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    
Saint Helena Saint Helena offers no Bachelor equivalent.  
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis offers no Bachelor equivalent. While there is no university that offers 4 year Bachelor Degrees on these islands, many students choose to obtain a 4 year Bachelors Degree through the University of the West Indies (distance education).  
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia offers no Bachelor equivalent. While there is no university that offers 4 year Bachelor Degrees on these islands, many students choose to obtain a 4 year Bachelors Degree through the University of the West Indies (distance education).  
Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Pierre and Miquelon offers no Bachelor equivalent.    
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offers no Bachelor equivalent. While there is no university that offers 4 year Bachelor Degrees on these islands, many students choose to obtain a 4 year Bachelors Degree through the University of the West Indies (distance education).  
Samoa Official Bachelor's Degree (3-4 years) AND academic transcripts    
San Marino Official Laurea di 1 Nivello PLUS Master's Degree AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Sao Tome and Principe Official Grau de Bacharelato PLUS Licenciatura AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Saudi Arabia Official Baccaloreus/Bachelor's Degree (4-5 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Senegal Official, attested Maitrise AND Releve de Notes (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Serbia Official, attested transcript and Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja AND academic transcripts with English in original language translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Seychelles Seychelles offers no Bachelor equivalent.    
Sierra Leone Official Bachelor's Degree (Honors) (4 year program) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Singapore Official, attested Bachelor's of Arts/Sciences Degree or Bachelor's Degree (Honors) AND academic transcripts    
Slovakia Official Bakalar or Inzinier or Inzinier-architekt AND Diploma Supplement in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Slovenia Official Universitetni diplomirani, Akademski, or Bachelor's Degree AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands offer no Bachelor's equivalent    
Somalia Official Diploma di Laurea or Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts with English translations    
South Africa Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) or Higher Diploma in Education (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
South Korea Official Bachelor's Degree/Haksa AND academic transcripts    
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands offers no Bachelor equivalent.    
Spain Official Titulo de Licenciado (4-5 year program) or Titulo de Ingeniero (5 year program) AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Sri Lanka Official Bachelor's Degree (Special) (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Sudan Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Suriname Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Swaziland Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Sweden Official Magisterexamen (160 points) or Arkitektexamen (180 points) AND Diploma Supplement in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Switzerland Official Lizentiat, Diplom, Licence, or Licenza (3.5 to 6 year programs) AND Diploma Supplement in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Syria Official Licence or B.A. or B.S (4-5 year programs) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations