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University of Alabama System committee approves new AI bachelor and leadership degree requests, consolidates doctoral programs
Summary
The Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee approved a final Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence at UA, initial approval for a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, and administrative items that merge several doctoral programs into unified degrees; approvals were taken by voice vote. (Dr. Tanganita Johnson; Dr. Leslie Reed)
The University of Alabama System’s Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee approved several academic program actions for the system’s campuses, including a final approval of a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Alabama and initial approval for a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
Dr. Tanganita Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, told trustees that UA’s AI bachelor’s degree had received initial approval at the board’s November 2025 meeting and was reviewed by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education on March 13, 2026; with final approval, UA plans to implement the program in fall 2026. "This program is expected to prepare graduates for a wide range of careers as outlined in the resolution," Dr. Johnson said.
UA Interim Provost Dr. Leslie Reed presented the request for initial approval of the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, which the board heard is intended to launch in the School of Leadership and Policy and to emphasize ethical leadership, team dynamics and organizational analysis. Dr. Reed said the program is planned for a fall 2027 start and will prepare students for careers in management as well as graduate study.
Separately, the committee recommended approval of several administrative academic items at UA, including consolidation of existing Ph.D. programs in accounting, finance, management and marketing into a single doctoral program in business administration with concentrations, and creation of a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Statistics and Operations Management. Dr. Johnson told trustees the consolidations are intended to strengthen program viability, allow more selective admissions, and cause "minimal impact on existing students and faculty."
The committee approved the individual and administrative action items by voice vote. Materials provided to trustees noted required approvals from external reviewers where applicable and implementation timelines for the new programs. The committee also recommended and the board approved several endowed professorships and the appointment of an endowed chair in rural nursing.
What happens next: the approved programs will move to implementation as described in committee materials, with UA’s AI bachelor’s program scheduled for fall 2026 and the organizational leadership program proposed for fall 2027.
