With the passing of Ohio Senate Bill 1 (SB1), Bowling Green State University (BGSU) will see many changes over the next few years when it comes to degrees offered and course content that will be available for students. In April, the BGSU Office of the Provost shared an announcement on the changes being made around campus in order to comply with SB1.
For answers to frequently asked questions, BGSU has information available online.
BG Falcon Media reached out to the university for a comment multiple times, but did not hear back.
Degree Changes
Specifically, looking at the degree changes SB1 requires colleges to cut degree programs that graduate fewer than five students over three years. Across the state of Ohio, colleges have been forced to look at their numbers and find degrees that do not meet the requirements to continue to run.
“BGSU is adapting to serve the public good. The programs affected have been chronically under enrolled. This practice is quite common in higher education,” said Banks Blair, the director of the Office of Academic Advising & Planning.
For Bowling Green State University, that means reconfiguring 20 degrees. Which include:
- Bachelor of Arts in art history
- Bachelor of Arts in Asian studies
- Bachelor of Arts in communication with a specialization in media production and studies
- Bachelor of Arts in communication in theatre
- Bachelor of Arts in economics
- Bachelor of Arts in film studies
- Bachelor of Arts in French
- Bachelor of Arts in geology
- Bachelor of Arts in classical civilization
- Bachelor of Arts in German
- Bachelor of Arts in Latin
- Bachelor of Arts in Russian
- Bachelor of Arts in philosophy
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
- Bachelor of Music in jazz studies
- Bachelor of Science in gerontology
- Bachelor of Science in gerontology with a specialization in long-term care administration
- Bachelor of Science in nutrition sciences
- Bachelor of Science in public health
- Bachelor of Science in statistics
The BGSU Department of Theatre and Film shared just recently an update on the reconfiguration of two of the degrees listed above, the Bachelor of Arts in film studies and the Bachelor of Arts in communication in theatre. In their update, they share that both of these areas of study are now under the bachelor’s in film. For more information, they have posted their announcement on Instagram.
There are six majors that BGSU will be suspending new student admission after spring semester of 2027, including:
- Associate of Applied Science in human services
- Bachelor of Arts in geography
- Bachelor of musical arts
- Bachelor of musical composition
- Bachelor of Science in individualized planned program
- Bachelor of Science in physics
BGSU is waiting for approval to consolidate four programs across campus in compliance with SB1:
- Bachelor of Arts in American culture studies
- Bachelor of Arts in ethnic studies
- Bachelor of Arts in popular culture
- Bachelor of Arts in women’s, gender and sexuality studies
Student Resources
“The impact on current students should be minimal, as they are still able to continue their degree plans in their declared major,” said Andrienna Ausdenmoore, associate vice president and executive director for Life Design.
Current students enrolled in these degrees will not be affected by these changes, nor will the upcoming freshman class arriving in the fall of 2026. However, after the spring semester of 2027, no more students will be able to pick these suspended degrees. Instead, these degrees will be grouped under an umbrella that lacks the specificity of those on this list.
For prospective students, they will work with the BSGU Admissions Team to help future students align their areas of interest, career goals and ideas with the academic programs that are offered at BGSU. BGSU also offers the Deciding Student Program, which works with the Life Design team here on campus.
However, for the undecided students, these changes may look a little bit different. BGSU has integrated Life Design into many of its courses on campus, as well as having a specific office located in the Radbill Center. Here, they have student services to help students who are undecided or considering changes to their degree path. Scheduling a meeting with a Life Design coach can be done through an interest form.
“Life Design at BGSU has always been designed to empower students to navigate college and prepare for life and careers with intention and confidence,” Ausdenmoore said.
Another resource on campus for students includes the academic advisors assigned to them when they enroll. These advisors help students plan their course schedules as well as help them connect with other students in their major. Meetings with advisors help students stay on track with their degree and gain a better understanding of their pathway.
“Academic advisors are aware of these changes and will work with existing students to guide them toward graduation. They will meet incoming students where they are and help them plan their future,” Blair said.
Both of these resources are a part of the Division for Student Engagement and Success. These two resources work hand in hand with faculty partners and other areas of campus to help each student feel supported through their college years.
BG Falcon Media will continue to report on the updates of this topic over the next few years.
