CSUs
now set to offer education doctorate
degrees
By
Cristina Madrid
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Education students can now look forward to obtaining education doctorate degrees
(Ed.D) at California State Universities due to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
signing of SB 724 last week.
The implementation of this legislation is a milestone for the institution,
which has not offered a new doctorate to its students in nearly five decades,
officials report.
“
This legislation marks perhaps the most significant change in the California
State University’s role in the last four decades,” said CSU Chancellor
Charles B. Reed. “We are extremely grateful to Senator Scott and all
of the supporters of this bill who understand the importance of creating access
to high-quality programs that prepare leaders for California’s schools.”
The new degree will focus its training on K-12 and community college administrative
leaders. Through comprehensive training and professional development
programs, teachers and administrators can prepare themselves for the classrooms
of tomorrow, a press release from the CSU Chancellor’s Office reported.
According to the chancellor’s report, the presence of the degree comes
at a crucial time to save many potential educators from the high costs of education
at private universities. The CSUs will offer a cost-effective solution
by providing quality programs.
Prior to this measure, the California Master Plan for Higher Education restricted
CSU campuses from offering Ed.Ds. CSUs were only allowed to offer bachelor’s
and master’s degrees.
Many academic professionals had to obtain
their doctorate degrees at the University of California, which the CSUs have
partnered with, and private institutions granted exclusive rights to offer
the degree.
An additional reason CSUs were granted permission from legislature to offer
Ed.Ds was the disproportionate amount of high demand and little supply.
The chancellor’s report states, “Workforce demands for doctoral
training for administrative leaders for California public elementary and secondary
schools and community colleges has far outstripped the state’s ability
to provide them.”
Jean Houck, dean for the College of Education at Cal State Long Beach believes
the doctorate degree will be a great addition to the college and said, “It’s
exciting for [us],…our people in the school tell school leaders to work
with the program.”
Many scholars are looking at the CSU system as an alternative to private schools
and UCs.
Houck said many school leaders she knows are looking to CSULB to provide them
with access to a doctorate.
The CSUs plan to launch the program fall 2007. Houck estimates over 150
students plan to apply to CSULB’s Ed.D program, but the program anticipates
admitting around 20 students. UCs and private institutions will continue to
offer their own doctoral degrees in education (both Ph.D and Ed.D).
Historically, the CSU’s have been rooted as teacher colleges. The
expansion of the current academic curriculum will open the doors to career
opportunities for distinguished professionals wanting to enhance our children’s
knowledge, the chancellor’s report said.
|
