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    
Namibia Official Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (4 year program), Bachelor of Technology, or Bachelor of Engineering AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Nauru Nauru offers no Bachelor equivalent    
Nepal Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) or Bachelor's Degree (3 year program) PLUS Master's Degree (2 year program) AND individual mark sheets in original language with English translations    
Netherlands Antilles Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Netherlands Official Baccalaureus, Ingenieur, Bachelor's Degree (4 year program), or Doctorandus/Doctoranda AND Diploma Supplement in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
New Zealand Official Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Nicaragua Official Licenciatura (4-5 year program) or Titulo de Ingeniero AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Niger Official Maitrise, Diplome d'Ingenieur des Techniques Agricoles, or Diplome d'Ingenieur Agronome AND Releve de Notes Annuels (academic transcripts) with English translations    
Nigeria Official Bachelor's Degree (4-6 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Niue Niue offers no Bachelor equivalent    
Norway Official Bachelor's Degree (3 year program), Hogskolekandidat, Sivilingenior, or Candidatus/a AND Diploma Supplement in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Oman Official Bachelor's Degree (4-5 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Pakistan Official Bachelor's Degree (4+ year programs) or Bachelor's Degree (2-3 year program) PLUS Master's Degree (2 year program) AND individual mark sheets/academic transcripts    
Palua Palua offers no Bachelor's equivalent    
Palestinian Territory Official Bakalorious/Bachelor (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Panama Official Licenciatura/Licentiate (4-5 year program) AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Papua New Guinea Official Bachelor's Degree (4+year program) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations    
Paraguay Official Licenciado (4-6 year program) AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Peru Official Bachiller en.. Or Licenciado en... AND Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Philippines Official Bachelor's Degree (4-5 year program) AND academic transcripts  
Pitcairn Island Pitcairn Island offers no Bachelor equivalent  
Poland Official Dyplom Tytul Magister (4-5 year program) AND karta przebiegu studi—w (academic transcripts) or Diploma Supplement in original language with English transcripts *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Portugal Official Licenciatura/Licentiate (4-5 year program) AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Qatar Official Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND academic transcripts    
Reunion Island Official Licence PLUS Maitrise AND Releve de Notes Annuels (academic transcripts) in original language with English translations    
Romania Original Diploma de Licenta or Diploma de Inginer AND academic transcripts in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Russia Official Diplom Bakalavra/Диплом бакалавра (4 year program) or "Specialist Diploma/Диплом / diplom AND приложение к диплому (addendum to the diploma) in original language with English translations *3 year degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the department.  
Rwanda Official Licence or Bachelor's Degree (4 year program) AND Releve de Notes or academic transcripts