ARTICLE 4.5. Doctoral Programs in Education [66040. - 66040.7.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 4.5.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66040. Section 66040.

The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (a) Since its adoption in 1960, the Master Plan for Higher Education has served the state exceedingly well, allowing California to create the largest and most distinguished higher education system in the nation. A key component of the Master Plan is the differentiation of mission and function, whereby doctoral and identified professional programs are limited to the University of California, with the provision that the California State University can provide doctoral education in joint doctoral degree programs with the University of California and independent California colleges and universities. This differentiation of function has allowed California to provide universal access to postsecondary education while preserving quality. (b) Because of the urgent need for well-prepared administrators to lead public school and community college reform efforts, the State of California is hereby making an exception to the differentiation of function in graduate education that assigns sole authority among the California public higher education segments to the University of California for awarding doctoral degrees independently. This exception to the Master Plan for Higher Education recognizes the urgency of meeting critical public school and community college leadership needs and the distinctive strengths and respective missions of the California State University and the University of California.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66040.3. Section 66040.3.

(a) Pursuant to Section 66040, and notwithstanding Section 66010.4, in order to meet specific educational leadership needs in the California public schools and community colleges, the California State University is authorized to award the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree as defined in this section. The authority to award degrees granted by this article is limited to the discipline of education. The Doctor of Education degree offered by the California State University shall be distinguished from doctoral degree programs at the University of California. (b) The Doctor of Education degree offered by the California State University shall be focused on preparing administrative leaders for California public elementary and secondary schools and community colleges and on the knowledge and skills needed by administrators to be effective leaders in California public schools and community colleges. The Doctor of Education degree offered by the California State University shall be offered through partnerships through which the California public elementary and secondary schools and community colleges shall participate substantively in program design, candidate recruitment and admissions, teaching, and program assessment and evaluation. This degree shall enable professionals to earn the degree while working full time. (c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or preclude the California Postsecondary Education Commission from exercising its authority under Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 66900) to review, evaluate, and make recommendations relating to, any and all programs established under this article.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66040.5. Section 66040.5.

With regard to funding the degree programs authorized in Section 66040.3, the California State University shall follow all of the following requirements: (a) Funding on a per full-time equivalent student (FTES) basis for each new student in these degree programs shall be funded from within the California State University’s enrollment growth levels as agreed to in the annual Budget Act. Enrollments in these programs shall not alter the California State University’s ratio of graduate instruction to total enrollment, and shall not come at the expense of enrollment growth in university undergraduate programs. Funding provided from the state for each FTES shall be at the agreed-upon marginal cost calculation that the California State University receives. (b) Each student in the programs authorized by this article shall be charged fees no higher than the rate charged for students in state-supported doctoral degree programs in education at the University of California, including joint Ed.D. programs of the California State University and the University of California. (c) The California State University shall provide any startup funding needed for the programs authorized by this article from within existing budgets for academic programs support, without diminishing the quality of program support offered to California State University undergraduate programs. Funding of these programs shall not result in reduced undergraduate enrollments at the California State University.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66040.7. Section 66040.7.

The California State University, the Department of Finance, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office shall jointly conduct a statewide evaluation of the new programs implemented under this article. The evaluation required by this section shall consider all of the following: (a) The number of new doctoral programs in education implemented, including information identifying the number of new programs, applicants, admissions, enrollments, degree recipients, time-to-degree, attrition, and public school and community college program partners. (b) The extent to which the programs established under this article are fulfilling identified state needs for training in educational leadership, including statewide supply and demand data that considers capacity at the University of California and in California’s independent colleges and universities. (c) Information on the place of employment of students and the subsequent job placement of graduates. (d) Any available evidence on the effects that the graduates of the programs are having on elementary and secondary school and community college reform efforts and on student achievement. (e) Program costs and the fund sources that were used to finance these programs, including a calculation of cost per degree awarded. (f) The costs of the programs to students, the amount of financial aid offered, and student debt levels of graduates of the programs. (g) The extent to which the programs established under this article are in compliance with the requirements of this article.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026