Editor's note: This story was updated to include information about the introduction of new degrees created through consolidated programs.
Indiana higher education institutions eliminated, suspended or have plans to consolidate over 400 degree programs, or roughly 19% of statewide programs.
Six university systems voluntarily submitted degree programs with zero-to-low enrollment on Monday to comply with House Enrolled Act 1001-2025, effective July 1, which requires programs to have at least 15 graduates for a bachelor’s degree and 10 graduates for an associate degree. After July 1, state educational institutions must seek approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to continue under-threshold degree programs.
“This will help students make more informed decisions about the degree they want to pursue and ensure there is a direct connection between the skills students are gaining through higher education and the skills they need most,” Gov. Mike Braun said in a press release.
A total of 249 programs from IU campuses will be impacted, with 116 from IU Bloomington.
IUB eliminated 22 degree programs, suspended 31 with Teach-Out toward elimination (currently enrolled students to complete program) and suspended 63 with a commitment to merge or consolidate. An IU spokesperson said 27 new degrees would be created through mergers and consolidations if the recommendations are approved by the Indiana CHE in July.
Of the suspended programs, many consisted of language and art-related degrees. Notable among them were B.A.s in Spanish, Italian, French and Art History; B.F.A. in Dance and B.S. in Music/Ballet.
The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies is the #1 school in the nation for the number of foreign languages taught, and the Jacobs School of Music hosts over 1,000 performances a year.
Indiana CHE’s changes were made to better align with student and industry demands according to the press release, but Indiana employment projections for 2022-2032 predicted only three industries will decrease: office and administrative support, production and sales.
The IDS spoke with several students pursuing now-suspended degrees who said they have not heard directly from IU regarding the status of their programs.
IUB eliminated programs:
- A.A. in General Studies
- A.S. in Audio Engineering and Sound Production
- B.S.Ed. in Chemistry
- B.S.Ed. in English
- B.S.Ed. in General Science/Earth-Space Science
- B.S.Ed. in Journalism
- B.S.Ed. in Mathematics
- B.S.Ed. in Physics
- B.S.Ed. in Social Studies
- B.S.P.H. in Fitness and Wellness
- DrPH in Population Health
- M.A. in Communication and Culture
- M.A. in European Studies
- M.A. in Journalism
- M.A. in Theatre and Drama
- M.A.T. in Fine Arts
- M.A.T. in Journalism
- M.A.T. in Theatre and Drama
- M.S. in Anatomy
- M.S. in Nursing Education
- M.S.Ed. in Social Studies Education
- Ph.D. in Chemical Physics
A complete list of programs affected statewide is available here.
