• The program will serve specific groups of working professionals with well-defined needs for advanced degree work. While some degrees will be tailored to career advancement, other degrees may enable individuals to pursue new career directions or advanced liberal studies.
• The program will be offered on a schedule and/or in a location that would increase access for working adults.

The programs are expected primarily to be self-supporting, although state-funded options within the campus graduate enrollment ceilings might also be appropriate. Some programs might be offered in collaboration with University Extension.

In a call for proposals, the Office of the President invited campuses to develop pilot programs leading to the Master of Advanced Study. One year grants were available to cover planning costs and start-up funding. An ad hoc committee of Office of the President and Academic Senate representatives reviewed proposals from the campuses. Selected pilot programs are in a number of fields such as Dietetics, Digital Media, and Criminology, Law and Society. The following is a list of planning grants awarded: