Formerly 18 departments, EMU’s College of Arts and Sciences has now reorganized into eight schools. During the summer of 2026, CAS had a complete remodel, although majors and programs will not see changes.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Carol Bishop Mills wrote in an email to students, “Your major has not disappeared. Your degree requirements have not suddenly changed. You will still learn from the faculty you know. What has changed is how we organize those programs and how we can work together to support you.”
In an interview with The Eastern Echo, Mills talked about how these changes were made.
“We did so by really thinking more into what are the ways that students might be navigating their own careers and what might interest them. We then cluster those things together,” she said.
Mills used the example of performing arts. Many students interested in music and dance may also be interested in musical theater. These programs used to be separate, but all share one school so that student interests can overlap easily.
She also explained that each school will host lectures and events that will show students the intersections of the majors in their school.
The email continued on to assure students that these changes were made to benefit them.
“Why make the change? Because your education should be about more than completing a list of courses. We want it to be easier for you to see the connections between fields, discover opportunities outside your major, and connect what you are learning at EMU with internships, careers, graduate school, and what comes next,” Mills wrote in the email.
Each new school received an interim director.
