Texas public universities have reduced the number of courses that satisfy general education requirements amid compliance efforts with a 2025 state law and ongoing political scrutiny.

The Texas A&M University System approved the removal of 350 course entries across its 11 universities during a board meeting last week. The changes eliminate options in areas such as women's and gender studies, LGBTQ literature, ethnic studies, and climate change from counting toward the required 42-credit core curriculum.

The University of Houston System cut roughly 40 percent of its core offerings, affecting about 133 courses systemwide. The University of Texas at Austin has proposed dropping 113 courses from its core list starting in spring 2027, including classes on topics like slavery, gender, race, and environmental history.

These adjustments stem from Senate Bill 37, which mandates that governing boards review core curricula at least every five years to ensure courses focus on foundational concepts for workforce preparation and civic life. The first review deadline is January 1, 2027.

Officials at the affected systems stated that the reviews were conducted course by course to meet statutory standards without eliminating the classes entirely. Removed courses remain available as electives or major requirements but no longer fulfill general education mandates for all undergraduates.

The moves follow similar actions at other Texas institutions and reflect broader efforts to streamline degree paths and reduce costs for students. Some universities have also ended related degree programs or individual courses in response to the law and associated reviews.