Official Blog | UCGPC

As the preeminent public research institution in California, the University of California (UC) plays a pivotal role in shaping the state’s intellectual and economic landscape. One of the key initiatives the UC’s regents led is the expansion of graduate enrollment, a mission outlined in the recent Multi-Year Compact Update. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Compact’s goals and strategies, with a particular focus on the anticipated growth in enrollment for master’s programs—a strategic decision by the regents to circumvent the issue of adequately compensating academic student employees.

The Compact’s Goals: An Overview

The Multi-Year Compact, a cooperative agreement between Governor Newsom and the UC, was established to advance shared, student-focused goals. One of its key commitments is to increase graduate enrollment by 2,500 students over four years, which commenced in the 2022-23 academic year.

A significant aspect of this goal is the anticipated increase in state-supported graduate students, which includes those pursuing academic master’s degrees (e.g., M.S., M.A.), academic doctoral degrees (Ph.D.), and graduate professional degrees (e.g., J.D., M.D., Pharm.D., M.P.P.) across both general campus and health science programs.

This strategic expansion aligns with UC’s role as the state’s sole public provider of advanced degrees in law and medical sciences. The regents‘ vision is to ensure that UC’s high-quality degree offerings remain competitive with private institutions both within California and nationwide while continuing to meet the state’s specific workforce needs.

The Importance of Graduate Programs at UC

UC’s graduate programs, which comprise academic, professional, and self-supporting courses, cater to diverse students. More than half of the approximately 63,800 graduate students at UC are enrolled in graduate academic programs, with 44 percent pursuing Ph.D. and 14 percent registered in academic master’s programs. Roughly 25 percent are enrolled in graduate professional programs, while around 20 percent are in self-supporting courses.

These graduate programs are crucial in meeting California’s demand for highly skilled professionals across various sectors. According to the UC Office of the President, UC produces around 20 percent of California’s graduate professional practice degrees, with a particularly significant contribution in law and medicine.

Factors Influencing Graduate Enrollment

The regents’ plan for increasing graduate enrollment at UC considers several key factors. Demographic trends, including the projected increase in high school graduates, play an essential role in anticipating potential growth among new students. Other pivotal factors include application volume, retention rates, average unit load, the job market, and financial aid availability.

The regents’ strategy also considers graduate students’ unique financial aid requirements. Unlike undergraduates, most graduate students are considered independent when considered for aid. For example, graduate academic doctoral students typically rely on fellowships and assistantships and are less likely to need to take out loans. In contrast, graduate master’s and professional students may receive some financial aid, but depending on the program, these students are more likely to rely on loans.

UC’s Graduate Enrollment Growth Strategy

UC’s approach to achieving Compact’s graduate enrollment growth goal involves strategic planning and consistent monitoring. Monthly conference calls are held between the UC Office of the President (UCOP) and staff at each campus to identify developments related to admissions, enrollment, student academic progress, and other factors associated with the goal.

In addition, UCOP has initiated meetings with campus provosts and deans across disciplinary areas to discuss enrollment management, including plans for advancing graduate academic and professional enrollment. This discussion explores ways to support these meetings through expanded reporting in areas like UC alumni outcomes, California employment demand, and workforce needs.

Critique

The University of California’s (UC) strategy of employing master’s students instead of paying doctoral students is a shortsighted and ultimately unsustainable approach to graduate education. While this strategy may save money in the short term, it will likely have significant negative consequences for UC in the long run.

One of the primary concerns with this strategy is that it devalues the work of doctoral students. Doctoral students are not simply students; they are also researchers and teachers who make valuable contributions to the university. By paying them less than a living wage, UC essentially says that their work is not worth as much as the work of master students. This is a slap in the face to doctoral students, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Another concern with this strategy is that it will likely decrease the quality of UC’s graduate programs. Doctoral students are the backbone of these programs; without them, the quality of research and teaching will suffer. This could lead to a decline in UC’s reputation as a leading research university.

In addition, this strategy will likely make it more difficult for UC to attract and retain top talent. Doctoral students worldwide are drawn to UC because of its reputation and the opportunity to work with some of the best minds in their field. However, if UC continues to pay doctoral students less than a living wage, they will be less likely to come to UC and more likely to leave UC after graduation. This could lead to a brain drain from UC, further damaging its reputation.

Finally, this strategy is simply unfair to doctoral students. They are already working long hours and making sacrifices to pursue their education. They should not have to worry about whether or not they can afford to eat or pay their rent. UC is responsible for providing its doctoral students with a living wage, and it should not shirk this responsibility.

In conclusion, UC’s strategy of employing master’s students instead of paying doctoral students is a mistake. It is shortsighted, unsustainable, and unfair. UC should reconsider this strategy and instead pay doctoral students a living wage. This would be the fair and responsible thing to do, and it would be in the best interests of UC in the long run.