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Texas A&M Ends Women's and Gender Studies Degree Program
University cites costs, low enrollment as reasons for program closure amid new curriculum restrictions.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 3:47pm
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Texas A&M University has announced it will be ending its women's and gender studies degree program, citing costs, low enrollment, and new school restrictions on curriculum topics related to gender and sexuality. The university said current students will be allowed to complete their degrees, but the interdisciplinary program will be discontinued.
Why it matters
The closure of the women's and gender studies program at Texas A&M is part of a broader debate over gender and sexuality in higher education, with the university facing pressure from state leaders to limit certain curriculum topics. This decision reflects a growing trend of political influence over academic freedom and the ability of universities to offer diverse perspectives.
The details
In an internal email, A&M's interim president and a senior executive cited the need to be 'good stewards of public money' and the ongoing investment required for even small programs as reasons for the closure. The university has also canceled six courses and updated hundreds of syllabi across 17 colleges and schools to adhere to new guidelines barring instruction on 'race or gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity'.
- On January 31, 2026, Texas A&M University announced it will end the school's women's and gender studies degree program.
- In the summer of 2025, a student challenged a professor over gender identity content in a children's literature course, leading to the professor's dismissal and the university president's resignation.
The players
Texas A&M University
A public research university located in College Station, Texas, that has been at the center of political debates over gender and sexuality in higher education.
Tommy Williams
The interim president of Texas A&M University who, along with a senior executive, cited costs and low enrollment as reasons for ending the women's and gender studies degree program.
Cynthia Werner
The senior executive associate at Texas A&M University who, along with the interim president, announced the closure of the women's and gender studies degree program.
What they’re saying
“We know this is devastating news. One of the primary duties of university administrators is to be good stewards of public money. Even the smallest programs require ongoing investment in faculty time, staff support, and administrative oversight.”
— Tommy Williams, Interim President
What’s next
The university said that current students in the women's and gender studies program will be allowed to complete their degrees, but the program will be discontinued going forward.
The takeaway
The closure of the women's and gender studies program at Texas A&M is part of a broader trend of political influence over academic freedom and curriculum in higher education, as universities face pressure to limit certain topics related to gender and sexuality.
