Marymount University dropping 8 liberal arts majors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which Marymount ? The one in upstate NY?

No, the one in Arllington, VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By a 20-0 vote, the trustees of Marymount University are eliminating 8 majors that aren't drawing sufficient interest:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/02/24/marymount-university-humanities-majors-eliminated/

From that article: "The majors to be eliminated are art, English, history, mathematics, philosophy, secondary education, sociology, and theology and religious studies. A BA program in economics will be eliminated, but the BS in that field will remain. The university is also cutting a master’s program in English and the humanities. Students already in those programs will be able to complete their degrees, the university said. Officials also say courses in those fields will continue to be offered. “Marymount will always be dedicated to the education of the whole person,” the university said."

The scope of deleted majors seems unacceptably broad. I understand that Marymount is a tiny college with a small endowment, making it difficult for them to staff/fund a wide variety of academic offerings. Still - English *and* art *and* history *and* math *and* philosophy...wow. This follows the trend of colleges focusing on career readiness.

I am surprised that math is one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s an overpriced, mediocre school

My grad degree was cheaper there than the same degree at Mason at the time.

I actually doubt that sbd even if true what did that degree get you? (I thought so). Anyhow I just checked . Today, the doctorate in Physical Therapy st Marymount would cost you $121,400 not including anything for costs, room and board. You can do much better (and get valuable internships) at GMU

This isn't true but I can see why you did that math. Quoted tuitions are not actual tuitions in academic, and it's weird they way they do it. Essentially no one at Marymount pays more than 22K/year. Which is largely why they are losing money. It is a great value for a lot of people locally who want to get degrees, especially graduate degrees.

[Anonymous]

Concernig that secondary education, math, history, & English are being eliminated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Concernig that secondary education, math, history, & English are being eliminated.

A pure math degree from Marymount isn’t useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s an overpriced, mediocre school

My grad degree was cheaper there than the same degree at Mason at the time.

I actually doubt that sbd even if true what did that degree get you? (I thought so). Anyhow I just checked . Today, the doctorate in Physical Therapy st Marymount would cost you $121,400 not including anything for costs, room and board. You can do much better (and get valuable internships) at GMU

I paid $15k to get a graduate degree in education to switch from finance to teaching in 2009. It was nights/weekends at their Reston campus. The same program through GMU was (at the time) $18k. I remember being shocked, but I rolled with it because for education the degree doesn’t matter in the slightest so $3k was happily saved.

[Anonymous]

A small Catholic college with a not particularly low acceptance rate is struggling to survive.

[Anonymous]

Marymount University update (Fall 2025):

Marymount University recently (September–October 2025) closed its research program and terminated the Vice President for Research as well as the director of the university’s only active research program, noting that the institution is no longer pursuing a Research 2 trajectory. Several additional research staff and faculty were also laid off during this period.

There is widespread concern among faculty and staff regarding the university’s direction. Multiple campus sources have reported further leadership turnover, including the departure of the recently appointed provost, who stepped into the role following the exit of Provost Hesham. In addition, several members of the Board of Trustees reportedly left the board in October 2025. These developments have heightened uncertainty and anxiety across the campus community.

Collectively, these changes have raised significant questions about the university’s short-term stability as well as its long-term strategy and financial health. Many within the community feel that the future of this small institution has become increasingly precarious.

[Anonymous]

There are 1,869 undergrads -- our local public high school down the road has more students.

The issue is the university, not so much those particular majors. They're close to becoming a sinking ship. Smaller universities are having a tough time surviving, and salary costs in this area compared to the similar schools in some small town make it even harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of lower performing schools are on the very edge right now. It's either eliminate majors or close.

+1 if it's such a shame then those who think this way should push their kids into those majors at those schools.

Gen Z know that life is expensive, and a stand alone English or art history degree will mean living hand to mouth for a while. There are better schools to go to for math.

I grew up lower income. I never want to live that way ever again, nor would I want my kids to experience that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Marymount University update (Fall 2025):

Marymount University recently (September–October 2025) closed its research program and terminated the Vice President for Research as well as the director of the university’s only active research program, noting that the institution is no longer pursuing a Research 2 trajectory. Several additional research staff and faculty were also laid off during this period.

There is widespread concern among faculty and staff regarding the university’s direction. Multiple campus sources have reported further leadership turnover, including the departure of the recently appointed provost, who stepped into the role following the exit of Provost Hesham. In addition, several members of the Board of Trustees reportedly left the board in October 2025. These developments have heightened uncertainty and anxiety across the campus community.

Collectively, these changes have raised significant questions about the university’s short-term stability as well as its long-term strategy and financial health. Many within the community feel that the future of this small institution has become increasingly precarious.

Why are you double posting this?

The university is going through some stuff. Like a lot of other small universities.

It's also rapidly increasing in the national rankings and having a lot of successes.

I'm sorry you have a bone to pick but reviving this thread to repeatedly post a distant-sounding grudge about a school that a lot of people really love and are depending on to succeed is a weird flex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Concernig that secondary education, math, history, & English are being eliminated.

You can go to other schools for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By a 20-0 vote, the trustees of Marymount University are eliminating 8 majors that aren't drawing sufficient interest:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/02/24/marymount-university-humanities-majors-eliminated/

From that article: "The majors to be eliminated are art, English, history, mathematics, philosophy, secondary education, sociology, and theology and religious studies. A BA program in economics will be eliminated, but the BS in that field will remain. The university is also cutting a master’s program in English and the humanities. Students already in those programs will be able to complete their degrees, the university said. Officials also say courses in those fields will continue to be offered. “Marymount will always be dedicated to the education of the whole person,” the university said."

The scope of deleted majors seems unacceptably broad. I understand that Marymount is a tiny college with a small endowment, making it difficult for them to staff/fund a wide variety of academic offerings. Still - English *and* art *and* history *and* math *and* philosophy...wow. This follows the trend of colleges focusing on career readiness.

I am surprised that math is one of them.

math is not that great of a major if you aren't going to a top college where you can pivot to finance.