5/8/2019
Dissecting a Bachelor’s Degree: Resources & Tips for Determining U.S. Bachelor’s Equivalency
Presented by: Emily Tally, Credential Analyst, Sr. Indiana University – Office of International Services
Indiana University – Office of International Services
} Centralized office in a decentralized university } Serves international students at main & five regional campuses } 60+ staff: immigration advisors, international recruiters, document processors, shipping team, tech support team, credential analysts, student event staff, front desk staff, student workers } Passport facility } Fall 2018: 2710 international master’s & doctoral students enrolled
What IS bachelor’s equivalency?
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US Bachelor’s Degree
} Typically 4 years } ~12 years previous education } Allows entry to master’s programs } Emphasis on liberal arts, not just major } Often no distinction between academic and professional degrees } ~120 semester credit hours/~180 quarter credit hours } 1 semester CH = ~15 contact (classroom) hours } 1 quarter CH = ~10 contact (classroom) hours
https://mathwithbaddrawings.com/2015/06/17/us-vs-uk-who-grades-students/
Common International Undergraduate Degrees
Country Lenth of Program Degree Name (years) China, South Korea, Taiwan, 4 Thailand, Japan, Vietnam Bachelor's (original language names also exist) Russia 4 Diplom Bakalavra 5 or 6 Diplom Spetsialista Australia 3 Bachelor's (Pass) 4 Bachelor's (Honours) Canada 3 or 4 Bachelor's (varies by province) India 3 Bachelor of Arts or Science 4 Bachelor of Technology or Engineering Central/South America 4 or 5 Lincenciatura/Lincenciado, Bachiller, Titulo
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Common International Undergraduate Degrees: Bologna
Country Lenth of Program Degree Name (years) France 3 Licence 2 + 3 CPGE + Grande Ecole Diplome 6 Docteur United Kingdom 3 Bachelor's (Pass) 4 Bachelor's (Honours) 4 Bachelor's (Sandwich, 3 + 1 practicum) Germany 3 or 4 Bachelor's 3.5 or 4 Fachhochschule diploma (practical component) Sweden 2 Hogskoleexamen 3 Kandidatexamen
What to consider
} Education System } Entrance requirements } Further education options in country } Length of the program } Vocational, professional, academic track?
} Institution } Recognition } Structure: affiliated vs. autonomous } Degree conferral
Helpful Resources
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Online Resources – Education Systems } IERF - https://www.ierf.org/ } International Education Research Foundation } Free online & print publications: education terms, academic calendars, languages, credential “vault”, etc. } AACRAO Edge - http://edge.aacrao.org/ } American Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Electronic Database for Global Education } Education ladders, credential descriptions, grading scales, links to primary sources of recognition } TAICEP - https://www.taicep.org/taiceporgwp/resources/available-online- resources/ } The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals } Links to professional organizations, country & regional resources, associations of colleges & universities, etc.
Online Resources - Recognition } Ministry of Education & governmental websites } Often list recognized postsecondary institutions } Sometimes difficult to navigate } World Higher Education Database (WHED) - http://www.whed.net/home.php } Lists recognized institutions around the globe } By International Association of Universities in collaboration with UNESCO } Easy to search } ECE: The Connection - https://theconnection.ece.org/ } Message Boards on many topics
Online Resources – India, UGC } University Grants Commission: https://www.ugc.ac.in/ } Consolidated list of recognized universities: } https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/Consolidated%20list%20of%20All%20Universities.pdf } Consolidated list of recognized colleges: } https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/colleges/2f-12b-Colleges%20list-31-12-2018.pdf
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Online Resources – India, UGC
Click: Colleges (12(B)/2(f)) Click: Consolidated List of All Universities
Online Resources – China, MoE } Ministry of Education } Excel list of recognized institutions } http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A03/moe_634/201706/t20170614_306900.html } In Chinese only } Utilize Google translate or other translation tools to search
Online Resources – China,Clicking “English” MoE here will navigate to a page that does not include the links below
Translates to, “List of National Colleges and universities.” Clicking generates Excel list in Chinese
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Online Resources: Europe
} EHEA } http://ehea.info/page-full_members } European Higher Education Area } Lots of information on Bologna system: qualification frameworks, diploma supplements, country-specific information, etc. } ENIC/NARIC } https://www.enic-naric.net/ } ENIC: European Network of Information Centres } NARIC: National Academic Recognition Information Centres } Lots of country-specific information & links to primary sources of recognition, quality frameworks, contacts, etc.
The Internal Wiki: Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
} A searchable repository of policy and reference information } Customizable & easy to edit } Country-specific & institution-specific notes } Sample documents } Free online software & coding instructions } https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki
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Bachelor’s Equivalency Determination at IU
} Must be… } 4 years of undergraduate credit } 120 credits } Allow entry to master’s-level program } Credential conferred } Determined by OIS } Memo from dean required if not bachelor’s equivalent } Resources } Internal wiki } AACRAO Edge, ECE message board, governmental websites } Professional colleagues & organizations } Regular, frequent staff meetings
How about you?
} Who determines bachelor’s equivalency?
} What if a student is not bachelor’s equivalent?
} What outside resources do you use?
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Case Study No.1
} Apoorva applies to a master’s degree program at your institution. She is currently enrolled in the final year of a 5-year integrated bachelor’s + master’s degree program (3 years + 2 years) at University of Mumbai in India. She will receive both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree upon completion of the five year program.
} Per your institution’s standards, what would Apoorva need to be deemed US bachelor’s equivalent?
Case Study #2
} Michael is a student from the United Kingdom who applies to your institution. He has a 3-year bachelor’s degree from the University of London, followed by a 1-year bachelor’s (honours) degree from the University of Worchester.
} Per your institution’s standards, is Michael US bachelor’s equivalent?
Thanks for coming!
Emily Tally, Credential Analyst, Sr. [email protected]
Indiana University, Office of International Services
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