfolio,” said UM-Flint Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Douglas Knerr. “The new degrees and reorganizations emphasize creativity, analytical skills and problem solving. I am thankful for the many talents of our outstanding faculty, who developed these new programs to help our students expand their career options and talents.”
The School of Management (SOM) is evolving to help students in multiple ways. In spring 2016, SOM reorganized into two segments: the Department of Accounting, Finance and International Business and the Department of Management and Marketing. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and analytical skills, and will give students the opportunity to develop knowledge in new product development, retail management, international management and project management.
The College of Arts and Sciences will offer a new degree, a master of science in engineering, in 2017.
The Earth and Resource Science Department will be renamed the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. Two existing majors in the department have been restructured into Environmental Science and Sustainability and Urban and Regional Planning.
Department officials said the changes reflect student support, faculty expertise and the approach to the curriculum provided. The changes will help students interested in science or planning to receive even more preparation for careers or graduate school in these fields.
The Department of Communication and Visual Arts reorganized into two independent entities; the Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Art and Art History went into effect July 1, 2016.
The School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) plans on offering a master of arts in mathematics education for elementary and early childhood educators in Fall 2017. SEHS also started offering a bachelor of science in early childhood studies in Fall 2016.
The School of Health Professions and Studies is planning a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. It will be the first of its kind in the state of Michigan when it is launched in Fall 2017 or 2018.
All of the new majors and offerings, across the university, highlight UM-Flint’s ability to adapt, evolve and leverage its talents, said SOM Dean Scott Johnson. “All of these are really looking at the future of the workplace and the future of how organizations are going to compete and make a difference in the world,” he said. “These new majors and these new opportunities are two ways to keep being innovative.”
