Students Sued Troy University Over AI Degree Program
Twelve students claim they were misled after the university terminated an in-person master's program.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Higher Education
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Twelve students have filed a lawsuit against Troy University in Montgomery County Circuit Court, alleging they were misled about the availability of an artificial intelligence master's degree program. The plaintiffs, most of whom reside in Montgomery, claim the university failed to disclose that it ended the program in late 2025.
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights concerns regarding transparency in university degree offerings and the support provided to students after significant curriculum changes. Affected students are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged misrepresentations regarding their academic path.
A total of 12 students filed the legal action, with 10 residing in Montgomery and two from Elmore and Lowndes counties. The program was officially shuttered on December 16, 2025, though students claim they were not notified until April 7, 2026.
The players
Troy University
This public university system in Alabama operates a campus in Montgomery and offers various undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The details
The students, who enrolled at the Troy University Montgomery campus in 2025, allege they were not informed that the artificial intelligence degree was no longer viable for several months after its termination. While the university eventually notified them in April 2026, it only offered a transfer to an online program, which the students claim did not meet their expectations for in-person support.
Timeline
Students enrolled at the Montgomery campus during 2025.
The university allegedly ended the AI program on December 16, 2025.
Students were notified of the program's unavailability on April 7, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed against the university this week.
Culture Shift
This lawsuit follows a pattern set by the U.S. Department of Education's gainful employment regulations by highlighting student efforts to hold higher education institutions accountable for program delivery. It reflects a growing demand for transparency in academic curriculum management as universities balance campus offerings with shifting educational trends.
Students currently enrolled in specialized degree programs should proactively confirm the status of their coursework directly with department heads to avoid unexpected disruptions. Those affected by similar curriculum changes may need to evaluate the practical differences between in-person and online program offerings in terms of career prospects.
The takeaway
Students should maintain clear written documentation of degree requirements and program promises when enrolling in specialized or emerging academic fields. If a program is unexpectedly discontinued, students should act quickly to understand their transfer rights or potential for tuition reimbursement.
Further reading
Learn more about academic accountability in Higher Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alabama News.
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