Saint Michael’s College updates academic offerings to prepare students for the modern workforce

COLCHESTER, VT – Saint Michael’s College has updated its portfolio of academic offerings to better prepare students to navigate the complexities of the modern world with skill, professionalism, and empathy, while remaining firmly grounded in its liberal arts tradition. 

As the nature of work continues to evolve, employers increasingly value graduates who can think critically, adapt to change, and collaborate across disciplines. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, skills such as critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and adaptability now outrank technical expertise, and nearly 40 percent of core job skills are projected to change by 2030.  

Guided by these trends, Saint Michael’s has restructured its academic offerings to emphasize interdisciplinary learning, applied experience, and career preparation rooted in the liberal arts. 

“Through a collaborative effort between faculty and academic leadership, we have strengthened programs that remain grounded in the liberal arts while preparing graduates for meaningful careers,” said Richard Plumb, President of Saint Michael’s College. “These updates ensure our students are not only ready for today’s workforce but equipped to adapt and lead as their professions — and the world around them — continue to change.” 

The changes, which include new interdisciplinary majors and the merger or revision of several existing programs, will take effect in Fall 2026. They were developed through extensive faculty collaboration and approved by the College’s Board of Trustees in December. No current full-time faculty positions were affected. 

New majors

• Emergency Services — Focused on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, this major offers four tracks: Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, Wilderness Medicine, and Emergency Management. Students will complement the major with a minor or second major. 
• Secondary Science Education — Created to address a national shortage of science teachers, this major fulfills requirements for secondary science licensure and includes 40 credits across biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. 
• Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) — Modeled after Oxford’s renowned PPE program, this interdisciplinary major integrates analytical approaches from philosophy, politics, and economics to address complex social, political, and economic challenges. 

Photo by Bear Cieri.

Merged or revised programs 

These interdisciplinary programs prepare students for future workforce demands while leveraging existing faculty expertise and institutional strengths: 

• Analytics, Computing, and Data Science — Combines Information Systems, Computer Science, and Data Science and Applied Statistics. 
• Equity and Justice — A revision of the Equity Studies major. 
• Ethics, Philosophy, and Religion — Combines Philosophy & Ethics with Religious Studies. 
• Global Languages and Cultures — Integrates French and Spanish language and cultural studies. 
• Performing Arts — Combines Theatre and Music into a single major with three tracks: Theatre, Music, and Musical Theatre. 

Other program changes 

Physics and Gender & Sexuality Studies will continue to be offered as minors. Art Education will no longer be a standalone major; students may pursue Education and Art & Design as separate majors, together as a path to teaching licensure, or as a major and a minor. The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) will be offered as a certificate within the Master of Arts in Education program. 

Students currently enrolled in programs affected by these changes will be fully supported through graduation if they choose to complete their degree under existing requirements. 

About Saint Michael’s College 

Saint Michael’s College, founded in 1904 on principles of social justice and leading lives of purpose and consequence, is a selective, Catholic college just outside Burlington, Vermont, one of the country’s best college towns. Located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our closely connected community guarantees housing all four years and delivers an internationally respected liberal arts education, preparing students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. Young adults here grow intellectually, socially, and morally, learning to lead with empathy and professionalism, and to be responsible for themselves, each other, and their world.