California State University: joint degrees.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Fong
Last action: 2026-05-20
Official status: Referred to Com. on ED.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how these changes will be implemented or funded.

California State University: Joint Degrees

AB-2572 allows California State University (CSU) to award joint undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees with independent U.S. institutions without needing approval from the California Postsecondary Education Commission.

What This Bill Does

Allows CSU to give joint undergraduate and graduate degrees with other U.S. colleges and universities without needing approval from the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
Permits CSU to offer joint doctoral degrees with U.S. colleges and universities without requiring approval by the commission.
Authorizes CSU to award joint doctoral degrees with accredited international institutions of higher education without limiting these degrees to professional or applied fields that do not duplicate University of California (UC) programs.
Removes the need for CSU to follow a specific review process when working on joint doctoral degree programs with accredited international universities.

Who It Names or Affects

California State University
Independent U.S. colleges and universities
International institutions of higher education

Terms To Know

Joint degrees: Degrees awarded by two or more educational institutions to a student who meets the requirements set by all involved schools.
California Postsecondary Education Commission: A state agency that oversees and regulates postsecondary education in California, including approving certain joint degree programs.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how these changes will be implemented or funded.
It is unclear if this legislation will lead to an increase in the number of joint degrees offered by CSU.
There are no details on how joint degrees with international institutions will affect existing agreements between CSU and UC.

Bill History

2026-05-20 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2026-05-07 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-07 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 0.)
2026-04-30 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-04-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 29).
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2572, as amended, Fong.
Public postsecondary education: California State University.
California State University: joint degrees.
Existing law sets forth the missions and functions of California’s public and independent segments of higher education, and details the ways in which their respective institutions are to be differentiated. Existing law specifies that the California State University (CSU) shall offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through the master’s degree in the liberal arts and sciences and professional education. Existing law authorizes the CSU to award undergraduate and graduate degrees jointly with international institutions of higher education. Existing law vests the University of California (UC) with the sole authority in public higher education to award doctoral degrees in all fields of learning, except that the CSU may award doctoral degrees jointly (1) with the UC in selected fields, (2) with
independent institutions of higher education if the proposed doctoral program is approved by the California Postsecondary Education Commission, and (3) with international institutions of higher education if, among other things, the doctoral degrees are for professional or applied doctoral degrees that do not duplicate UC doctoral degrees, and the CSU complies with a specified review and approval process, as provided.
This bill would authorize the CSU to award doctoral degrees jointly with one or more independent institutions of higher education without approval by the California Postsecondary Education Commission. The bill would also authorize the CSU to award undergraduate and graduate degrees jointly with one or more independent institutions of higher education. The bill would authorize the CSU to jointly award doctoral degrees with accredited international institutions of higher education without (1) limiting it to professional or applied doctoral degrees that do
not duplicate UC doctoral degrees, and (2) complying with the specified review and approval process.
Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that public programs of postsecondary education be made available to qualified persons throughout the state, including areas of substantial existing or projected population that are isolated from a campus of the California State University. Existing law requires the Trustees of the California State University to consider establishing a permanent, state-supported off-campus center on state-owned property in the County of Contra Costa, the purpose of which is to continue to offer education programs at the upper division and graduate levels.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to this provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF