Public higher education in the State of California consists of three systems: the University of California (ten campuses), California State University (23 campuses), and the Community Colleges (109 campuses in 72 districts).

Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, "[t]he University of California may provide undergraduate and graduate instruction in the liberal arts and sciences and in the professions, including the teaching professions. It shall have exclusive jurisdiction in public higher education over instruction in the profession of law and over graduate instruction in the professions of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. It has the sole authority in public higher education to award the doctoral degree in all fields of learning, except that it may agree with the California State University to award joint doctoral degrees in selected fields. The University of California shall be the primary state-supported academic agency for research." (California Education Code Section 66010.4 (c))

The University of California is a public corporation governed by the Board of Regents. The president of the University and the chancellors of the ten campuses, and their respective administrations, are responsible for executing the plans and programs of the University and administering its affairs. The Academic Senate has authority over the conditions for admissions and degrees and over courses and curricula, and, through its committee system, consults with the administration and the Regents on a broad spectrum of issues.

last updated on 5/8/07