Published on May 23, 2025
As part of NAIT's responsibility to offer relevant, high-quality, and sustainable programs, eighteen programs have been paused starting fall 2025 and fall 2026.
While these decisions were difficult, they reflect our commitment to ensuring NAIT continues to build a stronger future for our students, industry partners, and Alberta’s economy. Each paused program will now undergo a formal review, consistent with Advanced Education's established oversight process.
This review, which includes consultation with various stakeholder groups, will determine whether the program should evolve, resume, or be formally suspended.
Learn more in our May 15 news release.
What does a pause mean?
When a program is paused, it stops accepting new students. However, current students will continue their studies and have an opportunity to graduate. Applicants will be supported with personalized guidance to explore alternative NAIT programs or offered a full refund.
A pause triggers a formal review process that includes engagement with students, staff, industry partners, and other relevant stakeholders, depending on the program. This process will lead to one of several potential outcomes:
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The program may identify solutions and improvements to continue.
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The program may be redesigned or reimagined to better align with student needs, industry demand, accreditation changes and other influences.
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The program may be recommended for suspension.
This process ensures that all decisions are evidence-informed and in the best long-term interests of students, industry, Alberta's economy, and NAIT.
Why we're doing this
NAIT is committed to delivering programs that equip students for success and support Alberta's evolving workforce. To do that, our offerings must also be financially viable and able to scale to meet demand.
The paused programs are among our highest-cost offerings, with lower enrolment and/or completion rates. While some may serve emerging sectors, each will be carefully reviewed for its long-term potential.
Like other institutions across Canada, NAIT is navigating financial pressures—from reduced international tuition to rising costs and changing enrolment patterns. These challenges require us to think differently to ensure we can grow and lead.
More than a pause—this is about growth
As Alberta's economy evolves, so must NAIT. We're embracing new technologies, updating delivery models, and integrating emerging skills to meet the demands of today's—and tomorrow's—jobs.
Pausing programs isn't about quality or people—it's about priorities. It's a strategic step that allows us to invest in high-demand, sustainable offerings aligned with Alberta's future.
What's next
We will engage with our partners to explore the future of each paused program. These conversations will inform recommendations to NAIT's Academic Council and Board of Governors—and ultimately, the Ministry of Advanced Education for final decisions.
We are committed to transparency, clear communication, and support throughout this process.
Together, we can ensure NAIT continues to prepare learners who power thriving industries.
NAIT Launches Engagement Phase for Paused Programs
As part of NAIT's responsibility to offer relevant, high-quality, and sustainable programs, eighteen programs have been paused starting fall 2025 and fall 2026.
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