Regents approve three new majors at UW-Eau Claire

The UW System Board of Regents on June 5 approved a new major in philosophy, politics and economics in the College of Arts and Sciences that will be the only such program across the Universities of Wisconsin and one of only two in the Upper Midwest.

Regents also approved College of Business majors in digital marketing analytics and professional sales. UW-Eau Claire has offered the programs as emphases in the marketing department, but the Regents’ approval elevates both programs to majors.

“These three programs reflect UW-Eau Claire’s commitment to renewing and refreshing program offerings to address changing workforce needs and student interests,” says Dr. Mary Hoffman, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, who will become interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs beginning July 1. “Bringing together philosophy, political science and economics creates new applications for the knowledge and skills associated with these traditional disciplines. Majors in sales and digital marketing analytics offer students a more specialized focus in two rapidly expanding areas of marketing.”

Philosophy, politics and economics major

The new bachelor of arts/bachelor of science degree in philosophy, politics and economics prepares students for careers in public policy, government and political analysis and provides strong preparation for law school admissions and success. The multidisciplinary program provides students with skills to understand and address complex social issues.

The idea for the program originated during a regular review of the philosophy program and was developed by Dr. Sean McAleer, professor of philosophy, along with faculty colleagues in philosophy, political science and economics. McAleer says the major builds on UW-Eau Claire’s commitments to foundational liberal education and interdisciplinarity.

“Most importantly, PPE offers students a powerful way to understand our increasingly complex world by combining the logical and conceptual rigor of philosophy in addressing normative questions, the quantitative rigor of economics in allocating scarce resources and the knowledge of political institutions of political science,” McAleer says. “PPE students will have the tools to determine for themselves what a just society looks like and how they can help bring a more just society about.”

The comprehensive major provides a solid foundation in the three component disciplines with flexibility for students to pursue interests in areas such as healthcare, climate change or income inequality, McAleer says. The major is for “intellectually curious students who are interested in how economic markets, political institutions and questions of justice and ethics are related,” McAleer says.

By the end of the fifth year, about 90 new students are expected to have enrolled in the program and 40 students will have graduated.

Digital marketing analytics major

The new bachelor of business administration major in digital marketing analytics will be established within the marketing and supply chain management department in the College of Business, elevating the program from an existing marketing analytics emphasis.

Moving the program from an emphasis to a major makes it more visible and sets Blugolds apart from marketing graduates of other universities, says Jennine Fox, assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management who helped develop the new major with Dr. Kate Kim, associate professor in the department.

“As students are determining which university to attend and which field of study to pursue, they will be able to easily see and declare digital marketing analytics as a major,” Fox says. “This major incorporates both marketing analytics and digital marketing coursework, but will also allow students an opportunity to tailor their studies with additional topics through elective courses.”

The major is unique across UW campuses and other comparable regional comprehensive universities, Fox says. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an increase of 116,600 job openings for digital marketing analysts between 2022 and 2032.

“The digital marketing field is growing rapidly, and this major will prepare students for the numerous opportunities to learn and contribute to the industry through careers in digital marketing and marketing analytics,” Fox says.

The new major is expected to attract about 25 new students into the program in the first year with a gradual increase in ensuing years.

Professional sales major

UW-Eau Claire will be the first institution across the Universities of Wisconsin to offer a major in professional sales, which aligns with the program’s reputation as an innovator and leader in professional sales education, says Dr. Lenita Davis, professor of marketing and supply chain management. The new bachelor of business administration major elevates the program from an existing professional sales emphasis.

“The demand for professional sales representatives and the level of preparation needed to excel in these roles is on the rise,” Davis says. “Additionally, the number of collegiate sales programs continues to grow in response to this market demand. It is essential for the UWEC sales program to position itself and develop its professional sales program in a way that distinguishes it and its graduates as the market becomes increasingly competitive.”

Davis noted that two important curricular changes will be implemented during the transition from an emphasis to a major: A new course in key account management and the requirement to complete a sales internship.

“Creating this major will not only enhance the program’s visibility at both state and national levels but also increase the number of recruiters interested in engaging with the program and its students,” Davis says. “This is truly an important development for the university.”

Graduates will be prepared for diverse local and global environments in roles such as account manager, business development manager, financial services representative, insurance representative and agency owner, inside sales representative, manufacturing sales representative and territorial sales representative.

UW-Eau Claire expects the higher visibility of the program will attract at least 32 new students into the new major each year.