ARTICLE 4.9. Doctoral Programs in Public Health [66044. - 66044.1.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 4.9.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66044. Section 66044.

(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 California State University to offer doctoral education in joint doctoral programs with the University of California and independent California colleges and universities. (2) More recently, the California State University has received 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 education opportunities in California. (3) Because of the need to prepare and educate increased numbers of public health leaders and administrators, the State of California is granting the California State University authority to offer the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree as an exception to the differentiation of function in graduate education that assigns sole authority among the California higher education segments to the University of California for awarding doctoral degrees independently. This exception to the Master Plan for Higher Education recognizes the distinctive strengths and respective missions of the California State University and the University of California. (b) Pursuant to subdivision (a), and notwithstanding Section 66010.4, in order to meet specific public health leadership needs in California, the California State University may award the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. The authority to award degrees granted by this article is limited to the discipline of public health. The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree offered by the California State University shall be distinguished from doctoral degree programs in public health at the University of California.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 66044.1. Section 66044.1.

In implementing Section 66044, the California State University shall comply with all of the following requirements: (a) Enrollments in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree programs offered by the California State University pursuant to this article shall not diminish enrollment growth in university undergraduate programs. (b) The degree programs authorized by this article shall be focused on health and scientific knowledge translation and transformative community leadership, and shall be designed to address the community public health workforce needs of California and prepare qualified professionals to be leaders and experienced practitioners who apply their advanced knowledge in service to California’s diverse communities in areas such as community health administration, health education and promotion, and public health advocacy. These degree programs shall enable professionals to earn the degree while working full time. (c) Each student in the degree programs authorized by this article shall be charged fees comparable to, but not higher than, those fees charged for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree at the University of California. (d) The California State University shall provide any startup and operation funding needed for the degree programs authorized by this article from within existing budgets for academic program support without diminishing the quality of program support offered to California State University undergraduate programs. Funding of these degree programs shall not result in reduced undergraduate enrollment at the California State University.

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