Notwithstanding Section 66010.4, and commencing January 1, 2015, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, in consultation with the California State University and the University of California, may authorize the establishment of district baccalaureate degree pilot programs that meet all of the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 78042. A district pilot program established pursuant to this article shall commence no later than the 2017–18 academic year. A student participating in a baccalaureate degree pilot program shall complete his or her degree by the end of the 2022–23 academic year. For purposes of this section, a pilot program commences when the first class of students begins the program. The statewide baccalaureate degree pilot program shall consist of
a maximum of 15 districts, with one baccalaureate degree program each, to be determined by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and approved by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.