News Center

Published January 14, 2026

MONROE, La. — The University of Louisiana Monroe has completed a comprehensive, campus-wide review of its academic programs as part of an ongoing commitment to ensure that every degree program and support division operates efficiently, aligns with workforce demands, and prepares students for meaningful careers. These academic program reviews will continue on a regular basis as industry needs, enrollment patterns, and labor market conditions evolve. In addition, ULM will be evaluating non-academic and support units to ensure resources across the institution are focused on maximizing student success.

This review represents one of the most extensive institutional evaluations in ULM’s history and reflects a strategic commitment to transparency, data-informed decision-making, and continuous improvement. The process examined multiple years of historical and comparative data, including recruitment, retention, graduation rates, and job placement outcomes, as well as labor market analytics and workforce projections. Industry input and tools such as Lightcast job market data were also used to assess alignment between academic offerings and current and emerging employment opportunities.

The review underscored the overall strength of ULM’s academic offerings and provided a framework for ensuring all programs continue to evolve alongside workforce and industry needs. University leadership will continue working with several programs to strengthen outcomes in areas such as recruitment, retention, and completion. Student success remains the guiding principle behind every decision.

As a result of this evaluation process, ULM will phase out five degree programs effective immediately: Agribusiness, Management, Modern Languages, Health Studies, and Gerontology. Beginning in fall 2026, the university will no longer admit new students into these programs.

This action does not represent a removal of all degree content. Courses associated with these programs will remain housed within their respective academic units, and many will continue to be offered as part of other degrees, concentrations, or credentials. For example, Spanish coursework will continue to be available, and management courses will remain integral to the Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum.

Current students enrolled in the affected programs will be fully supported and allowed to complete their degrees through formal teach-out plans. Students who remain continuously enrolled and make satisfactory academic progress will be able to finish their programs as planned. Individualized advising will help students map their path to completion or explore alternative degree options aligned with their career goals. A degree program will officially conclude only after the final enrolled student graduates.

“At ULM, student success is paramount to everything we do,” said Dr. Carrie L. Castille, ULM President. “This review reflects a careful, transparent, and data-driven approach to ensuring our academic offerings are relevant, valued, and aligned with today’s financial and industry landscape. “It is more about strengthening pathways that equip students for real jobs and real opportunities, and less about narrowing what already exists.”

Castille noted that these decisions were not taken lightly. “Agriculture has shaped most of my life’s work, so these decisions are not easy, especially when they involve areas like agribusiness that are personally meaningful to me,” said Castille. “Throughout this process, I have been in close conversation with our agriculture employers and community partners. They have consistently shared that today’s workforce needs are shifting and that success in modern agriculture increasingly relies on strong business skills. We are responding to that reality. A solid foundation in business is essential because agriculture is big business. Our goal is to ensure students receive the highest quality education and are fully prepared to meet evolving workforce demands.”

Dr. Michelle McEacharn, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized similar sentiments. “As someone who served as dean with direct oversight of a few of these programs, they are truly close to my heart. I have seen firsthand the dedication of our faculty and the passion of our students. While this makes the decision to phase out some programs difficult, I also recognize the significant shifts happening across the workforce. Our responsibility is to ensure that our academic offerings evolve in ways that position students for long‑term success, and this moment calls for aligning our programs with those emerging needs.”

In addition to program transitions, ULM will introduce three new degree programs beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year to address emerging workforce needs: a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Management, a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Sciences, and a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Organizational Leadership.

Further expanding access and opportunity, ULM signed an educational partnership agreement with Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) in July 2025. The agreement creates a streamlined pathway for students earning an Associate of Applied Science degree at LDCC to transfer to ULM and complete a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Organizational Leadership.

Guided by ULM’s strategic plan and aligned with the priorities of the University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the university will continue evaluating academic, support, and administrative functions to ensure resources are focused where students can achieve the greatest success and long-term impact.