FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1586

C 208 L 11

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding the provision of doctorate programs at the research university branch campuses in Washington.

Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Haler, Jacks, Dammeier, Moscoso, Carlyle, Zeiger, Moeller, Probst, Kenney, Stanford, Kelley, Dahlquist and Jinkins; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.

House Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight

Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development

Background:

A joint study conducted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board compares total supply of workers at three levels of education to the demand for workers educated at those levels. The 2009 report found that to prepare Washington residents to meet employer demand and be competitive in the labor market by 2016, there was a gap of over 5,000 degrees at each level: sub-baccalaureate, baccalaureate, and graduate.

In 2009 the HECB examined the system of higher education and proposed a strategic framework to guide future investments. The HECB found that institutions' planned growth for graduate degrees was insufficient to meet Washington's higher education goals in all but two regions: the southwest region and the central and southeast region. Completed in December 2009, the System Design Plan offers a framework for making decisions about how to reach the goal of increasing educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are the only two public institutions of higher education authorized to award research doctorate degrees in Washington. Eastern Washington University is authorized to award an applied doctorate in physical therapy. The UW Bothell, the UW Tacoma, the WSU Vancouver, and the WSU Tri-Cities are branch campuses of the two research universities authorized to award baccalaureate and master's level degrees.

The HECB has a comprehensive and ongoing assessment process to determine the need for additional degree programs and locations for degree programs. If the HECB determines that there is a need for a change in level of degree, an examination of the viability of the change is conducted. The HECB's recommendation on whether to proceed is then presented to the Governor and the Legislature.

Summary:

Subject to HECB approval, the UW and the WSU are authorized to develop doctoral degree programs at their branch campuses. The mission of branch campuses is expanded to include the full range of graduate degrees. The HECB will use its assessment process to determine whether the proposed doctoral level programs are needed and viable. In place of monitoring and evaluating the addition of lower division institutions, the HECB must monitor and evaluate the growth of branch campuses and make recommendations to the Legislature as needed.

Votes on Final Passage: