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The University of Bridgeport is eliminating its naturopathic medicine program, which has seen declining enrollment since it was founded in 1997.
Bridgeport also said it will eliminate programs in the martial arts, design management, religion and politics, and East Asian and Pacific Rim studies. Also discontinued: concentrations in master’s-level programs in technology management and business administration, the Connecticut Post reported.
The cut will affect about 15 faculty and staff members, some of whom may be shifted to other programs.
Provost Stephen Healey said students who are enrolled in programs or concentrations being discontinued will be able to complete their degrees at Bridgeport. He said the university had no plans to shut down related programs in chiropractic medicine, acupuncture or nutrition.
In all, the discontinued programs enroll about 100 students, including 74 in the four-year naturopathic medicine program, which has awarded degrees since 2001. Bridgeport enrolled as many as 115 students in the program at one point, but in recent years its enrollment has been on the decline, Healey said. “It could bounce back, but at 74 it seemed now is the time to phase the program out,” he said.
In place of naturopathic studies, Bridgeport will launch several new programs, including an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts, among others. The College of Engineering, Business and Education will launch a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering technology.
Bridgeport reorganized last fall, merging 14 schools and programs into three colleges.
