Texas Tech students who start in fall 2027 will have fewer classes to choose from when they fill their general-education requirements. The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents approved a revised core curriculum Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Lubbock, removing 21 of the 172 courses on Texas Tech’s core list and leaving 151.
The numbers came from Regent Shelley Sweatt, who chairs the board’s Academic, Clinical and Student Affairs Committee, as reported by The Texas Tribune and The Daily Toreador. The committee approved the revised lists unanimously, with no questions or discussion in open session, the Toreador reported.
Which classes came off
The board didn’t publish a list of removed courses. Reporters compared the new list with the current catalog. Courses no longer on the core list include, per Lubbock Lights and the Tribune:
- The Holocaust in Literature and Film (GERM 2312)
- Literature, Social Justice, and the Environment (ENGL 2310)
- Intersectionalities: Race, Class, and Gender in a Global World (WGS 2305)
- Belonging and Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (HRDV 2303)
The Toreador also listed “Environmental Science as a Social Pursuit” and “Life Span Human Development” among the removals. The Tribune noted the new list includes “Introduction to Women’s Studies,” while this year’s list had “Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies,” and said it’s unclear whether that class was renamed, changed or replaced.
What it means for students
Sweatt stressed two points, according to the Tribune and the Toreador. First, “removing a course from the core is not the same as removing it from the catalog.” Many of these classes will still be offered as electives or as part of a major or minor, she said. Second, the change applies to students starting in fall 2027. Students already enrolled and advised for this year see no change this spring.
The total core requirement stays at 42 credit hours. Students using the fall 2027 list will just need to pick other courses to meet those requirements. Lubbock Lights suggests checking your catalog year and degree audit in DegreeWorks and asking an adviser how the change applies to courses you’ve taken or planned.
Why this happened
The review comes from Senate Bill 37, a 2025 state law written by Brandon Creighton when he was a state senator. He’s now the Texas Tech System chancellor. The law requires governing boards to review core classes at least every five years and certify that each one is foundational, prepares students for civic and professional life and the workforce, and provides breadth of knowledge.
Sweatt said faculty committees and academic leaders at each university began reviewing every core course in May and removed those that didn’t meet the standards or are no longer regularly taught; the chancellor’s office then reviewed the lists course by course. The Tribune noted the law does not require removing classes on particular subjects. Supporters say the oversight keeps classes focused on students without promoting political viewpoints; critics say it invites political interference.
Angelo State and Midwestern State, too
The same vote covered the system’s other two general academic universities. Angelo State in San Angelo dropped 15 of 117 core courses and Midwestern State in Wichita Falls dropped 13, leaving 102 and 94 courses, according to Sweatt. The system is scheduled to certify the changes to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and legislative committees by Jan. 1, 2027.
What’s next
- Statewide review: The Coordinating Board is scheduled Monday to review a state advisory committee’s recommendations on general-education requirements, the Tribune reported.
- New regents: Chair Cody Campbell’s and Regent Arcilia Acosta’s terms expire Jan. 31, and a third seat is vacant, giving Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa up to three appointments to the nine-member board, subject to Senate confirmation.
- Student survey: Texas Tech’s Student Senate voted Nov. 5 to survey students about the system’s course restrictions, the Tribune reported, citing the Toreador.
We asked the Texas Tech University System why individual courses were removed and which will remain available as electives. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
Sources
- The Texas Tribune, Jessica Priest, Nov. 11, 2026: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/11/11/texas-tech-class-offerings-student-survey/
- Lubbock Lights, Benji Snead, Nov. 11, 2026: https://lubbocklights.com/texas-tech-cuts-core-credit-for-21-courses-some-on-race-and-gender/
- The Daily Toreador, Noah Davila, Nov. 12, 2026: https://www.dailytoreador.com/article/board-of-regents-approve-removal-of-21-courses-from-core-curriculum-at-tech-20261112
- TTUS Board of Regents agenda book, Nov. 11, 2026: https://www.texastech.edu/board-of-regents/november-2026/Agenda-Book-Nov11-2026.pdf