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UPDATE: This story was updated at 12:32p.m. on April 3, 2026
Editor’s note: Since The Daily Orange published this story, Syracuse University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness released a report providing additional details behind what programs’ reported “closure” means. Read the full report here. The D.O. has provided SU’s additional context in the chart below.
Syracuse University identified 93 programs to “sunset” after evaluating about 460 degree programs and certificates in its academic portfolio review, the university announced Wednesday.
Out of the 93 programs slated for pausing and closure, 36 are undergraduate programs and 22 are graduate programs. Thirty-three are certificate programs, including 27 advanced and six non-advanced certificates. Of the programs listed, 55 have zero students currently enrolled, SU Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew said in a Wednesday campus-wide email.
What constitutes a “closure” varies, according to a Thursday report released by SU’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Several programs listed as “closing” in Syracuse University’s academic portfolio review findings were closed prior to its release.
For example, the Master of Arts in Television, Radio and Film, Photography and Advertising were all replaced with Master of Science programs. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in special studies of art, the B.F.A. in history of art, the B.F.A. in fiber and textile arts, the B.F.A. in art video and the social science Ph.D. were all closed before the academic portfolio review.
These programs were included in the review’s outcomes because they were still listed in SU’s official New York State Education Department inventory, an SU spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Orange.
The report also announced several new consolidated majors, like a new history of art and architecture major, which will combine the history of art and the closed history of architecture majors. The new world languages and cultures major will replace SU’s French, German and Italian majors, which were also listed as closing.
All students in the sunsetted majors will have the chance to complete their degrees. At this time, no positions have currently been identified to be eliminated, Agnew wrote.
A list provided by the university to The Daily Orange detailed the majors with zero enrolled students. The university also provided The D.O. with a spreadsheet of the 93 degree progams that have been closed, paused or are “pausing,” organized by school or college, program title and degree type.
The D.O. broke down the findings of the portfolio review based on the information provided by SU and each affected program’s outcome, separated by undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
Portfolio review results
A breakdown of SU’s “sunsetted” programs by school and degree type
Undergraduate programs
17College of Arts and Sciences
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Classical civilization (B.A.) |
Closed |
|
| Classics (B.A.) |
Closed |
|
| Digital humanities (B.A.) * |
Closed |
|
| Earth sciences (B.S.) * |
Closed |
The geology B.S. replaced the earth science B.S. |
| Ethics (B.A.) * |
Closed |
The "teach-out" for the Ethics B.A. began in 2025. |
| Ethics (B.S.) * |
Closed |
The "teach-out" for the Ethics B.S. began in 2025. |
| Fine arts (B.A.) |
Closed |
The fine arts B.A. was offered at the College of Arts and Sciences. A B.F.A. and M.F.A. in studio art will continued to be offered at the College of Visual and Performing Arts. |
| French and Francophone studies (B.A.) |
Closed |
SU's French program will consolidate with other language and foreign culture majors to form the world languages and cultures B.A. |
| German language, literature, and culture (B.A.) |
Closed |
SU's German program will consolidate with other language and foreign culture majors to form the world languages and cultures B.A. |
| History of architecture (B.A.) |
Closed |
The history of architecture program will consolidate with the history of art program to become a renamed history of art and architecture program. |
| Italian language, literature and culture (B.A.) |
Closed |
SU's Italian program will consolidate with other language and foreign culture majors to form the world languages and cultures B.A. |
| Latino-Latin American studies (B.A.) |
Closed |
Courses in Latino-Latin American topics are still available. |
| Middle Eastern studies (B.A.) |
Closed |
Courses in Middle Eastern topics are still available. |
| Modern Jewish studies (B.A.) * |
Closed |
Courses in Modern Jewish topics are still available. |
| Russian language, literature and culture (B.A.) |
Closed |
Courses in Russian topics are still available. |
| Statistics (B.A.) |
Closed |
Statistics will now be a new track under SU's applied mathematics major. |
| Statistics (B.S.) |
Closed |
Statistics will now be a new track under SU's applied mathematics major. |
1School of Education
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Inclusive elementary and special education teacher prep (B.S.) |
Closed |
This program underwent a name change. It is now called the Inclusive Childhood Education B.S. |
13College of Visual and Performing Arts
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Art video (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program closed before SU's portfolio review. |
| Ceramics (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will continue as a concentration within a new B.F.A studio arts degree, separate of the currently-existing studio arts B.S. |
| Fiber and textile arts (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program closed before SU's portfolio review. |
| History of art (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program closed before SU's portfolio review. SU now offers a B.A. in history of art, and, after this year, will offer a consolidated history of art and architecture B.A. |
| Jewelry and metalsmithing (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will continue as a concentration within a new B.F.A studio arts degree, separate of the currently-existing studio arts B.S. |
| Painting (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will continue as a concentration within a new B.F.A studio arts degree, separate of the currently-existing studio arts B.S. |
| Printmaking (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will continue as a concentration within a new B.F.A studio arts degree, separate of the currently-existing studio arts B.S. |
| Sculpture (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will continue as a concentration within a new B.F.A studio arts degree, separate of the currently-existing studio arts B.S. |
| Special studies in art (B.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program closed before SU's portfolio review. |
| Music composition (Mus.B.) |
Closed |
This major will close, but is going to be "reimagining" the B.S. in music degree to include "flexible pathways." |
| Performance (Mus.B.) |
Closed |
This major will close, but is going to be "reimagining" the B.S. in music degree to include "flexible pathways." |
| Piano (Mus.B.) * |
Closed |
SU states that the piano Mus.B. will become a concentration within the performance B.Mus. |
| Sound recording technology (Mus.B.) |
Closed |
This major will close, but is going to be "reimagining" the B.S. in music degree to include "flexible pathways." |
1Engineering and Computer Science
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Systems and information science (B.S.) * |
Closed |
|
1Falk College of Sport
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Nutrition science (B.S.) |
Closed |
While Nutrition Science's B.S. is closing, a Nutrition B.S. is still available to students. SU is developing new tracks, such as applied nutrition and human health and performance. |
1School of Information Studies
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Innovation, society and technology (B.S.) |
Closed |
SU says IST is "under review for further direction" as a program that was paused, but now is closing. The report says IST has "substantial overlap" with the B.S. in information management and technology. |
1Unassigned
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Citizenship and civic engagement (B.A.) |
Closed |
This major was closed in 2025. SU now has an Office of Civic and Community Engagement at Maxwell, and offers a minor of the new office's namesake. |
1Whitman School of Management
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| General studies in management (B.S.) * |
Closed |
This program is formally closed due to "inactive program record maintenance," per SU's website. |
* 0 students enrolled
Graduate programs
1College of Law
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Law (S.J.D.) |
Closed |
This program is closed, but doctoral law programs like Law J.D.s and LL.M.s programs are still available. |
3College of Professional Studies
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Knowledge management (online) (B.P.S.) * |
Closed |
|
| Legal studies (B.P.S.) * |
Closed |
This program is formally closed due to "inactive program record maintenance," per SU's website. |
| Applied data and predictive analytics (B.P.S.) |
Paused |
This program is "in review for further direction," according to SU. |
4College of Visual and Performing Arts
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Art video (M.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program closed before SU's portfolio review. |
| Jewelry and metalsmithing (M.F.A.) * |
Closed |
This program will become consolidated as a concentration within the Studio Arts M.F.A. |
| Music composition (M.M.) |
Closed |
SU stated it is "reimagining the B.S. Music degree to include flexible pathways" for both its undergraduate Mus.B. and this graduate program. |
| Voice pedagogy (M.M.) |
Closed |
|
3Engineering and Computer Science
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Computational journalism (M.S., joint with Newhouse) * |
Closed |
|
| Computational science (M.S.) * |
Closed |
|
| Systems and information science (M.S.) * |
Closed |
|
3Falk College of Sport
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Applied human development and family science (M.A.) * |
Closed |
This program was closed prior to the academic portfolio review. The department of Human Development and Family Science is now at the College of Arts and Sciences. The M.S. in Human Development and Family Science is also not currently admitting students, according to SU's website. |
| Nutrition science (M.S.) |
Closed |
While Nutrition Science's M.S. is closing, a Nutrition Science M.A. is still offered to students. SU is developing new tracks, such as applied nutrition and human health and performance. |
| Sport venue and event management (M.S.) |
Closed |
This program stopped admitting students prior to academic portfolio review. |
1Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Social science (Ph.D.) |
Closed |
This program closed prior to the academic portfolio review. |
4Newhouse School of Public Communications
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Advertising (M.A.) * |
Closed |
The Newhouse School replaced the M.A. in advertising with an M.S. in advertising during the 2024 school year. |
| New media (M.S.) * |
Closed |
This program is formally closed due to "inactive program record maintenance," per SU's website. |
| Photography (M.A.) * |
Closed |
This program is listed as closed because Newhouse's current M.S. in multimedia, photography and design replaced the Photography M.A. |
| Television, radio and film (M.A.) * |
Closed |
This program is listed as closed because Newhouse's current M.S. in television, radio and film replaced the TRF M.A. |
2School of Education
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Educational leadership (M.S.) * |
Closed |
|
| Arts education: preparation (M.S.) |
Pausing |
This program is "pausing" because it is "in review for further direction," per SU's website. |
1School of Information Studies
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Information systems (online) (M.S.) |
Closed |
This program is closed due to "online program restructuring," per SU. |
* 0 students enrolled
Certificate programs (advanced and non-advanced)
4College of Arts and Sciences
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Child therapy * |
Closed |
|
| Child therapy (online) * |
Closed |
|
| Trauma-informed practice * |
Closed |
|
| Trauma-informed practice (online) * |
Closed |
|
7School of Education
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Educational leadership-companion * |
Closed |
|
| Principal preparation program pilot * |
Closed |
|
| School counseling |
Closed |
|
| School district business leader * |
Closed |
|
| School district business leader (N-Cert) * |
Closed |
|
| School district leader internship * |
Closed |
|
| Teaching and curriculum * |
Closed |
|
1College of Engineering and Computer Science
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Systems assurance * |
Closed |
|
6College of Professional Studies
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Creative leadership |
Closed |
Based on "market feedback," SU replaced this program with its organization development and leadership certificate. |
| Esports gaming * |
Closed |
|
| Healthcare administration * |
Closed |
|
| Mobile application development |
Closed |
This program is formally closed due to "inactive program record maintenance," per SU's website. |
| Knowledge management (online) |
Closed |
|
| Full stack development |
Paused |
This program is "in review for further direction," according to SU. |
8Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Civil society organizations * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| European Union and contemporary Europe * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| Health services administration and policy |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| Latin American/Caribbean studies * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| Leadership in international and non-governmental organizations * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| Middle Eastern affairs * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| Public management and policy * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
| South Asian studies * |
Closed |
SU lists the note for this program's closure as "operational and demand alignment." |
7School of Information Studies
| Program |
Status |
Context provided by SU |
| Information technology management * |
Closed |
This program is closing as an advanced certificate, but will continue as an extension of the school's M.S. program, SU states. |
| Information technology management (online) * |
Closed |
This program is closing as an advanced certificate, but will continue as an extension of the school's M.S. program, SU states. |
| Cloud management * |
Closed |
This program was paused before, and is now closing. SU states it is "in review for further direction." |
| Data science * |
Closed |
This program was paused before, and is now closing. SU states it is "in review for further direction." |
| Data science (online) |
Closed |
This program was paused before, and is now closing. SU states it is "in review for further direction." |
| Information security management * |
Closed |
This program was paused before, and is now closing. SU states it is "in review for further direction." |
| Information security management (online) * |
Closed |
This program was paused before, and is now closing. SU states it is "in review for further direction." |
* 0 students enrolled
Source: Syracuse University Graphic by Brenne Sheehan
Note: The dataset provided by the university lists six programs — the Cloud management, data science, data science online, information security management and information security management advanced certificate programs, as well as the B.S. in Innovation, Society, and Technology — as “paused to closing.” This means the programs were paused and have decided to close. They are listed as “closed” on the above table.
Note: The document lists Citizenship and civic engagement (B.A.) as having an “unassigned” home college. The major was retired in 2025 by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Note: Two closed programs, the C.E. in computer engineering and the E.E. in electrical engineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, are not included in this table. These programs, which are older, dormant programs, have zero enrollees. SU is not closing its B.S. in computer engineering or its B.S. in electrical engineering.
The portfolio review, announced in August by Agnew, reevaluated programs, degrees and majors with the deans of its 13 schools and colleges throughout the fall 2025 semester.
Deans were provided “detailed data,” including enrollment trends, course data and faculty information to inform their recommendations, Agnew wrote in her initial review announcement.
In her Wednesday email, Agnew urged those with questions to talk to their school’s respective deans.
Published on April 2, 2026 at 1:41 am
Contact Brenne: bsheeh03@syr.edu
