September 17, 2007

CSU offers new degrees
7 campuses add doctorates
By Caroline An Staff Writer

Seven universities in the California State system are offering doctorates this fall, nearly 50 years after the state's higher education master plan banned the practice.

The degree helps students who want to become school administrators, including principals, superintendents and community college presidents, said state Sen. Jack Scott.

The Pasadena Democrat authored a bill that allowed the 23-campus CSU system to offer doctorate degree programs.

Before this, the University of California's 10 campuses were the only public universities in the state allowed to grant doctorates.

"More students, more practicing professionals throughout the state, will now be able to get a doctorate," Scott said.

Traditionally, those seeking a doctorate had two options: attend an out-of-state college or private college, officials said.

Additionally, while some Cal State and UC campuses offered joint programs, officials felt that there was not enough committment by the UC system to develop those programs, said Clara Potes-Fellow, a CSU spokeswoman.

The Cal State doctorate program will be less research-oriented, which is the focus on the UC doctorate program, officials said.

Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State San Bernardino, Fresno State, Sacramento State, San Diego State and San Francisco State launched three- year programs this fall.

Five of the schools will offer preschool to 12th grade and community college specializations; Cal State Fullerton and San Bernardino plan to eventually offer the specializations.

Statewide, 148 students are enrolled at the seven campuses. Sixty percent of those students are women. The fee of $11,070 in 2007-08 and $11,844 in 2008-09 is comparable to the UC doctoral fee.

Four more campuses are expected to offer doctorates beginning the 2008-09 school year.

Cal Poly Pomona is slated to offer the degrees in fall 2009, officials said.

Barbara Way, interim dean of the college of letters and integrated studies, said with more principals and superintendents reaching retirement age over the next decade, there will be a shortage of administrators.

The college began offering a credential program focused on administrators five years ago, and is a popular option for students, she said.

"We have growing school districts in the Inland Empire," Way said. "Most people will have to be willing to drive east."

Phillip Perez, superintendent of Little Lake School District in Santa Fe Springs, said while a doctorate degree was not a necessity, it may "give an added edge" to some when applying for a job.

The doctorate represents the highest level for those in our field, he said.

"Education is always an asset," Perez added. "I do not feel we reach the point where we finish educating ourselves."

Perez received his doctorate from UCLA in 1988, and had the Cal State schools been offering the degree, he said he would have considered the option.

While officials are discussing the specific plan for Cal Poly, including whether to specialize on K-12 education or higher education, students will now have a much less expensive option by enrolling at a Cal State instead of local private universities, including the University of La Verne or Azusa Pacific Univeristy.