This chapter describes three instructional program categories that have historically received no State support: University Extension, summer session, and self-supporting graduate degree programs. Additional information about UC Online can be found in the General Campus Instruction chapter of this document.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
University Extension is the largest continuing education program in the nation, annually providing courses to 300,000 registrants who are typically employed adult learners with a bachelor’s degree. UC Extension is a self-supporting operation and its offerings are dependent upon user demand, which varies due to many factors, including the strength of the economy. In 2012-13, University Extension expenditures, derived from student fee revenue, were $243.9 million. As UNEX is a self- supporting unit, this revenue is used to cover all instructional and overhead expenditures.
The University offered its first Extension courses to students beyond the immediate campus community more than 100 years ago. Today, Extension divisions at each of UC’s nine general campuses offer over 19,000 courses, programs, seminars, conferences, and field studies throughout California and in a number of foreign countries. The majority of Extension programs are designed to serve the continuing education needs of professionals. Programs are presented through open-enrollment courses for individuals as well as through organizational partnerships supported by contracts and grants with public agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations. Certificate programs are offered in areas such as computing and information technology, environmental management, graphics and digital arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
UC Extension offers a wide variety of online courses to students in California, across the nation, and around the world, ranging from undergraduate courses carrying UC academic credit to professional-level courses in subjects such as project management, computer programming, and technical writing. These courses extend the instructional resources of the University to the global community.
Extension credit programs are reviewed and presented through policies established by the UC Academic Senate. While they do not offer degrees, Extension programs provide transferrable degree credit, professional development, and personal enrichment classes, as well as public service programs to matriculated and non- matriculated domestic and international students and corporate and non-profit agencies and organizations. Various undergraduate and graduate degree credit courses are available, either as equivalents of existing UC campus courses or structured as undergraduate classes but with content not found in an existing campus offering. Extension courses explore history, literature, and the arts in traditional and innovative ways, providing cultural enrichment to Californians. Extension also serves UC’s public service mission through organizing lecture series, summer institutes, public affairs forums, and other events for the general public.
SUMMER SESSION
In addition to the University’s course offerings during the regular academic year, UC and non-UC students may enroll in courses during the summer session on any of the nine general campuses. Historically, the State provided funding for UC students enrolling in the fall, winter, and spring terms, but not summer. Through Summer 2000, summer sessions were supported from student course and registration fees set by each campus.
Self-Supporting Instructional Programs
With State support, UC began converting summer instruction for UC students from a self-supported to a State-supported program in 2001-02 and completed the conversion of all general campuses in 2006-07. Declining State support has resulted in cuts to some summer programs and greater reliance on tuition and fee revenues, signaling a gradual return to a self-supporting model. Further discussion of State-supported summer instruction may be found in the General Campus Instruction chapter. Funding for non-UC students remains in the summer sessions budget. In 2012, out of about 88,000 total students, 10,770 non-UC students registered for UC summer sessions, many of whom are regularly enrolled at California State University, California Community Colleges, or other institutions. Non-UC students may pay higher fees to help support the cost of their education, and are not eligible for financial aid. In 2012-13, approximately $17 million of summer sessions expenditures were funded from non-UC student tuition and fees.
SELF-SUPPORTING DEGREE PROGRAMS
The University operates about 60 self-supporting graduate degree programs. These programs, developed in accordance with the Presidential Policy on Self-Supporting
Graduate Degree Programs, are intended to provide
alternative pathways to graduate and professional degrees for academically qualified adults to further their education and upgrade their skills. Extending opportunities to working professionals is another way that the University helps to meet state workforce needs.
Self-supporting programs adhere to the same academic standards as do other graduate degree programs at UC, but do not receive State funds. Full program costs, including but not limited to faculty instructional costs, program support costs, student services costs, and overhead, are covered by student fees or other non-State funds. Since fees for these programs are set at market rates and programs are self-supporting, any excess funds generated by these programs are available to support UC’s core academic mission. Some programs are administered through University Extension (though degrees are granted by the department), while others are administered directly by professional schools or academic departments.
Display VI-1: 2012-13 Self-Supporting Program Headcount Enrollment by Discipline
Approximately two-thirds of self-supporting program enrollment is in MBA and other management programs for working professionals.
The University’s oldest and largest self-supporting programs are evening/weekend and executive MBA programs. More recently, programs have been established in a range of disciplines, and include online programs, off- site programs, joint programs with other institutions, and programs for foreign-trained students.
When UC was receiving adequate State support to expand graduate academic and professional programs in response to state and societal needs, self-supporting programs at UC were directed towards working adults and other non- traditional student populations and were limited to part-time or alternatively scheduled programs. Given the decline in State support, the University revised its policy on self- supporting programs in 2011 and is again revising it this year. The policy revisions recognize that self-supporting graduate professional degree programs are now a necessary educational strategy to allow the University to serve a greater number of students above and beyond that which State resources will support. The 2011 policy no longer requires self-supporting programs to be part-time or alternatively scheduled. Among other things, the new policy will address the very limited circumstances under which a State-supported graduate professional program can convert to self-supporting status.
During 2012-13, more than 4,500 students (about 3,800 FTE) enrolled in self-supporting programs. These programs generated over $130.9 million in revenue during 2012-13. Other Programs 29% Business and Management 66% International Student Programs 5%