Posted 2 March, 2026
After a review of low-enrollment undergraduate majors, the University of Iowa is proposing to close six majors with fewer than 25 students enrolled.
The programs of study and their total fall 2025 enrolled majors are:
- African American studies, Bachelor of Arts (nine)
- Applied physics, Bachelor of Science (eight)
- Classical languages, Bachelor of Arts (14)
- Gender, women’s, and sexuality studies, Bachelor of Arts (12)
- Italian, Bachelor of Arts (12)
- Russian, Bachelor of Arts (10)
Each closure will require approval by the Iowa Board of Regents at its April meeting.
Following the review, the university determined a select group of low-enrollment majors should continue:
- French: Recent changes to the major have allowed more student flexibility and boosted interest. Enrollment in the major increased to 31 students in fall 2025.
- Religious studies: The Department of Classics and Department of Religious Studies will merge in fall 2026. Keeping the major open would give the new department time to review the program’s requirements.
- Science studies: This program of study is for students working toward teaching credentials who want a general science background. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with the support of the College of
- Education, is proposing the administrative home for the major be moved to the College of Education. This move would place the program where its faculty currently reside and help clarify the intent of the major to students.
The review of low-enrollment majors followed a recommendation in the Board of Regents’ 2025 Workforce Alignment Review of Programs Report, which identified undergraduate majors across regent universities with fewer than 25 students and called for their further evaluation.
The Office of the Provost reviewed recent enrollment data and trends for the undergraduate programs identified in the report. The review looked beyond enrollment, considering factors such as licensure or accreditation requirements, the program’s role in supporting other areas of study, available faculty resources, and how recently a program was established.
“The majors proposed for closure have experienced declining and, in some cases, consistently lower enrollments over the past decade—often fewer than 15 to 20 students—making it difficult to sustain the faculty resources needed for a viable program,” says Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. “This process allows the university to strategically focus its resources on current student interest and workforce needs.”
Many faculty associated with the majors already hold joint appointments and will be able to shift more of their time to their other departments.
All students who are currently enrolled in a major slated for closure will be able to finish their program of study.
Specific courses in these areas that continue to have strong student interest will remain available to support minors and certificates, fulfill electives, and meet general education requirements.
No minors or certificates are being discontinued at this time.
The university regularly reviews its academic offerings to ensure that they reflect student interests and evolving workforce needs. Since 2015, the Board of Regents has approved the closure of 37 UI programs, often as part of reorganization efforts intended to improve academic alignment and efficiency.