The Suitability of Three-Year Degrees for Entry into US Graduate School Programs

Transcription

1 The Suitability of Three-Year Degrees for Entry into US Graduate School Programs Jen Nielsen Australian Education International Embassy of Australia, Washington DC

2 The Impact of Bologna and Three-Year Degrees on US Admissions US, Australian, German and British education authorities co-hosted the symposium held in Washington, DC in November 2006 First formal USA-European discussion of recognition issues since 1994, according to the US Dept of Education Brought together a diverse group of stakeholders Academics, credential evaluators, accrediting bodies, admissions officers, professional bodies, US associations, and govt representatives

3 AACRAO Three-Year Degree Symposium Nov 06 Objectives Help participants from US institutions/ associations understand the nature of 3-year degrees Reflect on the increasing numbers of international applicants, and the need to maintain academic quality of admitted students Discuss the necessity of ensuring success by admitting appropriately-prepared and qualified students Communicate the questions, dilemmas and opportunities that 3-year degrees present

4 AACRAO Three-Year Degree Symposium Nov 06 Main themes of discussion Different philosophies of undergraduate education Measuring input vs measuring output/outcomes Equity issues The practicality of sheer numbers Increasing global competition

5 AACRAO Three-Year Degree Symposium Nov 06 Outcomes Equivalency Comparability Suitability Discussion paper released by AACRAO this week Considerations for best practice Additional questions for future discussion What about other countries with three-year degrees, and how do we handle equity issues? Global competitiveness of US graduate schools

6 Current Practices: Evaluation of 3-year degrees for admission to US grad programs Acceptance of four year bachelor s degree only Provisional acceptance of threeyear bachelor s with requirement for additional remedial / general ed courses Evaluation of the course work in threeyear degree for equivalency in content of credits and inclusion of evaluation of secondary education to further establish equivalency Determination of competency to succeed in US graduate program rather than consideration of strict equivalency % 9% 40% 22% % 4% 49% 29% Percentages of institutions reporting predominant use of these practices (CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey II (125 respondents) & III (177 respondents)

7 Australian Undergraduate Bachelor Degrees: Structure and Content Breadth vs Depth: liberal arts general education vs increasing specialisation Standard Bachelor degree is 3 years of full-time study and utilises a different approach to general education Four-year bachelor degrees in some professional areas (engineering, design, psychology) Some 5+ yr degrees (medical sciences, architecture) Double Degrees are becoming more and more common (4 to 6 years, 2 qualifications) Australian honours degree has no equivalent in USA

8 Comparison of Australian & US Business Degrees Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 3-year Bachelor of Business (Management) Michigan State University (MSU), 4-year Bachelor of Arts in General Management Both business schools accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International Both institutions offer a wide range of business specialisations, with general management major representing a generic specialisation representative of the curriculum design approach in both degrees

9 Comparison of US and Australian Bachelor of Business (Management) degrees Management Major Credit Points (US) Business Core Electives Double/ Extended Major Management Major Business Core 15 0 General Studies Electives US - MSU Australia - QUT

10 Outcomes of US/Aus Degree Comparison The MSU general studies component has no direct equivalent in the QUT degree Electives in QUT degree can play a general studies role, but are not required Some MSU introductory units are similar to final year Australian secondary school academic units Business Core + Major represent very similar education in foundation business fields, plus advanced studies in management in BOTH degrees QUT degree allows for double major, which provides for broadening within the specialised Australian approach

11 Outcomes of US/Aus Degree Comparison What are similar qualifications? And what are substantial differences that matter in terms of broad equivalence of educational outcomes? USA 4-year & Australian 3-year Business bachelor degrees have similar outcomes of professional/disciplinary/field of study knowledge (most relevant features for PG study?) There are no major reasons to believe that the MSU & QUT degrees are not broadly representative of USA & Australian Business Bachelor degrees

12 Are Australian 3-year degrees suitable for entry to US graduate study? Focus on learning outcomes and competencies vs time served Australian Qualifications Framework Australian approach to quality

13 Comparative Education Outcomes If we look at desired outcomes, three-year degrees are comparable to US four-year bachelor degrees General focus of both degrees is on specialised academic study, leading to a qualification in a major academic discipline or study, or area of professional practice Both degrees are designed to: - Provide admission to graduate study - Provide admission to the workplace

14 Comparative Education Outcomes USA 4 years of full-time study 3 study elements: 1. General Education (40-60%) 2. Major courses 3. Electives Together the major and electives comprise credits May lead to employment or further study Common Degree Titles (Bachelor, Master etc) Terminal Degrees with labour market relevance or granting access to further study Australia 3 years of full-time study 2 study elements: 1. Foundation courses in main area of study (40-60%) 2. Advanced courses in a specific discipline leading to a major A major generally comprises 20 courses May lead to employment or further study

15 The Australian Qualifications Framework How students track through the system

16 Quality Assurance Practices in Australia Australia has a comprehensive and balanced national quality assurance framework with responsibility shared between different levels of government and institutions, based on policies and frameworks that represent international best practice Australia is actively engaged in international fora such as WTO, OECD, APEC and UNESCO Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA)

17 Quality Assurance Framework for Higher Education AUQA (Australian Universities Quality Agency) audits State accreditation (based on National Protocols) National Funding support (institutions/students) national reporting performance data, tools Universities Responsible for academic standards AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) national register and award descriptions

18 All the right ingredients: recognition of Australian bachelors degrees A three-cycle (Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate) degree structure Promotion of the Diploma Supplement A credit accumulation/transfer system Accreditation/quality assurance framework Being trialled in Australia Well-practised in transfer of credit (UMAP) Quality Assurance Framework, AQF, AUQA

19 Looking Forward: Implications for Australia and the US Non-recognition of the equivalency of Australian three-year bachelor degrees presents a barrier for potential Australian graduate students to study in the US Number of Australian graduate students studying in the US has stagnated over past 5 yrs Increasing numbers of Australian graduate students are studying in UK and Europe, rather than US Australian Graduate Students Studying in the US vs UK UK US

20 Looking Forward: Implications for Australia and the US Continued growth in the number of international students receiving Australian 3-year bachelor degrees US is the foremost destination for international graduate students Potential graduate students from key sender countries (India, China and Middle East) have received a 3-year Australian bachelor degree Will US graduate schools recognise their qualifications? 120, ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 Undergraduate International Students Studying in Australia

21 About Australian Education International Promote Australia s education, science, training and research capacity internationally Represent the Australian education and training industry Provide information about the benefits of studying and living in Australia Maintain Australia s high educational standards Build strong and cooperative relationships with foreign governments, organizations and institutions

22 Thank you Jen Nielsen Manager (Education, Science and Training) Australian Education International Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC Ph: Fax: