Assemblymember Alvarez & Assemblywoman Soria Introduces Higher Education Modernization Package to Expand Access to Bachelor’s and Doctoral Degrees

• Brody Fernandez
• (916) 276-3390
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) today announced a comprehensive higher education bill package to modernize and expand access to affordable bachelor's and doctoral degrees aligned with workforce needs.

The package includes AB 2301 (Soria), AB 2693 (Alvarez) & AB 2694 (Alvarez).

"For more than 60 years, the Master Plan has guided California's higher education system," said Assemblymember Alvarez. "But our economy, our population, and our workforce needs have evolved. This package updates our higher education framework to reflect today's realities. It expands access to affordable bachelor's and doctoral degrees. The outcome of education must be aligned to the jobs, and these bills remove outdated barriers that prevent students from accessing opportunities in their own communities."

AB 2693 authorizes CSU to award doctoral degrees statewide, including research doctorates such as PhDs, and removes the existing requirement that University of California must approve or decline to object before CSU can move forward.

"California underproduces doctoral-level graduates relative to the size of our economy," said Assemblymember Alvarez. "CSU has the faculty, facilities, and regional presence to help close that gap. Allowing CSU to award doctoral degrees independently will expand access for place-bound students, increase research capacity, and strengthen regional economies across the state."

The bill preserves core guardrails: doctoral expansion may not displace undergraduate enrollment, must be supported within existing budgets, and fees may not exceed those charged by UC. It also includes Legislative Analyst's Office reporting and limits on the number of new doctoral programs approved annually.

Under current law, community colleges are prohibited from offering bachelor's degrees if a similar program exists anywhere in the state. AB 2694 reforms that restriction by prohibiting duplication only within the same geographic region where there are documented unmet regional workforce needs.

"AB 2694 ensures that when there is a documented workforce shortage, whether in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, or technology, community colleges can respond," said Assemblymember Alvarez. "Students should not be forced into expensive private institutions or out of their region because of rigid, outdated rules."

The bill maintains safeguards requiring documented workforce demand, consultation with CSU and UC, accreditation approval, and caps on the number of programs approved each cycle.

The package also includes AB 2301 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, establishing a pilot program authorizing up to 10 community college districts to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), helping address California's severe nursing shortage.

"AB 2301 offers an affordable option for aspiring nursing students in California's underserved and disadvantaged communities. This Nursing Education bill is desperately needed throughout the entire state," said Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria. "AB 2301 authorizes up to 10 community college districts to pilot BSN programs. These high-quality programs will be rooted in local communities, at no additional cost to the state. The pilot program includes oversight, evaluation, and a sunset date to ensure accountability and results."

Alvarez emphasized that close to 80% of community college nursing students seeking a bachelor's degree currently must enroll in high-cost private institutions due to limited public capacity.

Today's press conference can be accessed on YouTube. The legislative package is pending referral to policy committee where it will be heard later this spring.