Council OKs six newly defined areas of study at KSU
Published 3:00 pm Sunday, June 14, 2026
At its June assembly, the Council on Postsecondary Education accepted a brand new educational construction for Kentucky State University, marking a major step within the college’s transformation to a polytechnic establishment underneath Senate Bill 185.
The council accepted six newly defined areas of study for KSU: Applied Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Technology. Together, these areas will arrange the college’s educational portfolio round extremely technical, industry-based utilized studying aligned with Kentucky’s workforce wants.
Under the brand new construction, KSU will proceed 28 educational applications that assist the college’s revised mission and long-term educational technique. The accepted applications embrace:
Applied Sciences: Agriculture, Food, and Environment; Aquaculture; Environmental Science and Technology; Exercise Science; Interdisciplinary Studies; and Social Work.
Engineering: Biological and Agricultural Engineering; Manufacturing and Agricultural Engineering; and supporting STEM applications designed to strengthen KSU’s utilized, technical and land-grant mission.
Health Sciences: Nursing; Nursing Practice; Exercise Science; Psychology; and Social Work, which assist rising workforce wants in well being, behavioral well being and human providers.
Humanities: Elementary Education; Special Education; Music and Industry; Mass Communication; Interdisciplinary Studies; and Criminal Justice, which protect core liberal research {and professional} pathways whereas aligning with utilized studying and workforce preparation.
Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food, and Environment; and Environmental Science and Technology.
Technology: Computer Science – Cybersecurity; Mass Communication with know-how and digital media integration; Business Administration; and different applications positioned for on-line progress, workforce alignment and utilized studying.
The advice adopted a complete evaluation of every educational program’s monetary stability, enrollment viability, workforce demand, educational outcomes and alignment with KSU’s new polytechnic mission. KSU’s evaluation course of included deans, division chairs, school, college students, educational management and college directors, with program suggestions supported by enrollment, marketability, price and income knowledge.
As half of the identical motion, the Council accepted the closure of 4 undergraduate applications: music training, music efficiency, political science and youngster growth and household research. KSU will develop teach-out plans for affected college students, which should be submitted to the Commission on Colleges and Universities, previously the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
“Today’s action helps Kentucky State University move forward with a clearer academic identity, stronger alignment to workforce needs and a more focused path for student success,” mentioned CPE President Aaron Thompson. “KSU’s future as a polytechnic institution must be built on programs that are sustainable, mission-driven and connected to opportunity for students and the Commonwealth.”
The council additionally accepted a monetary obligation and expenditure approval coverage for KSU to streamline processes created by Senate Bill 185, which requires KSU to hunt prior approval from CPE for expenditures over $20,000. The coverage requires KSU to submit an annual working finances to CPE for monitoring functions and permits KSU to submit a grasp place checklist and checklist of contractual obligations every educational 12 months for one-time approval by CPE.