The Bologna Processand

Three-Year Bachelor Degrees

Frank Einhellig

January 16, 2008

323 International GraduateStudents, Fall 2007

Reasons for Consideration

International graduate student number is expanding at MSU

The highest number is from India, followed by China.

Number students from Europe, especially Eastern Europe is growing

Missouri State must evaluate credential for admission to graduate programs

U.S. International Enrollments from “3-Year” Degree Countries

Students from Europe represented 2.2% of the total graduate enrollment in the U.S. in 2006-2007

Universities in 26 non-European countries award a first degree upon completion of a 3-year programGraduate students from these countries

represent 2.3% of the total graduate enrollment in the U.S.

Occurrence of 3-Year Bachelor’s Programs

India

Europe

26 other non-European countriesAngola, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, and Vietnam

The Burden of Credentials and Admission Considerations:

Some sharing of decision responsibilities– International Student Services– Graduate College– Program Directors

Outside evaluators may be utilized– Example: WES = World Education Services– There are substantial monetary costs– Costs also exist in terms of time.

The Bologna ProcessThe Bologna Process is a series of changes being implemented in Europe to restructure tertiary education in accordance with the Bologna Declaration.

European agreement initiated in 1999

By 2007, 46 countries had signed

Created a European Higher Education Area (EHEA)

Purpose of fostering increased mobility of students and graduates throughout Europe

Enable European universities to attract international students in competition with U.S., Canada, and Australia

Bologna Goal (1)

Restructure the European university degree into a 2-cycle undergraduate and graduate sequence

Undergraduate degree must be a minimum of 3-years

Must qualify for entrance to 2nd cycle

The 2nd cycle degree qualifies for access to doctoral programs

Common Outcome of Restructuring

Five year program culminating in a masters will restructure to:

3 (UG) + 2 (Masters)

or

4 + 1; 3 ½ + 1 ½ ; 3 ½ + 2; 4 + 2

Convert institutional university grade reports to a standardized European credit transfer and accumulation system (ECTS)

Grades for those who pass are to be standardized:A (10%) B (25%) C (30%) D (25%) E

(10%)

One year of full-time study represents a total of 60 ECTS

Bologna Goal (2)

Typical Degree Credits: Bologna Process

Bachelor’s: 180-240 ECTS credits

Master’s: 60-120 ECTS credits

Bologna-Compliant Bachelor’s

How will we treat a Bologna-compliant bachelor’s in terms of admissions?

Eligibility for admission to a graduate program in the United States

Issues in determining if a degree is equivalent to a bachelor’s in the United States

Some degrees will be 3 years; others longer

How will U.S. Universities Treat Degrees from Bologna bachelors?

Some will accept and admitSome may develop special undergraduate “bridge” programsSome may consider other factors, such as research or employment experienceSome may require completion of a year or part of the master’s program of the Bologna compliant credential

Admission to a Graduate Program in the United States

A Bachelor’s is a common requirement…

…but not a universal requirement.

Many U.S. universities admit high school graduates to a Master of (some program – like Architecture or Engineering). These students may not receive a bachelor’s on their way to a master’s.

Most U.S. graduate schools will admit applicants holding a professional degree (e.g. JD; DDS; MD; DVM; PharmD) – when no Bachelor’s degree was ever completed.

Graduate Admission of 3-Year Bachelor’s

Some U.S. Schools do; some don’t

Often argued that these students have completed as much course work in the major as a U.S. undergraduate degree

General Education is typically the missing component

Missouri State University Admissions

Admission with 3-year bachelor’s degree has been on a case by case basis with Program Directors having some latitude

Admission of European master-only students has been a discussion each time– More problematic, is the student with 4.5 years

of a master’s degree sequence, but not completed…

MSU International Graduate Student Admission

Does the current verbiage in the Graduate Catalog need to be revised?

“Complete academic record including proof of degree attained. The applicant must have completed all requirements that are equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree in an accredited, licensed, or recognized college or university and have appropriate undergraduate training to pursue the graduate degree of the applicant’s choice.”

(Page 35, International Student Admission)

Conclusions

Bologna Process is not a single event, but a process in progress that will harmonize degree and credit

Implications for Missouri State Program- We must evaluate degree and credit for

admission- Evaluate credits for readiness at another level- Implications for partnership degree programs

Immediate Issues to Consider

Will the program accept students from 3-year bachelor’s program? (Europe and elsewhere)

Does the Graduate Catalog need any modification in wording concerning admission criteria?

Some Website Reviews

http://www.wes.org/ewen/bolognaprocess.htm

http://www.wes.org/ewen/04Jan/Feature.htm

http://www.wes.org/ewenr/04March/Feature.htm