Online Guide to. Educational Systems. Around the World Albania

Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World Albania Submitted by Barbara B. Glave and Agron Matoshi February 2013

About NAFSA NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a member organization promoting international education and providing professional development opportunities to the field. Hundreds of NAFSA members volunteer to serve the Association and thousands advocate for international education. NAFSA serves international educators and their institutions and organizations by establishing principles of good practice, providing training and professional development opportunities, providing networking opportunities, and advocating for international education. For more information about NAFSA, visit www.nafsa.org. In 1948, NAFSA pioneered the concept of providing professional services for postsecondary exchange students. Early efforts to enhance living and learning environments for exchange students have blossomed into today s active association of accomplished professionals whose numbers continue to grow worldwide. Notice of Liability The information in these documents is distributed on an As is basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of each document, neither the submitter(s) nor NAFSA shall have any liability to any persons nor entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in any of these documents. Information about each country was current at the time of upload. Education systems change periodically and updates will be written to reflect significant changes, once known. Please note that while NAFSA periodically verified the Web site links included in these e- Publications, NAFSA cannot guarantee that every link will be current at the time of download. Acceptable Use Guidelines Electronic resources are provided for the benefit of the international education community. However, commercial use, systematic or excessive downloading, or electronic redistribution of these publications are all expressly prohibited. 2013 NAFSA: Association of International Educators. All rights reserved. Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World 1

Instructions for Using the Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World Susan Whipple, Editor May 2011 These documents are updates to those in the 1999 publication A Guide to Educational Systems Around the World (which was an update to The Handbook on the Placement of Foreign Graduate Students, published in 1990 and colloquially known as the "Graduate Handbook.") It is important to note that these documents do not replace either of the earlier publications, which should be used for credentials issued prior to 1999, the period those publications cover. Readers familiar with the original version of A Guide to Educational Systems Around the World will note that these updates use the same format: 1. Each of these publications provides lists of credentials and other data that can be used both for undergraduate and graduate admissions. 2. "Advice for admissions officers" is intentionally not provided. We have attempted to avoid all types of subjective interpretation, relying instead on objective data. Users of these updates should use the information provided in conjunction with other resources to determine their own placement recommendations and possibility of transfer credit. Questions about credentials can be posted on the Admission and Credential Evaluation discussion forum on the Recruitment, Admissions, and Preparation Knowledge Community: http://www.nafsa.org/aceforums. For information on how to subscribe to the network, please visit www.nafsa.org/networksubscribe. Please note that these updates should be supplemented by additional written materials that describe complete foreign educational systems, including data on specific institutions, and by professional training in the theory and practice of credential evaluation. Many of these resources are available from NAFSA, either as printed publications or on-line. The need for institution support for budgetary resources and training for undergraduate and graduate admissions personnel remains important, regardless of the increased availability of resources on the Web. These publications were compiled by many authors using a standardized template and style. Although minor variations among entries do occur, the basic guidelines are explained as follows: Educational Ladder 2 Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World

The year or half-year at which a credential is awarded is the point at which the corresponding credential letter is placed. In the example above, credential A is awarded after the 9th year of education. Note that the corresponding letter is placed directly below the number 9. All normal possibilities of the total number of years of education that a credential might require are indicated on the ladder. This occurs for credential B, in which the credential can be awarded after either 12 or 13 total years of education. An explanation is provided in the description of the credential whenever a letter appears on the ladder more than once. There are a few cases when this multiple-listing style was not used; in these cases, there are explanatory comments. An arrow ( ) is used after a credential letter in cases where no maximum length of study for a particular program is specified, or where the study time is open-ended. For example, a doctor of philosophy degree program may require a minimum of three years of enrollment. The corresponding credential letter with an arrow will appear under the minimum number of total years of education required to earn the Ph.D. Explanations About Documents Credentials are divided into two categories: secondary and postsecondary. The decision to include the credential under one or the other category is not a subjective one a credential is determined to be either secondary or postsecondary according to its designation by the country of origin, regardless of how individual institutions might perceive the level (and recommend transfer credit). Numerical endnotes, placed directly after the complete list of credentials, are used when a lengthy explanation about a credential is necessary. Foreign Terms and Words Foreign terms are used whenever possible, and are translated literally, in most cases. Literal translations are used to avoid subjectivity. We have attempted to be consistent with translations across languages, though readers may notice some differences between countries because of preferences indicated by the submitters. Credential evaluators and admissions personnel should always rely on official foreign language documents, using translations only as guides. Grading lnformation Only the most common grading scales used in each country are listed. Evaluators understand that variations in grading are common and that one should always consult the grading information that may be provided on official transcripts. Rather than making grade equivalency statements, the submitter(s) of the update provided information regarding grading practices within the countries. Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World 3

ALBANIA YEARS OF EDUCATION 1 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 A B C D E E F G H H H H F G CREDENTIALS OR DOCUMENTATION Primary-Secondary A B Lower cycle of basic education (first basic stage / elementary education): Grades I to V at a shkollë 9-vjecare (nine-year school); approximate age of student is 6-11; duration is 5 years; type of institution is Cikël i Ulët (Elementary); compulsory; no credential earned. Upper cycle of basic education (second basic stage / primary education): Grades VI to IX at a shkollë 9-vjecare (nine-year school); approximate age of student is 11-15; duration is 4 years; type of institution is Cikël i Lartë (Primary); compulsory; the Provime Lirimi tests students in language, literature, and math; credential earned is Dëftesë Lirimi (Leaving Certificate); admission requires the first stage of basic education. C Pre-university academic education: Grades X to XII; approximate age of student is 15-18; duration is 3 years; type of institution is a Gjimnaz (Academic High School); credential earned is Dëftesë Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate); credential B is required for admission. Note: Previously called general secondary, pre-university academic education offers two tracks, technical and social sciences, corresponding to sciences and arts. Students may choose their track. D Pre-university vocational education: Grades X to XIII; approximate age of student is 15-19; type of institution is Shkollë Teknike (Technical High School); credential earned is Dëftesë e përfundimit dhe Çertifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar (Final Certificate and Statement of Vocational Abilities); credential B is required for admission. Students choose their track, such as agriculture, economics, fine arts, foreign language, nursing and medical laboratory technology, and physical education, among others. This 4-year dual academic-vocational program provides eligibility to seek undergraduate admission as well as employment in the designated field. That is, the Dëftesë e përfundimit [final (school-leaving) certificate] portion of the program qualifies the bearer to seek undergraduate admission with the major determined by the points earned. The Çertifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar (Statement of Vocational Abilities) portion of the program affords a workforce credential in the designated area. NOTES: 1. Effective with legislation passed in 2008, Albania has phased out the 8-year basic education system; for information regarding the prior 8+4 system, see such resources as EuroEducation.net or World Higher Education Database (WHED). 2. Secondary school students must pass maturity examinations in order to graduate and be awarded the Dëftesë Pjekurie (Certificate of Maturity). State maturity testing has mandatory exams in math, literature, and English; these equate to the completion of secondary education. Maturity testing also includes two exams chosen from a list of ten; these elective exams are taken to seek admission to public institutions of higher eduation; private institutions generally do not require the elective maturity testing. Separate post-secondary entrance examinations may also be required to confirm mastery of such areas as art, physical education, architecture, 4 Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World

and foreign language. The size of incoming post-secondary enrollment in certain majors is set each year by the Albanian government. 2. Vocational training is also offered in certificate programs ranging from four weeks to two years; these are not considered pre-university vocational education and do not lead to tertiary admission. Tertiary Types of Institutions: For all undergraduate / graduate cycles: Universitet (University) and Akademi (Academy). For first cycle or stage of undergraduate: Shkollë e Lartë jo Universitare (Non-University Higher School) and Kolegji Profesional (Professional College). E F G First cycle or stage [Diplomë e Nivelit të Parë (first-cycle degree Bachelor, abbreviated as DNP)]: Duration is 6 semesters / 3 years / 180 ECTS* (most majors); coursework is required but thesis is generally not required; type of institution is universitet (university), akademi (academy), shkollë e lartë jo universitare (non-university higher school), or kolegji profesional (professional college); credential earned istitull (title) or Diplomë (bachelor). First-cycle studies may be full-time (me kohë të plotë) or part-time (me kohë të pjesshme). Admission requires credential C (Dëftesë Pjekurie / Maturity Certificate) and entrance examinations; students holding credential D (Dëftesë e përfundimit dhe Çertifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar / Final Certificate and Statement of Vocational Abilities) are admitted to first-cycle programs in accordance with the points earned. Master i Nivelit të Parë (Master of the First Level, abbreviated as MNP) / Master Profesional (Professional Master s) is the lower of the two degrees comprising the second cycle or stage [Diplomë e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare (Diploma of Advanced Studies / Master)]. Duration is 2-3 semesters / 1-1.5 years / 60-90 ECTS; coursework and training are required but thesis is generally not required; credential earned is Master i Nivelit të Parë (Master of the First Level); credential E is required for admission. Note: The first-level credential of the second cycle or stage (Master i Nivelit të Parë / MNP) is primarily professional and does not give direct access to third-cycle or stage research. High-school teachers need credential F in their fields. Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë (Second-Cycle Degree / Master, abbreviated as DND) / Master i Shkencave (Master of Science) is the higher of the two degrees comprising the second cycle or stage [Diplomë e Studimeve të Thelluara pasuniversitare (Diploma of Advanced Studies / Master)]. Duration is 4 semesters / 2 years / 120 ECTS beyond first cycle or stage; coursework, training, and thesis are required; credential earned is Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë (Second Cycle Degree) / Master i Shkencave (Master of Science); credential E is required for admission. Students completing credential F may be able to transfer into credential G with credit for MNP coursework related to the DND major; however, institutional policies differ in regards to such transfers. NOTES: 1. The second-level credential of the second cycle or stage (Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë / DND) encompasses the full 2-year European Higher Education Area / EHEA (Bologna) second cycle, is considered the professional level in Albania, and gives access to third-cycle or stage (doctoral) programs. 2. Professional programs such as architecture, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and human medicine incorporate both first and second cycles or stages; such programs lead to the Diplomë e Integruar e Nivelit të Dytë (DIND) / Master i Shkencave (Integrated Second Level Degree / Master of Science). These programs Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World 5

H generally require 10 semesters / 5 years to 12 semesters / 6 years. Lawyers (barristers) must pass a state exam prior to professional practice. Upon graduation, physicians enter professional practice as general practitioners without state exams; for medical specialties, additional courses of study, 2 to 4 years, are required. Niveli i Tretë i Studimeve [Third cycle Degree / Doktoratura / Doktor i Shkencave (Doctor of Sciences)]: Duration is 6-10 semesters / 3-5 years beyond the second cycle or stage. Coursework (60 ECTS) is required; doctorants (doctoral students) may transfer the 60 ECTS from a qualifying Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë / DND. Dissertation with juried defense is required; additional requirements include three publications (minimum of one in recognized international journal) and three conference activities / presentations (minimum of one in international setting); credential earned is Doktor i Shkencave (Doctor of Sciences). Admission based on Credential F requires 60 ECTS of graduate coursework; admission based on Credential G does not require further graduate coursework; both require research culminating in a dissertation. NOTES: 1. The third cycle or stage includes long-term specializations, 2-4 years, in such professions as law, economics and health sciences / medicine. 2. In addition to having a doctoral degree (Doktor i Shkencave / Doctor of Sciences), university professors are required to substantiate prior research, teaching, and publishing. The docent is a university instructor with research experience; the dekan is a university dean or provost. Other post-secondary teaching positions include the pedagog (schoolmaster) and asistent (assistant), neither of which requires a doctoral degree. *ECTS = European Credit Transfer System; most credentials analysts equate 2 ECTS to one semester credit hour in the U.S. GRADE SCALE Based on 1 to 10, with 5 as minimum passing grade, all levels generally use the following scale: 10/dhjetë = ten (excellent) 9 / nëntë = nine (very good) 8 / tetë = eight (good) 7 / shtatë = seven (average) 6 / gjashtë = six (satisfactory) 5 / pesë = five (lowest passing grade) 4 / katër = four (failing) 3 / tre, tri = three (failing) 2 / dy = two (failing) 1 / një = one (failing) PRINCIPAL ENTITIES FOR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION The MINISTRIA E ARSIMIT DHE E SHKENCËS (Ministry of Education and Science, abbreviated as MASH) is responsible for all levels of education, elementary through tertiary including professional; organizes the Albanian system of higher education and research; monitors HEI institutions; and is responsible for spending on institutions and specialized institutions. 6 Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World

Address: Rruga e Durrësit, 23; Tiranë 1001, Albania Phone: +355-4-222-6307 Fax: +355-4-223-2002 Web: www.mash.gov.al Both the Albanian Rectors' Conference and the DREJTORIA E POLITIKAVE TË ARSIMIT TË LARTË (Department of Policies on Higher Education) may be accessed through MASH above. The Department of Policies, which coordinates, monitors, and implements Albanian higher education policies, may be reached by phone / fax at + 355-4-222-7975. The AGJENCIA PUBLIKE E AKREDITIMIT TË ARSIMIT TË LARTË (Public Agency for the Accreditation of Higher Education, abbreviated as APAAL) may be reached by phone / fax at +355-4-225-7954 or on the web at www.aaal.edu.al. The agency supports quality assurance and is responsible for accreditation procedures. The Albanian system allows for dual accreditation, both of the institution and of programs of study. First-cycle study programs must be accredited; credentials from unregulated professions lead to the workforce, not to the next educational level. TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS To access listings of accredited public and private institutions, see APAAL: http://www.aaal.edu.al/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=354&itemid=146&lang= sq (in Albanian). http://www.aaal.edu.al/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=811&itemid=309&lang= en (in English) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Albania became a signatory to the Bologna Declaration (European Higher Education Area) in Berlin in 2003. The prevailing tertiary legislation is the Higher Education Law No. 9741, effective 5-21-2007 (and amendments). All institutions of higher education, except for Skanderbeg Military University (previously Skanderbeg Military Academy), are governed by this law which implements the usual Bologna degree sequencing. Academies and universities, both of which are authorized to offer the three principal Bologna cycles, provide instruction as well as research. Non-university higher schools and professional colleges, which offer mainly first-cycle programs, focus on instruction in applied fields; some second-cycle programs m available. Post-secondary programs are provided on a full-time, part-time, and on-line basis, with part-time distance and correspondence education at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Lifelong higher (continuing) education courses for workforce purposes culminate in a Dëshmi (certificate). The academic year runs from September to June / October to July. The official language is Albanian; however, other languages are spoken. The literacy rate for total population is 98.7%. Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World 7

RESOURCES Association of International Universities: Albania, 2008-09: http://archive.www.iauaiu.net/onlinedatabases/pdf/albania.pdf EducationUSA Country Profile: Albania: http://www.educationusa.info/tirana Email correspondence with Hysni Ahmetaj, Lecturer at Universiteti Aleksandër Moisiu, March 2012 European Commission Tempus: Higher Education in Albania, October, 2010: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/participating_countries/reviews/albania_review_of_higher_ed ucation.pdf Interview with Linda Pustina, Ph.D., Director of Higher Education and Science and Research at the Ministry of Education and Science, August, 2012 Interview with Fatmir Vejsiu, Director of Department of Pre-University Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, August, 2012 Ministry of Education and Science: http://www.mash.gov.al/?lang=en NUFFIC Country Module on Albania, 2012: http://www.nuffic.nl/en/files/documents/ diplomarecognition/country-modules/country-module-albania.pdf World Higher Education Database: Albania, 2005-06: http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/albanco.htm Note: Resources prior to enactment of Higher Education Law No. 9741 of 2007 may have pre- Bologna educational information GLOSSARY OF COMMON EDUCATIONAL TERMS IN ALBANIA Agjencia Publike e Akreditimit të Arsimit të Lartë Akademi Cikël i Lartë Cikël i Ulët Dëftesë e përfundimit dhe Çertifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar Dëftesë Lirimi Dëftesë Pjekurie Dëshmi Public Agency for the Accreditation of Higher Education Academy (for all tertiary cycles; specialized for art, film, police, etc.) Upper cycle of basic education Lower cycle of basic education Final (School-Leaving) Certificate and Statement of Vocational Abilities (dual academic-vocational program) Leaving Certificate (Basic-Education) Maturity Certificate (Academic High School) Certificate (not benchmark qualification) 8 Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World

Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë Diplomë e Nivelit të Parë Diplomë e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare Diplomimi i infermiereve Doktor i Shkencave Edukatorë për Çerdhe dhe Kopësht Femijesh Gjimnaz Kolegji Profesional Master i Nivelit të Parë Me Kohë të Pjesshme Me Kohë të Plotë Mësues për Shkollat e Mesme Mësues të Ciklit Parashkollor Ministria e Arsimit dhe e Shkencës Niveli i Tretë i Studimeve Shkollë e Lartë jo Universitare Universitet Master of Second Cycle (second year of master's degree studies) First-Cycle Degree (bachelor's degree) Diploma of Advanced Studies (full second cycle comprising both master's degrees) Nursing Diploma Doctor of Sciences Diploma of Preschool Teacher Academic High School Professional College (mainly for first cycle of undergraduate) Master of First Level of Second Cycle (first year of master's degree studies) Part-time study Full-time study Diploma of Secondary School Teacher Diploma of Primary School Teacher Ministry of Education and Sciences Third-Cycle Degree (doctorate) Non-University Higher School (mainly for first cycle of undergraduate) University (for all tertiary cycles) Submitted by Barbara B. Glave Academic Credential Evaluations, LLC Agron Matoshi SpanTran Evaluation Services February 2013 Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World 9