CSU Approves Four Doctoral Programs at SDSU

Contact:
Lorena Nava Ruggero
Media Relations Specialist
San Diego State University
lnava@mail.sdsu.edu


SAN DIEGO (Thursday, March 13, 2008) — California State University trustees have unanimously approved four joint-doctoral programs between San Diego State University and University of California San Diego.

The programs approved included: geophysics, bioengineering, structural engineering and electrical and computer engineering. The geophysics program would also involve a partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD. All programs are targeted to enroll students for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"Engineering is too diverse a field to be encompassed by a single program, as has been the case for more than a decade," said Tom Scott, vice president for research and graduate dean. "This will expand our offerings to three additional areas, all of them rapidly developing and in need of the additional research contributions SDSU’s faculty can make. The program in geophysics is a natural extension of the close research collaborations our faculty have had with their colleagues at Scripps for years."

The approval makes for a total of 20 doctoral-level programs at SDSU, including the independently bestowed Ed.D., or doctorate of education. In 2005, CSU campuses were granted authority by the California legislature to offer the Ed.D.

Each joint-doctoral program at SDSU represents a partnership with a public or private university, and students that apply to such programs must be accepted at both SDSU and at the partner university.

Many of SDSU’s joint-doctoral programs are highly ranked in their fields, such as the clinical psychology program and the program in mathematics and science education, both with UCSD. The programs were ranked No. 1 and No. 7, respectively, nationwide by their professional organizations.

Additionally, the California legislature is currently considering a bill that would allow CSU campuses to offer a doctor of nursing practice degree, or D.N.P. The bill is aimed at improving the severe nursing shortage in California, by training nurses for advanced practice and preparing a larger, stronger faculty to teach the next generation of nurses. If the bill is approved, SDSU would offer the new independent doctoral degree as early as fall 2009.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 74 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s approximately 36,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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