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The governor’s signing Sept.
22 legislation that authorizes California State University, Fresno and
the other CSU campuses to independently offer the Doctor of Education
(Ed.D.) degree will “staunch some of the brain drain” from Fresno and
the surrounding region, said Fresno State’s graduate dean.
“This is a giant leap forward for our campus,” said Dr. Vivian A.
Vidoli, dean of the Division of Graduate Studies. “I’m really excited
about this development.”
Since 1991, Fresno State has offered the Ed.D degree in conjunction with
the University of California at Davis. The Joint Doctoral Program in
Educational Leadership was designed specifically to train future
educational leaders residing in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s approval is the first authorization to
independently award a doctorate since the system was formed almost half
a century ago. The new degree will target K-12 and community college
administrative leaders.
Vidoli said that Fresno State will now move from the joint degree
program to an independent program, starting in 2007, to award more
education doctorates.
“The need in our region has been absolutely compelling to have
doctorates, especially the Ed.D. in educational leadership,” she said.
“For years I have seen students who want a doctorate and who must go out
of the area or go to a private institution that is very expensive. This
provides them the opportunity to stay in this region and get a doctoral
degree.”
“The regional impact is going to be significant,” Vidoli added.
"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 [Jack]
Scott (D-Pasadena) and to 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."
Previously, under California’s Master Plan for Higher Education, the CSU
could only offer bachelor's and master's degrees, except for a limited
number of doctorates via programs offered jointly with private
universities or in partnership with the University of California.
However, workforce demands for doctoral training for administrative
leaders for California public elementary and secondary schools and
community colleges have far outstripped the state’s ability to provide
them. In addition, because the doctor of education degree is primarily
offered in California by private universities, the costs are a barrier
to many Californians.
The new educational leadership doctorate builds on the CSU’s expertise
and program strengths. The CSU historically had its origins in teacher
colleges, and the preparation of teachers and education leaders has
remained one of its core missions. The expansion of the responsibility
for educational leadership training at the doctorate level will
facilitate increased career opportunities and better preparation for
thousands of educators who will be ready to meet the educational needs
of the state.
UC will continue to offer its own doctoral degrees in education (both
the Ph.D. and the Ed.D.), and both systems will continue to offer a wide
variety of training and professional development programs for teachers
and administrators.
The CSU has begun planning to offer the independent Ed.D. The first
students are expected to begin their studies for the Ed.D. at selected
CSU campuses in fall 2007.
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