Columbia College, based in Columbia, Missouri, will lay off 65 employees and convert 17 of its 45 global locations to online status.
KOMU-TV reports that the college is making the cutbacks come as it works to address a budget shortfall.
In total, 122 staff and management positions will be eliminated across its 45 locations nationwide, Columbia College says. Fifty-seven of those positions are unfilled.
The college will also transition 17 of its physical locations to online operations.
“These very difficult decisions were made after exploring every alternative as we reshape Columbia College,” says College President David Russell. “We believe these important steps will ensure a strong future...with minimal impact or disruption to our students’ academic pursuits.”
The college also cited a lower number of high school graduates, increase competition in online education programs and "evolving student instructional preference" as reasons for the restructure.
Students who want to continue in-person learning are permitted to switch to a different Columbia campus.
Columbia College also announced that it will introduce new academic programs in various fields such as Supply Chain Management, Global Studies and Organizational Leadership.
