Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, any credential described in Section 44250 shall be issued to an applicant under the following circumstances:
(a) The commission has accepted, upon application of an approved institution supported by detailed data and justification, a program developed and offered by that institution as an experimental, exploratory, or pilot program of preparation for such a credential. The commission shall accept only those programs which it finds, by resolution entered in its minutes, to have merit and the potential of improving the quality of service authorized by the credential.
(b) The applicant has completed such a program following the date of its acceptance by the commission.
(c) The applicant holds upon completion of the credential program a baccalaureate or higher degree from an approved institution.
(d) The applicant meets all of the requirements of this chapter and the regulations of the commission adopted pursuant thereto, respecting age, character, citizenship, health, identification, oath or affirmation, and study of or examination in the Constitution of the United States.
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)