KINGSTON, R.I. – Aug. 20, 2026 – Fall semester classes begin at the University of Rhode Island on Sept. 9, with the state’s flagship public research university offering several new programs this academic year.
Among new undergraduate options, the University will offer bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Arts and Humanities, Environmental Engineering, and in Learning and Education in Action. URI is also offering a new master’s degree in Applied Science Communication.
In addition, the College of Engineering is offering new tracks in its biomedical engineering bachelor’s degree program, an aerospace engineering minor, and a new undergraduate certificate in AI/machine learning for engineering application.
Expanding online opportunities
The University is also offering two new fully online master’s degrees this fall, in Health Professions Education and Engineering Management and Leadership. It is offering eight new graduate certificates, all fully online, in Leadership in Sports Management, Health Professions Education, Industry 4.0, Prevention Science and Human Development, Organizational Leadership, Multilingual Learner Education, English Language Development, and Public Finance and Budgeting (MPA).
MBA students can also now attain an online “Blue MBA,” a specialization in URI’s MBA program.
Also new this year are a certificate and specialization in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in the College of Business, in partnership with URI Online, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Studies.
The Feinstein College of Education is offering a new online Doctorate of Education program, with URI Online.
Additionally, URI Online is introducing new, lower tuition rates across all online graduate degrees and certificates, along with a reduced tuition rate 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, which offers programs for undergraduate and graduate students, now offers 49 undergraduate and graduate programs across the University, including ten new programs launching this academic year. URI Online programs range from undergraduate certificates to doctorates, in accelerated and standard formats. Online offerings span certificates through doctoral programs and include accelerated seven-week and 14-week formats for working professionals and other students seeking flexible pathways.
“These programs are offered in partnership with URI’s academic colleges and reflect the collaborative nature of URI’s growing online portfolio,” said Sharpes-Smith.
Future URI
Looking ahead to 2027, URI’s Department of Film/Media will be offering a BFA degree starting in the spring semester, in addition to its BA degree option.
The University is also beginning recruitment for some programs that will launch in 2027, for new Ph.D. programs in Computational Social Science and Accounting, and a fully online graduate certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics. See the URI Graduate School for more information.
URI offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate academic degrees, certificates, and minors, both in-person and online. To learn more, visit our program finder.