ACADEMIC SENATE
OF
T
HE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
March 16-17, 2023
CALIFORNIA’S FUTURE ECONOMIC STRENGTH DEPENDS ON INVESTING IN
PUBLIC GRADUATE EDUCATION TODAY
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU) urge
the Governor and Legislature of the State of California; the California State
University’s Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor, and Faculty; the
University of California’s Regents, President, and Faculty; and California’s
business and industry leaders to: i) acknowledge that California’s future
economic strength depends on investing in public graduate education
today, and ii) support funding and policies to ensure that California’s public
post-baccalaureate and graduate education programs retain the excellence
they have achieved and remain competitive in their ability to attract the
very best students from within California, across the nation and around the
world; and be it further
R
ESOLVED: That the ASCSU re-affirm Actions to Support Graduate Education in the
California State University (AS-3286-17/AA [Rev]) which acknowledged that
the
CSU Masters’ Degree Program Quantitative Characteristics Report
underscored the important need to address prior ASCSU recommendations
on public graduate education in the CSU contained in:
(1) R
eaffirming the Importance of Graduate, Post Baccalaureate, and
Credential Programs and Access to Those Programs - AS-3122-
13/AA (Rev);
(2) Graduate Education Development in the California State University
(CSU) - AS-2790-07/AA (Rev);
(3) The Place of Graduate Education in the CSU (2006 report of the
CSU Academic Council – Attachment to AS-2790-07/AA [Rev]);
(4) Recommendation on the Report from the Task Force on Graduate
and PostBaccalaureate Education in the California State University
(AS-2652-04/EX – Attachment to AS-2790-07/AA [Rev]);
(5) Rethinking Graduate Education in the CSU: Meeting the Needs of
the People of California for Graduate Education in the 21st Century
(2004 Report of the Task Force on Graduate and Post-
baccalaureate Education in the CSU);
(6) New Study of Post-Baccalaureate Programs in the CSU - AS-2534-
01/AA
; and be it further
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 2 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
R
ESOLVED: That the ASCSU urge that an
ASCSU/CSU Task Force on Graduate
Education in the CSU
be formed without delay to ensure that prior
recommendations or any relevant reports created by the ASCSU or by
campuses and any continuing concerns are collectively addressed,
strategically prioritized, and support mechanisms put in place; and be it
further
R
ESOLVED: That the ASCSU distribute this resolution to the Governor of California,
Legislative Leadership of California, CSU Board of Trustees, CSU Chancellor,
CSU Chancellor’s office, CSU campus Presidents, CSU campus Senate
Chairs, CSU campus Senate Executive Committees, CSU Provosts/Vice
Presidents of Academic Affairs, California Faculty Association (CFA),
California State Student Association (CSSA), CSU Emeritus and Retired
Faculty & Staff Association (CSU-ERFSA), Academic Senate for the California
Community Colleges, Academic Senate of the University of California,
California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors, and the University of
California Board of Regents.
R
ATIONALE
: The ASCSU reaffirm resolutions in the resolved clauses above
and cite from the references below in order to convey the significance of
graduate education as value-added outcome for public higher education in
California. California’s future economic strength and cultural vitality depend
fundamentally on a workforce with advanced training. The state of
California faces an increasing challenge in its ability to meet this need in the
areas of biotechnology, telecommunications, engineering, computer
science, multimedia and the digital arts, education, management, health
care, microelectronics and in many other professions that require advanced
degrees.
Attachment A below presents the value-added role of graduate education
in the California State University (CSU) and the state of California. The
Master Plan for Higher Education in California codified the role of graduate
education in the CSU; however, in the intervening years this role has
expanded and diversified and workforce demands and professional
expectations evolved. Graduate education is vital to the CSU as it supports
regional and statewide workforce needs for the expanding California 21
st
century economy. The CSU’s cost-effective, high-quality graduate programs
provide opportunities for California’s diverse population to achieve upward
mobility. Strong graduate programs also support undergraduate success
and enhance CSU faculty work. Finally, robust master’s degree programs in
the CSU help prepare future faculty members for doctoral programs.
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 3 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
References:
(1)
Reaffirming the Importance of Graduate, Post Baccalaureate, and
Credential Programs and Access to Those Programs - AS-3122-13/AA
(Rev)
(2)
Graduate Education Development in the California State University
(AS-2790-07/AA [Rev])
(3)
The Place of Graduate Education in the CSU (2006 report of the CSU
Academic Council Report – Attachment to AS-2790-07/AA [Rev])
(4)
Recommendation on the Report from the Task Force on Graduate
and PostBaccalaureate Education in the California State University
(AS-2652-04/EX – Attachment to AS-2790-07/AA [Rev])
(5)
Rethinking Graduate Education in the CSU: Meeting the Needs of the
People of California for Graduate Education in the 21st Century (2004
Report of the Task Force on Graduate and Post-baccalaureate
Education in the CSU)
(6)
New Study of Post-Baccalaureate Programs in the CSU (AS-2534-
01/AA)
(7)
University of California Concurrent Resolution on Graduate Education
(8)
CSU Board of Trustees, Committee on Educational Policy, Graduate
Education in the CSU presentation by Executive Vice Chancellor of
Academic and Student Affairs, Sylvia A. Alva and Assistant Vice
Chancellor Brent M. Foster
Approved – May 19-20, 2023
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 4 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
ATTACHMENT A
CSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 24-25, 2023
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY
Graduate Education in the CSU
Presentation By
Sylvia A. Alva
Executive Vice Chancellor
Academic and Student Affairs
Brent M. Foster
Assistant Vice Chancellor and State University Dean
Academic Programs
Summary
This information item presents the role of graduate education in the California State
University (CSU) and the state of California. The Master Plan for Higher Education in
California codified the role of graduate education in the CSU; however, in the intervening
years this role has expanded and diversified and workforce demands and professional
expectations evolved. Graduate education is vital to the CSU as it supports regional and
statewide workforce needs for the expanding California 21
st
century economy. The CSU’s
cost-effective, high-quality graduate programs provide opportunities for California’s
diverse population to achieve upward mobility. Strong graduate programs also support
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 5 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
undergraduate success and enhance CSU faculty work. Finally, robust master’s degree
programs in the CSU help prepare future faculty members for doctoral programs.
Background
Graduate programs are taking on greater significance in California and the nation. An
increasing number of careers require an advanced degree, and graduate degrees are
often required to keep knowledge, training and skills current. According to the National
Association of Colleges and Employers (2022), the average starting salary for an individual
with a master’s degree will net an additional 22% or more per year than individuals with
only a bachelor’s degree. Those with professional or doctoral degrees, on average, earn
even higher wages.
The following chart, based on data from the California Employment Development
Department, demonstrates the anticipated growth in California jobs that require a
master’s degree from 2020 through 2030.
CSU Graduate Programs
The CSU provides graduate programs in the disciplines that represent the greatest
regional, state and national need, including nearly every one of the areas listed in the
chart above. Graduate programs produce students with advanced training that will drive
California’s future workforce. In addition, those with graduate degrees offer other benefits
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 6 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
to communities as civic leaders or by bringing special qualities to the arts, culture and
general discourse of their communities.
Graduate degrees in the CSU are comprised of both master’s and doctoral programs.
There are also numerous combined-degree and certificate or credential programs at many
universities. Based on the Master Plan for Higher Education in California, the primary
mission of the CSU is undergraduate education and graduate instruction through the
master's degree. The CSU is also authorized to offer joint doctoral degrees with the
University of California (UC), or with one or more independent institutions of higher
education. The CSU also enrolls a number of post-baccalaureate credential-seeking
students. These post-baccalaureate students – the majority of whom are seeking a
teaching credential – are also critical to the CSU mission of meeting California’s statewide
and regional workforce needs.
Doctoral Programs
Doctoral degrees, the highest earned terminal degree, can be professional or academic
in nature. Academic doctoral degrees (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy) focus on advancing
knowledge through original research in a given academic field. Professional doctoral
degrees (e.g., Doctor of Education) stress the practical application of knowledge and
skills. Doctorate degrees typically take three to six years to complete.
The CSU has sought legislative authority to offer independent professional doctoral
degrees in areas where there is an identified workforce or accreditation need that may
not be fulfilled through existing educational opportunities in California. Currently, the CSU
is authorized to offer the following independent doctoral degrees:
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 7 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
CSU
Degree
Discipline
Bakersfield
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Bakersfield
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
East Bay
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Fresno
DNP
Nursing Practice
Fresno
DPT
Physical Therapy
Fresno
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Fresno
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Fullerton
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Fullerton
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Fullerton
DNP
Nursing Practice
Long Beach
DPT
Physical Therapy
Long Beach
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Long Beach
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Long Beach
DNP
Nursing Practice
Los Angeles
AuD
Audiology
Los Angeles
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Los Angeles
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Los Angeles
DNP
Nursing Practice
Northridge
AuD
Audiology
Northridge
DPT
Physical Therapy
Northridge
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Northridge
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Pomona
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Pomona
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Sacramento
AuD
Audiology
Sacramento
DPT
Physical Therapy
Sacramento
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Sacramento
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
San Bernardino
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
San Bernardino
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
San Diego
AuD
Audiology
San Diego
DPT
Physical Therapy
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 8 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
San Diego
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
San Diego
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
San Francisco
DPT
Physical Therapy
San Francisco
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
San Francisco
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
San Jose
AuD
Audiology
San Jose
DNP
Nursing Practice
San Jose
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
San Jose
OTD
Occupational Therapy
Stanislaus
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (Community
College)
Stanislaus
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership (PK-12)
Additionally, the CSU is finalizing authority to offer an independent Doctor of Public Health
(DrPH) to cultivate experts in community public health in light of the global pandemic and
the greater realization of workforce disparities in public health.
In addition to select independent professional doctoral degrees, the CSU is authorized by
California Education Code to offer joint doctoral programs with other accredited California
universities. Joint doctoral programs are created when there is a demonstrated need for
a degree that is not being met by an existing Ph.D. program, or, in the case of the juris
doctor, to create an accelerated pathway for eligible students to complete their advanced
coursework simultaneously. Currently, there are 23 active joint Ph.D. programs, four joint
J.D. programs and one joint Ed.D. available with the CSU.
Partner
Degree
Discipline
Claremont Graduate
University
Ph.D.
Engineering and
Industrial Applied
Mathematics
UC Los Angeles
Ph.D.
Special Education
UC Santa Barbara
Ph.D.
Public History
California Western School
of Law
M.S.W./J.D.
Social Work
(Administration &
Community Development)
California Western School
of Law
M.S.W./J.D.
Social Work (Direct
Practice)
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 9 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
California Western School
of Law
MBA/J.D.
Business and
Management
Claremont Graduate
University
Ph.D.
Education
UC Davis
Ph.D.
Ecology
UC Irvine
Ph.D.
Computational Science
UC Riverside
Ph.D.
Evolutionary Biology
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Bioengineering
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Biology
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Chemistry
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Electrical and Computer
Engineering
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Epidemiology
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Global Health
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Health Behavior
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Interdisciplinary
Substance Use Studies
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Language and
Communicative Disorders
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Mathematics and Science
Education
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering
UC San Diego
Ph.D.
Structural Engineering
UC San Diego/Scripps
Institute of Oceanography
Ph.D.
Geophysics
UC Santa Barbara
Ph.D.
Geography
UC Berkeley
Ph.D.
Education
UC Hastings College of the
Law
B.A./J.D.
Political
Science/Government
UC San Diego
Ed.D.
Educational Leadership
Partner
Degree
Discipline
Master’s Programs
Approximately 97% of graduate degrees earned in the CSU are master’s degrees.
Master’s degree programs offered can be professional or academic in nature and are
obtainable in a wide range of fields. Academic degrees (e.g., Master of Science or Master
of Arts) are designed for intellectual growth and are sometimes a prerequisite for doctoral
work within a given discipline. Professional degrees (e.g., Master of Business
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 10 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
Administration or Master of Social Work) are designed for employment or advancement
within a particular career or field of study. Master’s degrees typically take two to three
years to complete.
As shown in the chart below, the CSU prepares 23% of the master’s degree students in
California, while the UC prepares 16% and private not-for-profit and for-profit institutions
award the remaining master’s degrees.
The CSU currently offers 27 distinct types of master’s degrees:
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Music (MM)
• Master of Agricultural Education (MAgEd)
• Master of Archives and Records Administration (MARA)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Biotechnology (MBt)
• Master of City Planning (MCP)
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 11 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
• Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP)
• Master of Design (MDes)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Master of Health Administration (MHA)
• Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Urban Planning (MUP)
• Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
• Master of Interior Architecture (MIA)
• Master of Professional Accountancy (MPACC)
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
Within these 27 distinct master’s degrees, there are 934 individual master’s degree
programs – and options within those programs – across the 23 CSU campuses. The top
10 enrolled master’s degree disciplines in the CSU are shown below. The discipline with
the highest enrollment is education, demonstrating the CSU’s role in educating the future
teachers and educational leaders for the state.
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 12 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
Online Programs
Graduate education in the CSU has adapted to the needs of 21
st
century learners and
working professionals. In addition to traditional on-campus or onsite programs, the CSU
offers over 120 online master’s programs. The table below shows some of the subject
areas in which online master’s programs are offered in the CSU.
Discipline
Number of Online Master’s Programs
Education
40
Business and Management
27
Health Professions
17
Public Affairs
15
Engineering
9
Computer and Information Sciences
4
Interdisciplinary Studies
4
Social Sciences
2
Letters
1
Agriculture and Natural Resources
1
Quality Assurance
Program quality is of primary importance for CSU graduate programs. Degree programs
that are eligible for accreditation from a national accrediting body are expected to seek
such accreditation. All graduate degree programs undergo regularly scheduled campus-
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 13 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
based program review, typically every five years, and are assessed by faculty on a
continual basis.
Graduate programs at CSU campuses are among the best in the nation according to
U.S.
News & World Report
rankings in 2023. The publication recognized 65 graduate programs
from 14 CSU campuses in its 2023 rankings. Programs at eight campuses — Dominguez
Hills, Fullerton, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Northridge, San Diego, San Francisco and San
José — were ranked among the top 100 nationally in areas including nursing, psychology,
occupational therapy, fine arts, public affairs and rehabilitation counseling. The rankings
are a testament to the CSU's high-quality graduate programs, which integrate specialized
training in the theory, research methodologies and critical analyses within a given
discipline.
Additional national recognition came in 2022 when the total number of CSUs designated
as Research 2 (R2) Carnegie Classification grew to seven. The R2 universities include:
East Bay
• Fresno
• Fullerton
• Long Beach
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• San José
The R2 status indicates a high-level of research activity, which bolsters the institution’s
ability to attract external funding, industry partners, and private donors, as well as
enhances the recruitment of faculty and graduate students.
Graduate Enrollment (Fall 2022)
Reflective of the CSU mission, the vast majority of students enrolled in fall 2022 were
enrolled as undergraduates. As shown in the graph below, 407,146 students were
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 14 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
enrolled in a baccalaureate program, 39,613 were enrolled in a master’s program and
2,508 were enrolled in a doctoral program.
In addition, 8,725 post-baccalaureate credential-seeking students were enrolled at the
CSU in fall 2022. These students may also be reflected in the enrollment count for the
master’s degrees, depending on if they were simultaneously enrolled in a CSU graduate
program.
Student Diversity in CSU Graduate Programs
As shown in the graph on the following page, during the past 12 years, the percentage
of the enrolled graduate student population at the CSU that identified as Hispanic has
grown from 19% in 2010 to nearly 38% in 2022. The enrollment of students who identify
as White, Non-Latino has decreased from 38% to just under 25%. Other ethnic groups
have largely remained steady. Although a pandemic-induced decline in international
students has been revealed, there is growing evidence of a recovery on the horizon
(Source: CSUCO Institutional Research & Analyses).
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 15 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
Future Faculty Programs
In addition to addressing current and future workforce needs, CSU graduate programs
are also incubators for future faculty, many of whom return to teach in the CSU. The CSU
Pre-Doctoral Program and the Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program provide support
to graduate and undergraduate students as they prepare for and undertake doctoral
education.
California Pre-Doctoral Program
The California Pre-Doctoral Program began in 1989. It is designed to increase the pool of
potential CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have
experienced economic and educational disadvantages. All matriculated students enrolled
on a CSU campus are eligible to participate. Current CSU faculty members are an integral
component of this program as they work closely with applicants to prepare them for
graduate studies.
In 2022-23, the California Pre-Doctoral Program awarded funds to 75 juniors, seniors and
graduate students in the CSU. These funds enable current students to explore and
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 16 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in their chosen field of study. Selected applicants
are designated a “Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar” and work closely with a CSU
faculty mentor to develop an overall plan that leads to enrollment in a doctoral program.
Plans are tailored to the specific goals and career objectives of the student. On average,
approximately 40% enter fully funded Ph.D. programs at the end of their scholarship
year.
CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
The CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) is the largest program of its kind
in the U.S. Established by three CSU presidents in 1987, CDIP prepares promising doctoral
students for CSU faculty positions by providing financial support, mentorship by CSU
faculty and professional development and grant resources. The goal of CDIP is to increase
the number of faculty with the qualifications, motivation and skills needed to teach the
diverse students of the CSU. CDIP publishes a directory of CDIP Fellows currently applying
for faculty positions and will reimburse expenses if Fellows are invited to an on-campus
interview.
The key feature of CDIP is mentoring. Every applicant to the program identifies a tenured
or tenure-track CSU faculty member to serve as a mentor throughout the scholar’s
doctoral program as well as in the scholar’s search for a faculty position. Together, the
applicant and mentor develop a comprehensive plan, called the Collaborative Plan of
Support, which details how they will work together to foster the scholar’s development in
the three components of faculty life: teaching, research and service.
Through CDIP grants, the CSU supports the collaborative activities of CDIP scholars and
their faculty members. Scholars have the opportunity to use grant funds to further their
doctoral training and to attend professional conferences and workshops. Through
research and scholarly attendance at conferences, scholars can enhance their
professional development. Finally, CDIP also offers a subsidized educational loan of up to
$30,000 with a potential for loan cancellation if the student, upon completion of their
doctorate, becomes a CSU faculty member.
Academic Senate CSU AS-3612-23/AA (Rev)
Page 17 of 17 March 16-17, 2023
Conclusion
Graduate education is integral to the CSU mission of preparing students to be successful
in their future workforce and academic endeavors. By offering doctoral and master’s
programs in fields of high workforce demand, the CSU is developing the diverse workforce
California needs for the future.