Texas universities purge core courses as political pressure takes its toll

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The Hill's Headlines (PM) - September 15, 2026

The Hill's Headlines (PM) - September 15, 2026

Public universities in Texas have dropped hundreds of courses from their core curricula — or altogether — amid rising political pressure over the last two years. 

Texas A&M University has removed 350 core listings across its system, many dealing with gender, race and other popular GOP targets. The University of Houston has nixed 133 classes from its core curricula, and the University of Texas, Austin, has dropped 113. 

Professors say students are missing out on subjects relevant to their future careers, and some educators are moving on to private schools, where political winds are less fierce. 

Students are required to take a select number of core classes in college in order to graduate. They typically choose from an array of courses to satisfy this requirement, but public universities are increasingly making optional selections that focus on women’s students, LGBTQ issues, climate change and other left-leaning concepts, leading to the possibility of less student interest in the topics. 

While these efforts have been ongoing in multiple red states, colleges in Texas are on the front lines as Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is able to appoint the members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which oversees all public universities in the state. 

Universities also must take into consideration a new law known as SB 37, passed last year, that says core classes at public universities need to cover “foundational” concepts for entering the workforce and civic........

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