University of Iowa Plans to Close Select Low-Enrollment Majors
The University of Iowa is making strategic changes to its academic offerings by proposing the closure of six undergraduate majors with low enrollment numbers. This decision follows a comprehensive review aimed at aligning academic programs with student interests and workforce demands.
The majors under consideration for closure include African American studies, applied physics, classical languages, gender, women’s, and sexuality studies, Italian, and Russian. Each of these programs has fewer than 25 students enrolled, with specific enrollment figures as low as eight for some majors. The closures are pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents, which is scheduled to review the proposals in April.
Majors to Remain Open
While some programs are slated for closure, others have been identified for retention due to recent positive developments. The French major has seen an uptick in student interest, increasing its enrollment to 31 students by fall 2025. The religious studies major will remain open as its department is set to merge with the Department of Classics in fall 2026, providing an opportunity to reassess program requirements.
Additionally, the science studies program is undergoing an administrative shift to the College of Education, aligning it with its faculty and clarifying its purpose for students pursuing teaching credentials.
Review Process and Rationale
The decision to evaluate low-enrollment majors stemmed from the 2025 Workforce Alignment Review of Programs Report by the Board of Regents. This report highlighted undergraduate majors with fewer than 25 students across regent universities, prompting further evaluation.
Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost, emphasized the importance of focusing resources on areas of current student interest and workforce needs, stating, “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.”
Impact on Faculty and Students
Faculty members associated with the affected majors often hold joint appointments, allowing them to concentrate their efforts on other departments. The university assures that all students currently enrolled in majors slated for closure will be able to complete their studies. Courses within these disciplines that continue to attract interest will remain available to support minors, certificates, electives, and general education requirements.
Proposed Closures of Academic Units
In addition to the major closures, the university is recommending the closure of two academic units within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: the African American Studies program and the Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. These units do not meet the CLAS academic unit criteria. Faculty in these areas, who have been notified, will retain their joint appointments in other departments.
Kregel further noted, “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.”
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