FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Over the past academic year, we have reviewed our academic portfolio, led by faculty and academic leaders through the interdisciplinary Academic Program Futures Working Group and guided by UTA Policy PRS-PO-02. We anchored this work in our strategic plan, our commitment to student success, and our responsibility to ensure that our academic offerings provide meaningful impact for the state of Texas.

Faculty engagement and data-driven analysis have shaped this effort. A representative working group conducted a multi-phase review of academic programs using clearly defined criteria, including student demand, student success, post-graduation outcomes, and financial efficiency. Programs identified for further review engaged directly in the process, providing context, responding to data, and contributing to discussions that shaped the final recommendations. Details about the process can be found on the Academic Program Futures website.

As a result of this work, UTA will discontinue, consolidate, or revamp a number of degree programs. These decisions directly impact about 200 of our 42,700 current students, and our priority is to support them with clarity, continuity, and care and ensure they can complete their degrees without disruption. The University also commits to providing clear pathways and advising for those who may wish to transition to other programs.

To be clear, these decisions do not reflect the quality of our faculty’s teaching, dedication, or scholarship. We made them to ensure long-term academic strength and sustainability.

Our plans include:

1. Suspending new admissions into the following programs:

Elective courses, certificates, and/or minors will continue to be available, preserving opportunities for student engagement in these areas of study.

2. Consolidating overlapping degree pathways into a single program aligned with student outcomes:

3. Consolidating overlapping degree pathways into a single program aligned with student outcomes, while retaining specialized programming as a track rather than as a stand-alone degree:

4. Suspending new admissions into the following programs while curriculum is reimagined through an interdisciplinary lens: 

These changes focus our efforts where we can have the greatest impact on student success. By evaluating our programs, we’re attempting to ensure that every program protects the value our students and families count on. 

In the months ahead, we will work closely with faculty, staff, and academic leadership to implement these changes in ways that are thoughtful, transparent, and student-centered. And in the fall, the Provost’s Office will share feedback with each of our academic programs to ensure we are continuously improving and providing better value and outcomes for our students, families, and the state of Texas.

I am grateful for the professionalism, care, and commitment you demonstrate every day to your students and to one another

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cowley