Penn State Recommends Closing 47 Degree Programs

Penn State has recommended closing 47 of its 403 undergraduate associate and bachelor’s degree programs after a university-wide review cited low enrollment, workforce considerations and program realignment. The recommendations affect 784 students—about 1.1% of Penn State’s undergraduates—and include 11 programs at University Park; nine programs have no enrolled students, and 24 would remain available through another Penn State college. The recommendations are not final: they must undergo Faculty Senate review before the provost makes decisions, and the university has not set an implementation timeline. Penn State says it will create teach-out plans to help affected students finish their degrees, which may take multiple academic years. The university also plans further reviews of some programs and additional investment in others.