Academic Programs Update - Student FAQs

UTA regularly reviews its academic programs to make sure they continue to serve students well and align with workforce needs in Texas. Over the past academic year, the university completed a comprehensive review of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, looking at enrollment trends, student success, student outcomes, and financial sustainability. These updates help ensure that UTA degrees continue to provide strong value for students—both during college and after graduation.

The review was led by faculty and academic leaders through the Academic Program Futures Working Group. The affected academic programs actively participated by providing context, responding to data, and contributing to discussions that shaped final recommendations.

The working group carried out a multi phase, data informed review using clearly defined criteria:

• Student demand (enrollment levels and trends)
• Student success (retention and graduation rates)
• Student outcomes (post graduation employment, earnings, manageable debt)
• Financial efficiency (program costs and faculty workload efficiency)

Faculty in programs identified for further review were directly engaged, providing context, responding to data, and contributing to discussions that shaped final recommendations.

These decisions directly affect fewer than 200 of UTA’s 42,700 students.

As a result of this process, UTA will:

• discontinue three programs
• consolidate several overlapping degree pathways
• temporarily suspend admissions to some programs while curricula are reimagined
• identify additional programs for future improvements

• UTA is suspending new admissions to the following programs:

• BA Art History
• MS Sustainable Building Technology
• MS Taxation

• UTA is consolidating overlapping programs into a single program in the following areas:

• BA Chemistry to merge with BS Chemistry
• BA Geology to merge with BS Geology
• BA Mathematics to merge with BS Mathematics

• UTA is consolidating these overlapping degree programs while retaining specialized programming as a track:

• BA Theatre Arts to merge with BFA Theatre Arts
• MA Mathematics to merge with MS Mathematics

• UTA is suspending new admissions in these programs, which are changing their curriculum through an interdisciplinary lens:

• BA Anthropology
• ME/MS Materials Science and Engineering

All currently enrolled and admitted students will be able to complete their degrees without disruption. The academic department will develop and implement a comprehensive teach-out plan, individualized advising, and clear options to transition into other programs for students who decide to change majors.

Students who wish to explore other options for majors will receive individualized advising and guidance on transitioning to related programs that align with their goals.

No. These changes do not reflect the quality of the program, the faculty, or the students. These decisions were guided by changing patterns in student interest and our commitment to supporting pathways that lead to meaningful opportunities for our graduates.

No. Your degree remains valid and respected. Any administrative changes will be managed in ways that protect the integrity and recognition of your academic record.

Your academic advisor is your first point of contact. Additional information will be shared by your department. Updates can also be found on the Academic Program Futures website.

By focusing resources where they have the greatest impact, UTA aims to protect the value students and families expect, strengthen graduate outcomes, and maintain fiscal responsibility in stewarding public resources.

UTA will continue working closely with students, advisors, and faculty to implement these changes carefully. Communication, support, and student success will remain central throughout the process.