California Community Colleges Authorized to Offer New Bachelor’s Degrees
California community colleges are now authorized to offer up to 12 new bachelor's degrees under recently signed legislation by Governor Newsom.
San Diego, CA, September 25, 2026 —
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation authorizing the state’s community college system to offer a limited number of new bachelor’s degrees. The new law permits California community colleges to provide up to 12 new bachelor’s degree programs.
This legislative action expands the academic pathways available to students within the community college system. Previously, bachelor’s degree programs were primarily offered by the state’s university systems. The details regarding specific degree programs that may be developed or the timeline for their implementation were not provided in the legislation’s summary.
The authorization comes as part of a broader effort to increase access to higher education and provide more affordable options for students seeking bachelor’s degrees. Further information on the selection process for these new degree programs, potential enrollment caps, or the specific institutions that will be involved was not immediately available.
The governor’s office has indicated that this move is intended to benefit California residents by potentially reducing student debt and increasing the number of graduates with bachelor’s degrees in critical fields. The exact number of institutions or the precise nature of the 12 authorized degrees will likely be detailed in subsequent policy announcements or implementation guidelines.
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