SACRAMENTO — A long-simmering tension within California’s higher education system is set to reach a boiling point this week. The Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges is scheduled to meet in Sacramento on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to address a backlog of proposed baccalaureate programs currently being blocked by the California State University (CSU) system.
At the heart of the debate is the interpretation of state law, which grants community colleges the authority to offer four-year degrees—provided they meet local workforce demands and, crucially, do not duplicate existing programs at the state’s traditional four-year universities.
The Current Deadlock: 16 Degrees in Limbo
While more than 50 bachelor’s degrees are already active or slated for launch across California’s 116 community colleges, 16 proposed programs are currently stuck in administrative limbo. Seven of these have been stalled since 2023.
The primary obstacle? Formal objections from CSU campuses. The CSU system argues that these proposed degrees—ranging from applied psychology to dental hygiene and specialized technology—encroach upon their territory, creating unnecessary competition and redundancy.
The Frustration of Local Colleges: Local community college administrators have grown increasingly vocal about their frustration. They argue that:
- Unique Demographics: Their programs serve non-traditional students—working parents and low-income individuals—who are often unable to relocate or afford the higher tuition and commute associated with a CSU campus.
- Workforce Gaps: These degrees are designed specifically to meet hyper-local employer needs that broader state university programs may overlook.
- Non-Duplication: Many colleges believe the CSU’s definitions of “duplication” are overly broad, effectively stifling innovation that could benefit the California economy.
The WestEd Factor: A New Shield for Community Colleges?
A significant turning point in the discussion is the recent release of an independent analysis by WestEd, a prominent non-profit research organization. Contracted by the State Chancellor’s office last year, WestEd was tasked with performing an objective deep dive into the duplication claims.
The findings from WestEd suggest that many of the blocked degrees are not necessarily duplicative. This analysis provides the Board of Governors with the statistical and pedagogical “cover” needed to push past CSU objections. The report indicates that the curriculum and target student populations often differ enough to justify the existence of both programs within the same region.
Legal Pathways to Approval
While Tuesday’s meeting in Sacramento is listed as a “discussion item” and no formal vote is scheduled, the proceedings are expected to clarify the path forward.
Interestingly, the Board does not need a formal meeting to move these degrees forward. Under current California law:
- Direct Authority: The President of the Board of Governors holds the power to grant final approval to these degrees.
- Expedited Process: This approval often happens through administrative action outside of regular public board meetings, meaning a breakthrough could occur at any moment following the Tuesday discussion.
What’s at Stake for 2026?
If the Board decides to side with the WestEd findings and move forward with the 16 stalled degrees, it could signal a massive shift in the California Master Plan for Higher Education. For students, it means more affordable, accessible pathways to high-paying careers. For the CSU system, it represents a potential loss of tuition revenue and a challenge to their historical role as the state’s primary provider of undergraduate education.
As the state grapples with a shifting labor market and the rising cost of living, the outcome of this Sacramento meeting will determine who gets to provide the credentials required for California’s future workforce.
General Program FAQs
Q: Can California community colleges legally offer bachelor’s degrees? A: Yes. Under Assembly Bill 927 (2021), the state’s community colleges are authorized to offer up to 30 new bachelor’s degree programs per year, provided they meet local workforce needs and do not duplicate degrees offered by the CSU or UC systems.
Q: Why are 16 degrees currently “in limbo”? A: These programs have been flagged by California State University (CSU) campuses, which argue the degrees duplicate their existing offerings. Seven of these have been stalled since 2023 due to these unresolved objections.
Q: What are some of the contested degrees? A: Examples of stalled programs include:
- Cybersecurity & Network Operations at Moorpark College.
- Physical Therapy Assistant at San Diego Mesa College.
- Cloud Computing at Santa Monica College.
- Stem Cell and Gene Technologies at Pasadena City College.
- Applied Fire Management at Feather River College.
The Duplication Debate
Q: What is the “WestEd” report everyone is talking about? A: WestEd is a third-party nonprofit hired by the state to evaluate the duplication claims. Their recent July 2025/January 2026 report suggests that “similarity scores” for many contested degrees are low (e.g., 0.23 to 0.49), siding with community colleges on the idea that location and specific workforce focus matter more than just course titles.
Q: Does geographic location matter in these approvals? A: This is a major point of contention. Community colleges argue that if a CSU is too far away for a “place-bound” student to commute, the degree is not a duplicate. CSU and some lawmakers have previously argued that duplication applies “regardless of location,” but the WestEd report emphasizes the importance of regional accessibility.
Cost & Student Impact
Q: How much does a community college bachelor’s degree cost? A: On average, these degrees cost about $10,560 in tuition and fees for all four years—roughly half the cost of the most affordable CSU or UC options.
Q: Who benefits most from these programs? A: These degrees are designed for students who cannot relocate, military veterans, and working professionals in specialized technical fields like respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, and biomanufacturing.
Next Steps
Q: What will happen at the Tuesday, January 13, 2026 meeting? A: The Board of Governors will discuss the WestEd findings. While a vote isn’t expected, the discussion will signal whether the Board President will use their authority to bypass CSU objections and grant final approval.