Students could soon be earning a bachelor’s degree in video game development at Southeast Missouri State University. The approval to add the new BS degree was just one of many academic program changes the Board approved during its December meeting. This moves the proposals forward to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) for authorization.
Game Development
A Bachelor of Science in game development by SEMO’s Department of Computer Science will address a rapidly growing global video game market, which is expected to grow by more than 13 percent through 2030. The degree would equip graduates with skills in game design, software development, and interactive media.
Emergency Management and Preparedness
The Board approved a new Master of Science and minor in Emergency Management and Preparedness while deleting the Bachelor of Science in the program. The Department of Biology concluded the curriculum would better serve students pursuing either a master’s degree or minor. The bachelor’s degree has seen consistently low enrollment. After speaking with industry leaders, the Department felt shifting to a minor and an MS, the program can be streamlined so students can gain in-depth emergency preparedness expertise at the graduate level. The restructuring will use existing courses. The Minors-to-Master’s pathway will also enable students to complete 12 of the 30 MS credits as undergraduates with the remainder completed post-graduation.
Public Health
The Board approved eliminating both the minor and Bachelor of Science in public health. Enrollment in the programs have been minimal despite recruitment efforts.
Environmental Science
The Board approved two new options within the Bachelor of Science in environmental science. Adding options for environmental health as well as biogeotechnology will better align the program with industry standards and enhance the marketability of the program. The current degree consists of a core curriculum and six advising tracks. The change would streamline the program by removing the tracks in favor of two targeted options that cater to distinct career paths in growing areas within environmental science.
Jazz Studies
The Board also approved changing the title of the minor in jazz studies to jazz and commercial music. The new title and restructured curriculum make the minor more practical and appealing to a wider student base. The jazz studies minor was comparable to a major, requiring exclusively upper-level courses. The revised minor will be more flexible and suitable for pairing with other disciplines.
The program changes will be reviewed by CBHE for final approval before any action can be taken.