The Church Educational System (CES) Board of Trustees has approved several structural changes to academic departments and colleges at Brigham Young University–Idaho. These adjustments are intended to strengthen collaboration among related programs, enhance recruitment efforts, support a college focused on health professions, and allow some faculty members currently serving in administrative roles to return to teaching.
Importantly, these changes will not affect any student’s ability to complete their declared major.
The following changes are in effect January 1, 2026:
Updates to College Names
- The College of Physical Sciences and Engineering will be renamed the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
- The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will be renamed the College of Health and Life Sciences.
College and Department Realignments
- The Department of Applied Plant Science will merge with the Department of Animal and Food Science to form the new Department of Agriculture and Food Science.
- The new Department of Agriculture and Food Science will be part of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Program Adjustments within Health and Life Sciences
- The Department of Health Services will be discontinued. Its academic programs will move to the following departments:
- Public Health will combine with Nursing to become the Department of Public Health and Nursing in the College of Health and Life Sciences.
- Health Care Administration will move to the Department of Business Management in the College of Business and Communication.
- Occupational Safety and Health will move to the Department of Design and Construction Management in the College of STEM.
Changes in Teacher Preparation
- The Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education will be renamed the Department of Teacher Preparation.
- The Dean of Teacher Preparation will transition to the role of Associate Dean of Teacher Preparation within the College of Education and Human Development.