You Can No Longer Major in Philosophy in Wyoming

The University of Wyoming is set to become an outlier in higher education—and not in a way philosophers are cheering. Starting in fall 2027, new students will no longer be able to major in philosophy, reports the Daily Nous, a website that covers the philosophy profession in academia. In a social media post, UW prof Bradley Retter says the move will make Wyoming the only state where students cannot get a bachelor's in philosophy, and it will make UW "the only stage flagship university" without such a major.

The timing might have prospective majors scratching their chins: Over the last month, both the Economist and the New York Times reported that AI labs have been hiring philosophers to help them navigate ethical issues with their tech. At UW, undergraduates will have access only to a combined "philosophy and religion" major. A standalone major for religious studies is also disappearing. The changes arrive as UW faces a $15 million budget shortfall, though it wasn't clear whether faculty cuts will follow.