CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa has received approval from the Iowa Board of Regents to move forward with two academic restructuring actions that reflect UNI’s ongoing commitment to strengthen the humanities and expand interdisciplinary public service education.

The Department of Philosophy and World Religions will join the Department of History, bringing together two closely connected disciplines under one collaborative academic unit. Separately, the Department of Political Science, the Criminology and Criminal Justice program and the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development program have joined to form a new School of Public Affairs and Service.

“These actions reflect UNI’s focus on academic programs that prepare students for meaningful careers while serving the public good,” said Provost José Herrera. “They strengthen our ability to connect classroom learning with real-world experience and equip students with the adaptable skills needed in today’s workforce.”

Humanities merger

The movement of Philosophy and World Religions into the Department of History will strengthen interdisciplinary learning and create new opportunities for students and faculty in the humanities. It builds on existing collaborations between the two departments, including their joint leadership in securing a $2.4 million Mellon Foundation grant to establish the UNI Humanities Hub, which strengthens career preparation across humanities majors by embedding internships into courses and expanding partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community partners and employers. The initiative underscores the value of humanities degrees while helping students connect classroom learning with practical, real-world experience.

"We are excited to join our colleagues in the Department of History," said Michael Graziano, head of the Department of Philosophy and World Religions. “History, philosophy and religious studies complement one another, and bringing our faculty and students together will strengthen our curriculum and create more meaningful opportunities for our students.”

The board also approved a revised ethics, philosophy and religion major, to be implemented in fall 2027, which will focus on professional applications and draw on longstanding partnerships with the Wilson College of Business. “If you want to work with the Humanities, UNI is the place to be," said Graziano.

“While each program will maintain discipline-specific coursework, the faculty are eager to explore new opportunities to build courses and curriculum that underscore the essential value of the humanities in the classroom and beyond, particularly as boosted by the creation of the new Humanities Hub. Students in history, philosophy, and religious studies will benefit both from our new partnership and from paid internships that allow them to develop job-ready skills,” said Jennifer McNabb, head of the Department of History.

Implementation planning is underway, with the departments expected to fully merge over the next academic year.

School of Public Affairs and Service

In a separate action, the Department of Political Science and the Criminology and Criminal Justice program have joined to form a new School of Public Affairs and Service. In addition to undergraduate programs in criminology and criminal justice, political science, public administration, and political communication, the school includes the Master of Public Policy Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development programs.

The interdisciplinary school is dedicated to responding to societal needs through innovative solutions, community partnerships and critical analysis while preparing skilled public service professionals and civic-minded thinkers. By bringing these disciplines together, the school offers a broader approach to understanding society, public policy and justice systems. Students gain the knowledge and practical experience needed for careers in government, criminal justice, nonprofit organizations and community leadership.

“This new school brings together disciplines that share a commitment to public problem-solving,” said Scott Peters, director of the School of Public Affairs and Service. “By bringing these programs together, we are creating a stronger, more integrated approach to preparing students for careers in public service. Our students will graduate with the knowledge, skills and real-world experience needed to serve their communities, engage in critical dialogue and advance the public good.”

The school’s faculty are committed to scholarship that benefits the public good and student-first teaching that creates new curricular opportunities, including stronger connections between public administration and criminology. Bringing together the Master of Public Policy and the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development MA programs together within the same school adds further synergies for public and nonprofit sector career advancement.