Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has cut a quarter of its staff at Rensselaer at Hartford, which offers graduate programs for working professionals, the Hartford Courant is reporting. The branch campus has 280 students and 35 employees, down two thirds from its peak five years ago, spokesman David Brond told the newspaper.

It also is shifting its focus from MBAs to engineering, science and computer science offerings, Brond told the Courant.

“We do anticipate hiring some additional faculty members,” Brond added. “The needs of students continue to change, the needs of students in Groton continue to change.” Brond was referring to a branch the university operates in the Connecticut community.

Rensselaer also plans to offer more distance learning courses using professors at its main campus in Troy.