Network for International Credential Evaluation Resources
- working together for a NICER immigrant experience in our region -
Network for International Credential Evaluation Resources
- working together for a NICER immigrant experience in our region -
Sample Country Profiles
These profiles are not designed to be all-inclusive summaries of educational systems, rather they provide a sample of what types of experiences individuals from these systems might have, and what credentials they might present when seeking employment or educational opportunities as immigrants.
Brazil
9+3+4-6
Primary and secondary education in Brazil is very decentralized, with a common national basis, but individualized components at the local level. The primary level of education was 8 years prior to 2010, but at that time, the national government mandated compulsory education should begin at age 6 rather than age 7. After the completion of the primary level, students move on to secondary school and earn a Certificado de Ensino Medio. The Ministry of Education and Culture recognizes a wide variety of institutions which offer tertiary level educational programs, but all diplomas must be registered with and validated by a university. Undergraduate programs lead to Titulo, Grau de Bacharel, Titulo de Licenciado, or Titulo Profissional. Professional education programs in Brazil is structured to prepare and train workers, independent from level of education. At the higher education level, Tecnologo degree programs are 3 years and the degree provides access to graduate studies.
Egypt
12+4(6)
Egypt has a long history and culture of education. The oldest university in the world is The Al-Azhar University, founded in 988. Education is accessible by two pathways in Egypt - the religious network of schools is under the authority of the Ministry of Al-Azhar Affairs and follows the same curriculum as Ministry of Education (secular) schools, but also includes study of the Koran. Currently, primary and secondary education represents 12 years of education. Undergraduate studies through the doctoral level are offered at 12 public (state) universities and 4 private institutions. Admission requires either a General Secondary Education Certificate (comparable to a high school diploma) or an Advanced Technical Diploma (awarded after 5 years of technical upper secondary school comparable to vocational/technical high schools in the United States). Undergraduate studies generally take 4-6 years, depending on field of study. A Master's degree is typically 2 years after the bachelor's degree. Students may also earn an Diploma of Higher Studies (1-2 years) in a professional/research oriented field.
Guatemala
6+3+2(or 3)+4(6)
At just under 70%, Guatemala has one of the lowest literacy rates for adults in Central America, and the education system continues to be impacted by the 40 years of civil war from the 1950's through 1996. Despite significant improvement in attendance, it is important to note that just over 60% of students complete primary school (6 years). Of those who complete the primary level, less than 30% move onto basic or lower secondary school, which is an additional 3 years. Upper secondary school is 2 years for the academic program and 3 years for the technical/vocational track. There is only one public university in the country: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala which was founded in 1676. The Ministry of Education also recognizes a number of private universities in the country. Admission to university level studies generally based on a Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras - earned after academic secondary (ciclo diversicado) or technical/vocational school. The Titulo de Licenciado is the first level of university study and generally takes 4-6 years, depending on field of study. There are also technical/vocational post-secondary studies lasting 2-3 years. Students in these programs earn a Tecnico or Diplomado, but these credentials do not provide access to additional post-secondary study and are not interchangable with the TItulo de Licenciado. Secondary school teachers complete a 3 year program at universities and earn a Profesor de Ensenaza Media. Many credentials received from 2005 onward have been entered into a publicly accessible database so that documents can be verified.
Haiti
6+3+4+4 (traditional) or 9+3+4 (reform)
Modeled after the French education system, the Haitian education system remains devastated both operationally and physically by the impact of the 2010 earthquake in the region, as well as the instability in the political and economic situation around the country. In the traditional structure, students who have access to educational institutions will complete primary education in 6 years and then progress to the two-stage traditional secondary level. The first stage leads to a Baccalaureat I after 3 years and the second stage leading to a Baccalaureat II is completed at the end of an additional 4 years. In the reform system, Primary education is 9 years, leading to a Brevet d'Enseignment Fondamental. Academic and Technical Secondary education is an additional 3 year program and leads to either a Technical Certificate or a Baccalaureat/Diplome d'Ensignement Secondaire. Most higher education is provided by institutions overseen by the Ministry of Education, with the first cycle (undergraduate) of study leading to a Licence after 4 years. There are additional advanced training institutes leading to diplomas and certificates in many professional fields which may allow admission after the Baccalaureat I or Brevet d'Enseignment Fondamental.
India
8+2+2+3(or 4)
The education system in India reflects the long history of British colonization in the region. As a large and diverse country with vastly different economic realities among the population, Indian education is at the forefront of the government agenda for building a strong country. External government-sponsored board examinations are hallmarks of the primary and secondary benchmark credentials. There are many changes planned in the next few years, but the testing will remain a distinguishing feature of the system. The current reforms in place will impact both primary/secondary and tertiary education cycles. After completing 8 years of primary school, students enter a lower secondary program, which is administered either by a state or national board of education. The boards of education create and regulate the curriculum that schools offer. It is not uncommon to see academic credentials from different sources. After two years, many education boards will issue a certificate of secondary education on the basis of formal, externally scored examinations. Students may then opt to continue at the same school, with the same board of education offering examinations and a certification of higher secondary education after an additional two years. Alternatively, students may change schools - often to a school which offers an opportunity to take a different board examination. Vocational education is structured in a similar way, though generally lasts 3 years at the upper secondary level. Tertiary education is offered at colleges generally affiliated to larger university systems - and educational documents will be issued by both. Diplomas are offered in many vocational fields. Bachelor degrees are in focused fields of study without general education requirements and have traditionally been 3 year programs, though many have moved to a 4 year duration. Professional qualifications are offered not only through traditional academic degree programs, but through many trade-associated educational bodies and societies.
