California legal term
Independent institutions of higher education in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Independent institutions of higher education” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Independent institutions of higher education” mean in California criminal law?
“Independent institutions of higher education” means nonpublic higher education institutions that grant undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, or both, and that are formed as nonprofit corporations in this state and are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Cal. Penal Code § 626)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.