6 low-enrollment undergrad majors recommended for closure

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.

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.

Two CLAS academic units proposed for closure

In addition to the low-enrollment majors, the provost also is recommending the closure of two academic units within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:

• African American Studies program
• Department of Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies

These units do not meet the CLAS academic unit criteria. Primary faculty in these areas all have joint appointments and will retain their appointments in other departments. Faculty have been notified of the proposed closures.

In addition to increased administrative efficiencies, the academic unit closures will further allow the university and CLAS to better align faculty efforts with areas of increased student demand.

"The board's Workforce Alignment Review report provided a starting point and the university's own assessment of enrollment data and long-term trends indicated that proposing these closures now is appropriate," says Kregel. "When we invest in programs with strong enrollment and clear paths to careers, we're making sure students have real opportunities after graduation. It also helps us keep our academic offerings sustainable, aligned with what students want to study, and connected to Iowa's workforce needs."