Degree Equivalencies

In the U.S. educational system, bachelor's degree recipients have 16 years of formal education — 12 years of elementary and secondary education plus four years of post-secondary study — which qualify them for admission to advanced degree programs. This is the benchmark we use to evaluate foreign educational systems.

When reviewing academic records from a school outside the U.S., we assess whether the applicant has reached an academic level equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Our admissions staff is proficient in reviewing academic records from different educational systems around the world.

In rare instances when our admissions staff is unable to verify the nature or authenticity of foreign academic documents, the applicant may be asked to provide supplemental information or to obtain an evaluation from a foreign credential evaluation service.

In some educational systems, the first university degree may be obtained after three years of post-secondary study. Holders of such degrees may be eligible for graduate admission depending upon:

  • Evaluation of the degree by admissions staff in the Office of Graduate Studies
  • Recommendation regarding degree equivalence and evaluation of the application as a whole from the Graduate Committee of the academic program in which the applicant is applying

 

Degrees the University of Arkansas typically consider equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Diplomas, the Higher National Diploma (H.N.D.), certificates, memberships or associate memberships in some professional organizations, and some bachelor's and technical degrees are not considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for the purpose of gaining admission to the Graduate School. Note to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka: a 2-3 year bachelor's degree does not qualify an applicant for admission to the Graduate School. Generally, only a 4-5 year bachelor's degree or a 2 year master's degree beyond the 2-3 year bachelor's program will qualify such students for studies.

Country Required Credential    
Haiti Official Diplome or Licence (4-5 year programs) AND Releve de notes (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Honduras Official Licenciado or Titulo de (Ingeniero, abofado, etc.) AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Hong Kong Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Hungary Official Foiskolai Oklevel (4 year program) or Egyetemi Oklevel AND Diploma Supplement (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Iceland Official Baccalaureatus Artium / Educationis / Scientiarum AND Diploma Supplement with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
India Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) or Bachelor's Degree (3 year program) PLUS Post Graduate Diploma AND individual mark sheets    
Indonesia Official, attested Sarjana Strata Satu AND academic transcripts with English translations    
Iran Official, attested Karshenasi/Lisans (4 year program) AND academic trascripts with English translations    
Iraq Official, attested Bachelor's Degree (4-6 year programs) AND academic transcripts with English translations    
Ireland Official Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (4 year program) AND Diploma Supplement *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Isle Of Man Isle of Man offers no Bachelor equivalent *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Israel Official, attested Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Italy Official, attested Diploma di Licenza, Diploma di Specializzazione di 2 livello, or Diploma di Instituto Superiore di Industrie Astistiche in original language AND academic transcripts with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.