Article 4.92 - Doctoral Programs - California Education Code

Sections (3)

§ 66046

Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 663, Sec. 1. (AB 656) Effective January 1, 2024.

As used in this article, the following definitions apply:

(a)“Chancellor” means the Chancellor of the CSU.

(b)“Chancellor’s office” means the office of the chancellor.

(c)“CSU” means the California State University.

(d)“President” means the President of the UC.

(e)“President’s office” means the office of the president.

(f)“Proposed doctoral program” means a proposed doctoral degree program at the CSU pursuant to this article.

(g)“Trustees” means the Trustees of the CSU.

(h)“UC” means the University of California.

§ 66046.1

Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 663, Sec. 1. (AB 656) Effective January 1, 2024.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1)Since its adoption in 1960, the Master Plan for Higher Education has served to create the largest and most distinguished higher education system in the nation. A key component of the Master Plan for Higher Education is the differentiation of mission and function of each public higher education sector to increase access and educational opportunity for Californians. The Master Plan has a provision that allows the CSU to offer doctoral education in joint doctoral programs with the UC and independent California colleges and universities.

(2)More recently, the CSU has received legislative authority to offer independent professional or applied doctoral degrees in areas where there is an identified workforce or accreditation need that may not be fulfilled through existing education opportunities in California.

(3)The State of California is granting the CSU authority to offer professional or applied doctoral degrees statewide that do not duplicate UC doctoral degrees as an exception to the differentiation of function in graduate education that assigns sole authority among the California higher education segments to UC for awarding doctoral degrees independently. This exception

to the Master Plan for Higher Education recognizes the distinctive strengths and respective missions of the CSU and the UC.

(b)Consistent with subdivision (a), and notwithstanding Section 66010.4, the CSU, in consultation with the president’s office, may award professional or applied doctoral degrees statewide that do not duplicate UC doctoral degrees. In implementing this article, the CSU shall comply with all of the following requirements:

(1)Enrollment in CSU professional or applied doctoral degree programs established pursuant to this article shall not diminish enrollment in CSU undergraduate

programs.

(2)CSU

professional or applied doctoral degree programs established pursuant to this article shall not duplicate UC doctoral degree programs that are offered or under review by the UC. A professional or applied doctoral degree program established pursuant to this article shall be distinguished from doctoral degree programs offered by the UC.

(3)The CSU shall establish fees for professional or applied doctoral degree programs established pursuant to this article that

shall be comparable to, but no higher than, those fees charged for UC doctoral degree programs.

(4)The CSU shall provide any startup and operational funding needed for professional or applied doctoral degree programs established pursuant to this article from within existing budgets for academic program support without diminishing the quality of program support offered for CSU undergraduate programs. Funding of professional or applied doctoral degree programs established pursuant to this article shall not result in reduced CSU undergraduate enrollment.

§ 66046.3

Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 663, Sec. 1. (AB 656) Effective January 1, 2024. Inoperative December 31, 2030, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2031, by its own provisions.

(a)The Legislative Analyst’s Office shall conduct a statewide evaluation of the doctoral degree programs authorized pursuant to this article.

(b)On or before December 31, 2028, the Legislative Analyst’s Office shall submit a report, pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, to the Legislature and the Governor on the results of the evaluation.

(c)(1) The evaluation and report shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following information on the doctoral degree programs authorized pursuant to this article:

(A) The number of CSU campuses that proposed doctoral degree

programs.

(B) The types of doctoral degree programs proposed by CSU campuses.

(D) The number of doctoral degree programs implemented.

(E) The number of doctoral degree program proposals that received objections from UC, what the objections were, and how the objections were resolved.

(F) Enrollment and completion information on implemented doctoral degree programs.

(G) The impact of expanded doctoral degrees at the CSU pursuant to this article on the accessibility, quality, and affordability of higher education in California.

(2)The report described in paragraph (1) shall include information on the impact of expanded professional doctoral education at CSU on the accessibility, quality, and affordability of higher education in California.

(d)Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall become inoperative on December 31, 2030, and as of January 1, 2031, is repealed.