Texas A&M Ends Women’s and Gender Studies Degree Program Citing Limited Enrollment
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M University announced on February 1, 2026, that it will discontinue its women’s and gender studies degree program, attributing the decision to limited student interest and adherence to university policies following a comprehensive review of its academic offerings. The move marks a significant shift at one of Texas’s largest public universities, which has a long history of evolving its curriculum to meet changing educational demands.
Interim President Tommy Williams emphasized the institution’s commitment to maintaining rigorous academic standards and restoring public trust in the value of its degrees. “For 150 years, Texas A&M has led the way for higher education in Texas, our mission unchanged,” Williams said in a statement. “Strong oversight and standards protect academic integrity and restore public trust, guaranteeing that a degree from Texas A&M means something to our students and the people who will hire them. That has been our focus through this process and will remain our focus as we move forward.”
The decision followed a thorough course review conducted by the university’s administration, which concluded that enrollment in the women’s and gender studies program had declined to levels that no longer justified maintaining it as a standalone degree. Students currently enrolled in the program will be allowed to complete their degrees, ensuring no disruption to their academic progress.
College of Arts and Sciences interim Dean Simon North and Senior Executive Associate Cynthia Werner communicated the decision to faculty members, acknowledging the impact the news would have on the academic community. According to a message obtained by The Texas Tribune, the administrators wrote, “We know this is devastating news,” reflecting the sensitivity surrounding the program’s closure.
Texas A&M’s move comes amid a broader national conversation about the role and future of gender studies programs in higher education. While some universities have expanded their offerings in these fields, others have faced challenges related to enrollment, funding, and political pressures. The university’s emphasis on compliance with policies and academic integrity aligns with guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education, which encourages institutions to regularly assess program viability to ensure quality and relevance.
Texas A&M’s decision also follows recent scrutiny of faculty and curricular content related to gender and sexuality topics. In a related matter, the university’s College of Arts and Sciences reviewed a professor’s dismissal over a transgender-related lesson and found the firing unjustified, underscoring the complex dynamics at play within the institution’s academic environment.
As Texas A&M phases out the degree program, it continues to offer a wide array of courses and interdisciplinary opportunities that touch on gender and social issues, allowing students to engage with these topics through other academic pathways. The university’s approach reflects a balancing act between maintaining academic freedom and meeting institutional standards.
For students and faculty seeking more information about the program’s closure and academic policies, Texas A&M directs inquiries to its official channels. The university’s actions highlight the evolving landscape of higher education and the challenges institutions face in aligning programs with student demand and institutional missions.
More information on academic program reviews and higher education standards can be found through the Association of American Colleges & Universities and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which provide guidance on quality assurance and program evaluation.
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