Indiana’s public higher education institutions are enacting sweeping academic reforms, eliminating, suspending, or consolidating hundreds of degree programs—including 68 with zero enrollment—to comply with newly enacted state requirements.
Six state universities voluntarily submitted over 400 programs for review. So far, 74 have been eliminated, 101 suspended via “teach-out” agreements, and 229 merged or consolidated into other programs.
Ball State University leads with 51 programs affected, including degrees in software engineering, German education, and chemical technology. Other impacted fields across the state include journalism, unmanned systems, theatre, drama, and nursing education.
This action follows House Enrolled Act 1001, which mandates suspension of low- or zero-enrollment programs unless institutions obtain waivers. Indiana universities moved proactively to comply.
Supporters argue the reforms align universities with current job market needs and streamline academic offerings. “These are zero‑ to low‑enrollment programs,” officials noted, emphasizing that students currently enrolled will complete their degrees through teaching-out arrangements.
Critics, including faculty and education watchdogs, warn of top-down political intervention in academic affairs. One anthropology professor called it “a complete and total power grab” that could curb intellectual diversity and economic development.
