IS A COLLEGE DIPLOMA CONSIDERED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE?

There are many questions surrounding college degrees. In particular, the issue of... Is an associate degree considered a bachelor's degree? These qualifications haven't received much attention from readers. Therefore, in this article, Viet My College will delve into a detailed analysis. We guarantee that through this analysis, you will have a clearer understanding of these qualifications.

See more: 

• ORIENTATION DAY “9+ TRAINING PROGRAM 2022”

• OPENING-DAY — TAKE OFF: VIETMY SPACE CENTER IS READY TO “TAKE” YOU “OFF” TO EVERY UNIVERSE

• LIVESTREAM: GRAPHIC DESIGN CAREER: THE EXPLOSION OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEN Z

 

Is an associate degree considered a bachelor's degree?

First, before analyzing whether an associate degree can be called a bachelor's degree, let's examine the relevant information.

College level

After graduating from high school, you will continue your education at a college level. At this level, students receive extensive professional training in their chosen field. The curriculum includes both theory and practice. Compared to university, the curriculum at the college level is less demanding. 

The college program lasts 3 years. Students who graduate and meet the program completion criteria will be awarded a diploma. 

So, is an associate degree considered a bachelor's degree?

According to Circular 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH, depending on the field of study and training, a college diploma will be labeled as either "Bachelor of Practical Studies" or "Practical Engineer".

Please note that the degree has the title of Bachelor, but it is not a Bachelor's degree in the same sense as a university degree. According to Article 38 of the 2012 Higher Education Law, as amended in 2018, only university-level degrees are considered Bachelor's degrees.

What is meant by a college bachelor's degree?

For associate degrees, this is the title inscribed on the diploma. The level of qualification is different from a bachelor's degree from a university. Furthermore, associate degrees are divided into two types: regular associate degrees or vocational associate degrees. There are also the following differences:

With a formal college diploma

This is a qualification that possesses the following characteristics:

• The degree is under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training.
• Students can choose to study in the form of distance learning, part-time training, or transfer programs.
• The school designs and arranges the class schedule, and students need to ensure they attend in-person classes. 
• Regular college degrees can be transferred to university, either in the same field or a different field. Upon completing the course and receiving their diploma, students will be eligible for transfer.
• Students will receive more in-depth theoretical training than practical training.

Upon receiving the degree, the official title is Bachelor. Graduates can undertake jobs related to their field, but these are not overly complex. This is because the amount of knowledge acquired is limited compared to the university level.

With a vocational college diploma

A vocational college diploma will possess the following main characteristics:

• Vocational college training is managed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
• Students wishing to enroll do not need to take the national entrance exam. Instead, they only need to be considered based on their high school transcript.
• There are more practical lessons compared to regular college programs.
• Upon graduation, students receive a diploma from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
• To transfer to a regular college or university program, approval from the Ministry of Education and Training is required.

Graduates will possess solid technical skills and expertise. Their job prospects are quite high.

Differences between associate's and bachelor's degrees

We can easily see that the term "bachelor" is used at both college and university levels. However, there are significant differences because:

• Bachelor's degree: This term refers only to individuals who have graduated from a university as stipulated by the Higher Education Law.
• Bachelor's degree: This title is used to refer to individuals who have graduated from a vocational college as stipulated in the Law on Vocational Education.

And an associate degree will only have the title of bachelor. A bachelor's degree, in general, will only refer to students who have graduated from a university program. The learning process and academic ability required for these two degrees are different.

With an associate's degree, one can find a suitable job and continue their studies at a university. A bachelor's degree, on the other hand, offers broader job opportunities and the possibility of pursuing higher education such as master's or doctoral degrees.

Therefore, a college diploma is not the same as a bachelor's degree from a university. It's just a title according to the old regulations, as Article 38, amended in 2018, has clarified this. A bachelor's degree is only awarded to those who graduate from a regular university program.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the analysis in the article above has helped you understand whether a college diploma is considered a bachelor's degree. For any further information regarding qualifications, please leave your questions. The Viet My College counseling team will promptly and wholeheartedly assist you. Thank you for your continued support and for following articles from Viet My College.

Author: Viet My College - Date written: April 1, 2022

Category: News - Events