"Future social workers, architects and urban planners studying at the University of California are about to get a change in status they might not want.
Starting next year, these UC students will be considered 'professional' degree candidates and will be required to pay as much as $8,000 more a year in student fees than they do now. They will join law, business and medical students, among others, who have paid big surcharges for years. And some people say that isn't fair."
As the UC system grapples with state funding cuts, its leaders recently approved steep increases in the charges that students in professional graduate schools must shell out on top of regular student fees. The regents also added seven programs to those required to pay the surcharges, with landscape design, social work and physical therapy majors now among students who will face them.
Some critics say the university's actions are based on the erroneous idea that all professional school graduates land well-paying jobs and can easily repay their loans. And they say the university is losing the soul of a low-cost public institution.
Starting next year, these UC students will be considered 'professional' degree candidates and will be required to pay as much as $8,000 more a year in student fees than they do now. They will join law, business and medical students, among others, who have paid big surcharges for years. And some people say that isn't fair."
As the UC system grapples with state funding cuts, its leaders recently approved steep increases in the charges that students in professional graduate schools must shell out on top of regular student fees. The regents also added seven programs to those required to pay the surcharges, with landscape design, social work and physical therapy majors now among students who will face them.
Some critics say the university's actions are based on the erroneous idea that all professional school graduates land well-paying jobs and can easily repay their loans. And they say the university is losing the soul of a low-cost public institution.