Program Status: Discovery

To increase student persistence, sense of belonging, and graduation rates, the Vice Provost for Student Success has asked for a working group led by faculty to develop a formal meta-major framework for Portland State University, in line with recent recommendations from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS). By grouping related academic programs through meta-majors, we aim to reduce "choice paralysis" for undeclared students, help students find their “right-fit” major early in their academic career, and minimize excess credit hours by aligning early degree requirements in similar majors. Through meta-majors, we also aim to provide students with clear program maps, aligned advising, and connections to people and programs that provide students with initial exploration of broad disciplines and early academic requirements, and continued emphasis on transferable skills associated with world and career readiness

Accomplished

  • Created a project charge, scope of work, and deliverables.
  • Assembled a working group.
  • Drafted an initial set of options for a meta major structure at PSU for the working group to evaluate. 

In Progress

  • Research on best practices: Conduct research on meta major development and implementation at peer institutions. This should include a summary of best practices and lessons learned, specifically regarding student retention, time-to-degree, and career development.
  • Drafting PSU options: Develop 2-3 distinct options for a meta major structure at PSU. These options must leverage and build upon our existing Advising Pathways and degree maps to ensure institutional alignment.
  • Stakeholder Consultation: Discuss the proposed options with campus constituents (including Faculty Senate, academic advising leadership, leaders in schools/colleges, students) to refine the models and determine a final recommended meta-major framework.

Project Health

  • Working group will need to identify the systemic dependencies of the selected meta-majors. This includes examining their relationship with the proposed General Education reform, transfer pathways, and prerequisite sequencing.
  • Changes to PSU internal structures or course offerings could impact the project.
  • Timeline and final recommendations of the General Education Task Force could impact the final recommendations.
  • Deliverables and outcomes may be impacted without a financial investment.

Project Team

Sponsor: Christina Herrera
Project Manager: Pamela Bock
Team: Greg Flores, Stephanie Hamington, Matt Carlson, Martin Siderius, Randi Harris, Lindsey Wilkinson 
Collaborators: Brian Auriti, Suzanne Koedoot, Katherine Barich