CA AB209

Authorizes California State University to award professional doctorate degrees in agricultural education as an exception to the Master Plan for Higher Education, which otherwise reserves doctoral degree authority for the University of California.

Requires CSU doctoral programs in agricultural education to be distinguished from UC doctoral programs and focused on preparing students for professional careers in agricultural science.

Limits student fees in CSU agricultural education doctoral programs to rates no higher than UC state-supported doctoral programs in agriculture, including joint doctoral programs.

Mandates that CSU fund these programs from existing academic program budgets without reducing undergraduate enrollment or diminishing quality of undergraduate program support.

Restricts the authority to award these degrees to the discipline of agriculture and requires that enrollments not diminish enrollment growth in CSU undergraduate programs.