The University of Iowa is taking a closer look at undergraduate programs with low enrollment following a report conducted by the Iowa Board of Regents.
The UI’s Office of the Provost will conduct reviews to see if majors align with student demand, the university’s educational mission, and needs of the state’s workforce.
The report called for a review and evaluation of those undergraduate programs with fewer than 25 students and graduate programs with fewer than 10.
Accreditation requirements and licensure will be evaluated to determine how best to move forward with each of the programs, including how the role of these programs impact other majors.
After reviewing the programs, the university will decide if the programs show long term viability and sufficient student demand to continue.
“This is the right time to take a careful look at these programs,” Kevin Kregel, UI executive vice president and provost, said in a Jan. 15 news release. “We are seeing record levels of student interest at Iowa, and it’s important that we use our administrative and instructional resources where they will have the greatest impact.”
The UI reported record enrollment numbers with the incoming class of 2029, the second highest number of first-year students in university history.
In February 2025, the regents approved the closure of two undergraduate programs: a Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice and American Studies, following a request from the university.
The university ended six graduate programs under the UI Carver College of Medicine in April 2025, following regent approval, citing low enrollment and a decision to place the programs under an existing Biomedical Science program established in 2016.
If a major is limited for low enrollment, many courses will continue to be offered for minors and certificates, electives, and general education requirements.
Undergraduate programs to be reviewed:
- African American Studies
- Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
- Science Studies
- Russian
- French
- Italian
- Classical Languages
- Religious studies
- Applied Physics
Editor’s Note: This article identified several graduate programs as being under review when it was first published, and has now been edited to reflect that only undergraduate programs are being reviewed by the university.