Durham, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University Board of Trustees has approved a restructuring program that includes the elimination of five degree programs.

The degrees to be phased out include the master's program in sociology and bachelor's programs in sociology, public administration, French and art with a concentration in teacher education.

N.C. Central officials said elective courses will still be offered in those disciplines, and students who are already majoring in them will be allowed to complete their degree requirements.

The university also plans to merge its College of Science and Technology and College of Liberal Arts to create the College of Arts and Sciences.

Other changes include merging math, physics, English and modern foreign languages from four departments into two and creating a mass communications program.

Officials said the changes would save the university about $1.9 million through improved efficiency.

“North Carolina Central University is committed to providing high quality education and retaining and graduating students while responding to the economic challenges that exist for academic institutions nationwide,” Chancellor Charlie Nelms said in a statement. “We believe these changes will strengthen NCCU’s academic programming and offerings and competitively position our students for greater success.”