URI offering New Undergraduate, Graduate Programs for the 2026-27 year

New undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to provide greater flexibility while responding to changing workforce needs.

Fall semester classes begin Sept. 9 at the University of Rhode Island, where students will find several new degree programs, certificates and areas of specialization for the 2026–27 academic year.

New undergraduate offerings include bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Arts and Humanities, Environmental Engineering, and Learning and Education in Action. URI has also added a master’s degree in Applied Science Communication.

The College of Engineering is introducing several options, including new tracks within its bachelor’s degree program in biomedical engineering, a minor in aerospace engineering, and an undergraduate certificate in AI and machine learning for engineering applications.

More online opportunities

URI is expanding its online offerings with two fully online master’s degree programs in Health Professions Education and Engineering Management and Leadership.

Eight new graduate certificates will also be available entirely online:

• Leadership in Sports Management
• Health Professions Education
• Industry 4.0
• Prevention Science and Human Development
• Organizational Leadership
• Multilingual Learner Education
• English Language Development
• Public Finance and Budgeting (MPA)

MBA students may now pursue the online “Blue MBA,” a new specialization within URI’s MBA program.

The College of Business, in partnership with URI Online, is also adding a certificate and specialization in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, along with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Studies.

The Feinstein College of Education is launching a new online Doctor of Education program in partnership with URI Online.

URI Online is also introducing lower tuition rates for all online graduate degrees and certificates, as well as reduced tuition for the undergraduate RN-to-BSN program.

“With both new and expanded online offerings, online education is a significant area of growth for the University,” said Heather Sharpes-Smith, executive director of URI Online.

URI Online now offers 49 undergraduate and graduate programs across the University, including 10 programs launching during the new academic year. Offerings range from undergraduate certificates through doctoral degrees, with accelerated seven-week and traditional 14-week formats designed for working professionals and other students seeking more flexible paths to a degree.

“These programs are offered in partnership with URI’s academic colleges and reflect the collaborative nature of URI’s growing online portfolio,” Sharpes-Smith said.

Coming next at URI

More programs are planned for 2027.

Beginning in the spring semester, URI’s Department of Film/Media will add a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree to its existing Bachelor of Arts option.

The University has also begun recruiting students for new Ph.D. programs in Computational Social Science and Accounting, as well as a fully online graduate certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics. Visit the URI Graduate School for additional information.

URI offers a broad selection of undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates and minors, offered both in person and online. Additional options are available through the University’s program finder.

Photo, top: URI is offering several new programs for the 2026-27 year, which begins on Sept. 9. (URI Photo / Gianna Fendrich)