University of Chicago Pauses Admissions in Select PhD and Master’s Programs Amid Financial Strain
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The University of Chicago will temporarily halt admissions for a limited number of doctoral and master’s programs as it navigates ongoing budgetary challenges. The decision, impacting programs within the Harris School of Public Policy, the Crown School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, and several departments in the Division of the Arts & Humanities, is intended to allow for a structural review during the 2026-27 academic year.
The move reflects a broader trend of financial pressures facing higher education institutions, exacerbated in recent years by shifts in federal funding and student loan policies. A university spokesperson emphasized that currently enrolled students will not be affected by the admissions pause. “These unit-level decisions reflect each program’s specific context and long-term goals, with the aim of ensuring the highest-quality training for the next generation of scholars,” the spokesperson stated.
Budgetary Concerns Intensify at U. of C.
The University of Chicago has reportedly struggled with budget balancing for years, a situation that has worsened under the recent presidential administration. Officials have pointed to reductions in federal research funding and evolving policies surrounding student loans and international students as key contributing factors. The decision to pause admissions is part of a larger effort to address these financial realities and ensure the long-term health of the university.
Arts & Humanities Departments Heavily Impacted
Within the Division of the Arts & Humanities, eight departments will cease accepting applications altogether, according to an email from Dean Deborah Nelson obtained by the Chicago Tribune on August 13, 2025. The remaining seven departments will reduce the size of their incoming Ph.D. cohorts.
“To be anything but cautious at this moment of uncertainty and evolving fiscal realities would be irresponsible to both those students and our long-term health,” Nelson wrote to faculty. The decision follows the formation of five faculty advisory committees in June, tasked with identifying potential cost-cutting measures. However, Nelson clarified that the admissions pause was not a direct outcome of these committee recommendations.
Faculty Express Confusion and Disappointment
The decision has sparked a wave of confusion and frustration among faculty members. One professor in the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, and a member of the Ph.D. programs committee, expressed dismay, stating, “I found this decision to be extremely opaque and disappointing, and it’s hard for me to have much confidence in the process going forward.” The committee had unanimously voted against recommending any changes to admissions procedures.
Despite the pause, graduate students will continue to be admitted in the departments of art history, cinema and media studies, East Asian languages and civilizations, English language and literature, linguistics, music, and philosophy. Dean Nelson did not provide specifics regarding the extent of the cohort reductions in those departments.
Another professor, in the departments of classics and history, characterized the changes as “a betrayal of the values of the university.” “I’m shocked and dismayed,” the professor said. “The committee specifically recommended that the dean not implement a policy that would favor some departments and disfavor others, and the dean overrode the faculty recommendation.”
Departmental Value Questioned
The criteria used to determine which departments would continue admitting students included the number of applicants, undergraduate demand, tenure-track and career placements, according to Nelson’s email. This has led to concerns that the value of smaller, specialized departments is being overlooked.
A professor specializing in the literary and intellectual history of southern India defended the importance of their department, stating, “It’s with a certain amount of pride and satisfaction that I say that we’re the best department in our field, certainly in North America, arguably in the world.”
Faculty advisory committees are currently finalizing their broader cost-cutting proposals, slated for presentation to university officials by the end of August. These proposals extend beyond Ph.D. programs to include areas such as college teaching, division organization, languages, and master’s programs.
Dean Nelson concluded her communication by reaffirming her commitment to the university’s long-term excellence. “As dean, there is nothing more important to me than ensuring our long-term excellence in training scholars and artists who will help shape the future of the work to which we have dedicated our professional lives,” she wrote.
