University of Iowa considers cutting low-enrollment majors

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The University of Iowa is considering cutting several majors from its programming after the release of an Iowa Board of Regents report.

In the report, the Regents identified dozens of courses across the state’s universities that could be closed because of low enrollment, insufficient student demand or a lack of long-term viability.

The regents considers “low enrollment” to be undergrad programs with fewer than 25 students and grad programs with fewer than 10 students.

For the University of Iowa, majors like Applied Physics, Religious Studies and Gender, Women’s Studies are considered low enrollment undergrad degrees. 13 total undergrads are listed, some with fewer than 10 students enrolled. The lowest, Counseling & Behavioral Health Services, has three students.

Several of these programs are requirements for licenses or accreditations -- that’s something the University says it will consider.

For the University of Iowa’s grad programs: Film Studies, Orthodontics and Nursing Practitioner are among the 16 programs considered low enrollment.

“Academic programs evolve over time, and this process helps make sure they are keeping pace with student interest,” Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost, said. “By regularly assessing our offerings, we can better support students’ goals and the academic areas where they are choosing to invest their time.”

Ultimately, to close a program the University needs approval from the Board of Regents. 37 UI programs have been closed since 2015.