The University of Iowa sought Iowa Board of Regents approval to add a Bachelor of Arts in special education and suspend its Master of Science in Sustainable Development program during the regents’ Wednesday meeting. 

If approved, the Bachelor of Arts in special education will begin in fall 2026.

Tanya Uden-Holman, assistant provost for Undergraduate Education, said the proposed B.A. will provide students with more time and a less costly pathway because the major does not require an additional degree.

The initial cost of the proposed degree is approximately $18,000, Uden-Holman said, with costs being covered by reallocations within the College of Education.

Uden-Holman said by year five, the program expects to see 48 students enrolled and have a net revenue of $150,000. She anticipates the program to be net revenue positive by the fall of year two. 

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Proposed suspension of Master of Science in Sustainable Development

Saba Ali, dean of the graduate college at the UI and associate provost for Graduate and Professional Education, said the temporary suspension will allow the future of the program to be reassessed, with there being a possibility that the program director may potentially look for another college within the UI willing to support it.

“While the program has graduated successful students, the program has not been able to optimize its potential due to capacity constraints, for example, faculty departures,” Ali said.

The program was first introduced in fall 2022, housed in the graduate college. Ali said, historically, the program’s enrollment has ranged from about two to seven students.

There are two students actively enrolled in the program, and they will be allowed to continue their studies during the suspension.

Ali said the suspension will not result in any faculty or staff reductions, and no resources will need to be reallocated.