Credential Templates, Exercises of English

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Page 1 of 131 Credential Templates – Republic of Colombia Bachiller(ato) (Baccalaureate) ......................................................................................... 2 Técnico Profesional (Professional Technician) and Técnico Profesional Especialista (Specialist Professional Technician)...................... 11 Tecnólogo/a (Technologist) and Tecnólogo/a Especialista (Specialist Technologist) 18 Normalista Superior (Teacher, preschool and elementary school levels).................. 25 Undergraduate degrees: Profesional (‘Professional’), Licenciado/a (Licentiate), Maestro/a (‘Master’), and others................................................................................... 31 Licenciado/a (Licentiate)................................................................................................ 40 Ingeniero/a (Engineer).................................................................................................... 50 Enfermera/o (Nurse)....................................................................................................... 58 Fisioterapeuta (Physiotherapist) and Terapeuta Ocupacional (Occupational Therapist)......................................................................................................................... 66 Abogado/a (Lawyer) ....................................................................................................... 75 Odontólogo/a (Dentist) ................................................................................................... 83 Médico (Physician) / Médico y Cirujano (Physician and Surgeon)............................ 91 Médico Veterinario (Veterinarian), Zootecnista (Zootechnist), and Médico Veterinario y Zootecnista (Veterinarian and Zootechnist) ....................................... 101 Especialista (Specialist) ................................................................................................ 110 Magíster (Master) ......................................................................................................... 116 Magíster en Administración de Negocios/Empresas (Master of Business Administration, MBA).................................................................................................. 121 Doctor (Doctor) ............................................................................................................. 127 Page 2 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Bachiller(ato) (Baccalaureate) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Upper secondary program Credential Actual Name: Bachiller/Bachillerato (en) xx Credential English Name: Baccalaureate in xx / xx Baccalaureate Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Bachiller/Bachillerato Académico Bachiller/Bachillerato Comercial Bachiller/Bachillerato Industrial Bachiller/Bachillerato Pedagógico Bachiller/Bachillerato en Promoción Social Bachiller/Bachillerato en Ciencias Naturales Bachiller/Bachillerato con Profundización en Educación Maestro/a, Maestro/a Bachiller, Maestro/a Superior, Normalista Superior (prior to mid-1990s) Etc. Credential Alternate English Name(s): Academic Baccalaureate Commercial Baccalaureate Industrial Baccalaureate Pedagogical Baccalaureate Baccalaureate in Social Service Baccalaureate in Natural Sciences Baccalaureate with a Focus in Education Baccalaureate in Teacher Education (prior to the mid-1990s) Etc. Note: For a more detailed listing of bachiller(ato) types, please refer to the subsection on program types. Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Baccalaureate diplomas are issued by individual schools but in the name of the republic. Schools providing secondary education are usually called colegios, liceos, gimnasios, institutos, or centros educativos. Admission Requirements: Successful completion of Grade 9 (i.e. lower secondary education). Program Description: The title of bachiller is awarded to Colombian students upon completion of upper secondary studies. Upper secondary education in Colombia is not compulsory and covers grades 10 and 11. Typically this level of education is referred to as educación media or educación media vocacional. The use of the word vocacional (vocational) does not mean that the program provides occupational or technical training but rather that it allows students to specialize in either an academic or a more professionally-oriented area. The actual program of study is commonly referred to as bachillerato (literally the baccalaureate), Page 5 of 131 • Language of instruction: In most Colombian secondary schools, the language of instruction is Spanish. International schools offer bilingual education. Indigenous groups also have the right to receive education in Spanish and in their mother tongue within the territories they have traditionally inhabited. • Program types: Because of the specialized nature of upper secondary education in Colombia, traditionally the bachillerato programs have been described in terms of their type (tipo), modality (modalidad), specialty (especialidad or opción), or area (área). Over the years, the actual baccalaureate streams have changed little, but during different time periods, the programs were officially grouped in different ways. In practice, there was great overlap in terms of the time periods and the nomenclature. Types of bachilleratos (i.e. baccalaureate programs) offered during different time periods a) Starting in 1994 Spanish designation English translation Bachillerato académico Bachillerato (in a specialization) Academic baccalaureate Baccalaureate (in a specialization) b) Officially starting in 1978* Spanish designation English translation Bachillerato en ciencias Ciencias matemáticas Ciencias naturales Ciencias humanas Bachillerato en tecnología Pedagógico Industrial Agropecuaria Comercial Salud y nutrición Educación física y recreación Promoción de la comunidad Bachillerato en arte Bellas artes Artes aplicadas Baccalaureate in sciences Mathematical sciences Natural sciences Human sciences Baccalaureate in technology Pedagogy Industrial General agriculture Commercial Health and nutrition Physical education and recreation Community development Baccalaureate in arts Fine arts Applied arts * These reforms to the bachillerato programs were legislated by Decree 1419 in July 1978, but they were never uniformly implemented by Colombian schools and the old nomenclature largely prevailed. c) Starting in 1974 Spanish designation English translation Page 6 of 131 Bachillerato académico or Bachillerato clásico* Bachillerato comercial Bachillerato industrial Bachillerato agropecuario Bachillerato en promoción social Bachillerato pedagógico or Formación normalista Academic baccalaureate or Classical baccalaureate Commercial baccalaureate Industrial baccalaureate Agricultural baccalaureate Baccalaureate in social service Pedagogical baccalaureate or Teacher training * The only difference between the academic and the classical program was that the latter would in most cases offer Latin as a second language. d) Prior to 1974 Spanish designation English translation Bachillerato académico or Bachillerato clásico Bachillerato técnico comercial Bachillerato técnico industrial Bachillerato técnico agrícola Educación normalista (leading to the titles of Maestro/a*, Maestro/a Bachiller, Maestro/a Superior, or Normalista Superior) Academic baccalaureate or Classical baccalaureate Technical commercial baccalaureate Technical industrial baccalaureate Technical agricultural baccalaureate Teacher education (for preschool and elementary school teachers) *Maestro denotes a male teacher while maestra is the feminine form of the word. In 1994, the new General Law of Education divided baccalaureate programs into those with an academic orientation (carácter académico) and those with a technical orientation (carácter técnico). − Academic orientation: academic core + academic specialization The purely academic stream offers students general academic education plus the option to specialize in a specific academic area such as natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts, or foreign languages. Those who complete the program graduate with the title of bachiller académico (academic baccalaureate) and generally enter higher education. The academic baccalaureate has been by far the most popular one among Colombian students. It is also the type of baccalaureate program that private schools tend to offer. − Technical orientation: academic core + professionally-oriented specialization The technical stream aims to prepare students for entry into higher education as well as for employment in a specific field. The numerous areas students can specialize in include agriculture, commerce, finances, administration, ecology, industry, computing, mining, health, recreation, tourism, sports, and others as determined by regional and labour market demands. Graduates from all modalities of the technical stream receive the title of bachiller in their chosen specialization. Page 7 of 131 At the upper secondary level, a school will normally offer only one or two kinds of bachillerato. The National Institutes of Diversified Middle Education (Institutos Nacionales de Educación Media Diversificada or INEM), frequently described as comprehensive secondary schools, are an exception since they have been designed to provide various types of academically- and technically-oriented bachilleratos. The escuelas normales superiores (teacher training schools; literally higher normal schools) also offer secondary education with a focus on academic subjects and teacher training. Another type of institutions authorized to provide secondary education are military schools (colegios militares), although the military secondary school diploma (bachiller militar or bachiller académico con orientación militar) is not very common. • Curriculum: Before the General Law of Education came into effect in 1994, the curriculum for upper secondary education was organized around the major subject areas outlined below. Presently, the core of the curriculum consists of the so called obligatory and fundamental areas (áreas obligatorias y fundamentales). The current legislation does not dictate the exact distribution of hours, which is determined by individual schools, but it does stipulate that the subjects taught as part of the obligatory and fundamental areas must account for a minimum of 80% of the total instructional hours. Options within the obligatory areas and possible additional subjects are chosen and developed by individual schools. Core areas of upper secondary school curricula Prior to 1994 After 1994 Core areas: − Spanish language − Mathematics − Social studies − Natural sciences − Aesthetic and manual education − Religion − Physical education − Technology studies − Foreign language − Philosophy Obligatory and fundamental areas (min. 80%): − Humanities, Spanish language, and foreign languages − Mathematics − Social sciences, history, geography, political constitution and democracy − Natural sciences and environmental education − Artistic and cultural education − Religious education* − Physical education, recreation, and sports − Education in ethics and human values − Technology and computing − Philosophy − Economic and political sciences Specialization Specialization (max. 20%) * Religious education is offered by all educational establishments, but as of 1991, participation in this subject in public schools is not mandatory. Sample curriculum for bachillerato académico with hourly distribution (Colegio Nueva York, Bogotá, 2007) (Source: http://www.colegionuevayork.edu.co/proyecto_educativo/intensidad_horaria_cny.doc) Page 10 of 131 Spanish term English translation Approximate point and percentage equivalent Comments IQAS comparison Excelente (E) Excellent 9.0 – 10.0 or 90% – 100% Maximum grade 87% – 100% Sobresaliente (S) Outstanding 8.0 – 8.9 or 80% – 89% 76% – 86% 7.0 – 7.9 or 70% – 79% 63% – 75% Aceptable (A) Acceptable 6.0 – 6.9 or 60% – 69% Minimum pass 50% – 62% Insuficiente (I) Insufficient 4.0 – 5.9 or 40% – 59% Deficiente (D) Deficient 0.0 – 3.9 or 0% – 39% Failing grade Fail b) 1994 – 2002 Spanish term English translation Approximate point and percentage equivalent Comments IQAS comparison 9.0 – 10.0 or 90% – 100% Maximum grade 87% – 100% Excelente (E) Excellent 8.0 – 8.9 or 80% – 89% 76% – 86% 7.0 – 7.9 or 70% – 79% 63% – 75% Bien/Bueno (B) Good 6.0 – 6.9 or 60% – 69% Minimum pass 50% – 62% Insuficiente (I) Insufficient 0.0 – 5.9 or 0% – 59% Failing grade Fail c) 1974 – 1994 Grade Alternative point equivalent* Comments IQAS comparison 9.5 – 10.0 95 – 100 Maximum grade 87% – 100% 8.5 – 9.4 85 – 94 Indicates excellent performance 76% – 86% 7.5 – 8.4 75 – 84 Indicates good performance 66% – 75% 6.0 – 7.4 60 – 74 Minimum pass 50% – 65% 0.0 – 5.9 0 – 59 Failing grade Fail * The 100-point scale gained popularity after 1978, but it was never universally adopted by all schools. d) 1934 – 1974 Grade Spanish term English translation Comments IQAS comparison 5 Muy bien Very good Maximum grade 88% – 100% 4.0 – 4.9 Bien Good 70% – 87% 3.0 – 3.9 Regular Regular Minimum pass 50% – 69% 2.0 – 2.9 Mal Bad 0.0 – 1.9 Muy mal Very bad Failing grade Fail Page 11 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Técnico Profesional (Professional Technician) and Técnico Profesional Especialista (Specialist Professional Technician) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Technical postsecondary program Credential Actual Name: Técnico Profesional en xx Técnico Profesional Especialista en xx Credential English Name: Professional Technician in xx Specialist Professional Technician in xx Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Regular programs: Técnico Profesional en Diseño de Máquinas Técnico Profesional en Comercio Internacional Técnico Profesional en Diseño Gráfico Etc. Técnico Profesional Intermedio en xx (prior to 1992) Similar older programs (prior to the 1980s): Perito en xx Experto en xx Técnico en xx Specialization programs (as of 1992): Especialista Técnico Profesional en Gestión Pública Técnico Profesional Especializado en Gestión Pública Técnico Profesional Especialista en Gestión Pública Etc. Credential Alternate English Name(s): Professional Technician in Machine Design Professional Technician in International Commerce Professional Technician in Graphic Design Etc. Intermediate Professional Technician in xx Advisor in xx Expert in xx Technician in xx Specialist Professional Technician in Public Management Time Period Credential Offered: Current (1992 – present) Issuing Body: Professional technician and specialist professional technician diplomas are issued by Page 12 of 131 individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. This type of higher technical and vocational programs is delivered predominantly by professional technical institutions (instituciones técnicas profesionales), called intermediate professional institutions (instituciones intermedias profesionales) prior to 1992. Professional technician programs may also be offered by training centres administered by the National Apprenticeship Service (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje) or SENA as well as by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Admission Requirements: In order to be admitted to a professional technical program, prospective students must have obtained the title of bachiller and a specific number of points on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Many postsecondary institutions also require applicants to pass an additional entrance exam and a personal interview. Students who have successfully completed lower secondary education (i.e. Grade 9), are at least 16 years old, have obtained a certificate of occupational/professional aptitude (Certificado de Aptitud Ocupacional/Profesional), and have worked in their area of specialization for a minimum of 2 years may also be admitted to professional technical programs. Students seeking admission to professional technical specialization programs must possess the title of professional technician in a related area of study. Program Description: Professional technical education (formación técnica profesional) leads to the title of professional technician (técnico profesional) in a specific area. Prior to 1992, this level of education was referred to as intermediate professional education (formación intermedia profesional) and concluded with the title of intermediate professional technician (técnico profesional intermedio). Programs at this level typically involve 5-6 semesters of full-time study and aim to provide students with the technical and vocational training necessary to successfully exercise a specific occupation. The focus of these programs tends to be on engineering technology, management, communication, and information technology. No programs of this kind are offered in the strictly humanistic areas. Professional technical specialization (especialización técnica profesional) programs, which follow the award of the professional technician title, have been offered since 1992. Currently, Page 15 of 131 Sample curriculum for the program leading to the title of professional technician in administrative processes (Corporación Unificada Nacional de Educación Superior, 2008) (Source: http://www.cun.edu.co/images/pdf/malla%20empresas%202007.pdf) Semester I: − Business intelligence and personal life plan − Text comprehension and production − Computing tools − Basic mathematics − Introduction to research training − Fundamentals of economics − General administration − General accountancy Semester II: − Development of entrepreneurship and managerial qualities − Civic ethics and education − Basic English − Applied systems − Descriptive statistics − Organization and methods of cost accounting − Commercial and taxation legislation Semester III: − Business plan, leadership, and business dynamics − Financial mathematics − Fundamentals of marketing − Strategic planning − Production management − Budget − Elective course Semester IV: − Business plan and business mentality − Human resources management − Fundamentals of international commerce − Occupational legislation − Elective course (technical focus) − Business practicum − Final project (creation of an enterprise / research seminar / research assistantship or internship / written thesis) Total number of academic credits: 68 • Program structure: Presently, all professional technician programs should be structured according to the model of educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos). Prior to 2002, the title of professional technician was viewed predominantly as a terminal qualification leading to employment (with the exception of specialization programs). There was little connection between technical, technological, and undergraduate degree programs, and the transfer of credit practices between different institution types were not clearly defined, causing difficulties for students who wished to continue their education at a higher level without having to repeat several courses. In 2002, the model of the educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos) was introduced as a way of restructuring higher education in order to facilitate student mobility and make the system more flexible, sequential, and permeable. The model consists of three cycles that focus on the acquisition of specific competencies. The completion of each cycle allows the student to obtain a title and either seek employment or continue with the next cycle leading to a higher qualification. In this way, the model of educational cycles combines diploma-level Page 16 of 131 postsecondary education with degree-level undergraduate education. − The first cycle corresponds to professional technical studies and concludes with the title of técnico profesional. − The second cycle corresponds to technological education and leads to the title of tecnólogo. − The third cycle corresponds to university-level studies and allows students to earn an undergraduate degree. • Exit credential: Successful completion of a professional technical program or a professional technical specialization leads to the title of técnico profesional or técnico profesional especialista respectively. In each case, the specific area of study will be indicated as well. On the actual diploma certificate, the name of the credential can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), or − grado de… (degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. Conclusion The title of técnico profesional, obtained upon graduation from a higher technical and vocational program, normally represents 2.5-3 years of full-time postsecondary studies. Admission to the program is based on the title of bachiller (i.e. 12 years of general education) and a specific number of points on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior). Alternatively, students who have successfully completed lower secondary education (i.e. Grade 9), are at least 16 years old, have obtained a certificate of occupational/professional aptitude (Certificado de Aptitud Ocupacional/ Profesional), and have worked in their area of specialization for a minimum of 2 years may also be admitted to professional technical programs. Many postsecondary institutions require applicants to pass an additional entrance exam and a personal interview. The title of técnico profesional gives students access to employment as well as to further postsecondary studies (professional technical specialization programs or technological programs in a related area of study). Students seeking admission to technological programs in a related area of study will receive transfer of credit for their professional technical studies. Completion of a subsequent professional technical specialization program (especialización técnica profesional) represents an additional 1-1.5 years of full-time postsecondary study. Based on the above information and placement recommendations of other assessment resources, IQAS compares the title of técnico profesional to the completion of a postsecondary Page 17 of 131 Certificate with a focus in xx. The title of técnico profesional especialista is comparable to the completion of one additional year (or more, depending on the actual duration of the program) of technical postsecondary study with a greater specialization in the field. Grading: • Grading scale: The grading scale for all types of postsecondary education has been relatively standardized and universally implemented by all types of Colombian postsecondary institutions for several decades. Grading scale for postsecondary education Numerical grade Description IQAS comparison 4.60 – 5.00 Excellent; maximum grade 91% – 100% 4.00 – 4.59 Very good 79% – 90% 3.50 – 3.99 Good 66% – 78% 3.00 – 3.49 Sufficient; minimum pass 50% – 65% 0.00 – 2.99 Failing grade Fail To pass a course, students must obtain a minimum average of 3.00. Otherwise, they are required to take a make-up examination (examen de habilitación), which will be indicated on their academic transcript. • Academic credits: The coursework completed by students is measured according to the credit system introduced in 2003. One academic credit (crédito académico) is equal to 48 hours of academic work, consisting of 16 hours of lectures and 32 hours of independent study at the professional technical level. In other words, students are expected to follow up every hour of classroom instruction with additional 2 hours of independent work. Given the great autonomy Colombia’s institutions of higher education enjoy, the total number of credits required for graduation varies between fields of study and institutions. It is not uncommon for a specific program to have different durations and credit requirements at different institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. In the years 1980-2003, postsecondary programs were measured in units of academic work (unidades de labor académico) or ULAs. One ULA represented 1 hour of class time, supplemented by 2 hours of practical application and 3 hours of independent work under direct supervision. The total number of ULAs required for graduation from a professional technical program was 1400. Even though the ULA system was made obligatory in 1980, Colombian institutions were slow to implement it and many continued to use credit hours and number of years of study to describe programs. Page 20 of 131 Colombia as comparable to an undergraduate degree. Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Tecnólogo (3 years of full-time postsecondary study) – comparable to an AQF Diploma. • Tecnólogo especialista (additional 2 years of full-time postsecondary study) – comparable to an AQF Diploma in the first instance. UK-NARIC – National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom, “International Comparisons: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Tecnólogo – no comparison given. • Tecnólogo especialista (3 years of full-time postsecondary study) – comparable to BTEC / SQA Higher National Diploma (HND) standard / Foundation degree standard. IERF – International Education Research Foundation, “The New Country Index: Making Sense of International Credentials.” Vol. 1. (2004). • Tecnólogo (3-3.5 years of full-time postsecondary study) – comparable to a maximum 105 semester credits of lower division coursework completed as part of an Associate of Science program. • Tecnólogo especialista – no comparison given. AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers / Wellington, Stanley, “Colombia: A Study of the Educational System of Colombia and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students from Colombia in Educational Institutions of the United States.” (1984). • Tecnólogo (2-3.5 years of full-time postsecondary study) – may be considered for undergraduate admission with up to 30 semester hours of transfer credit for each year, determined through a course-by-course analysis. • Tecnólogo especialista – no comparison given. CEFAHQ – Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec, “Tableau comparatif des diplômes colombiens.” (2007). • Tecnólogo (3 years of full-time postsecondary study) – comparable to a diploma of postsecondary technical studies. • Tecnólogo especialista – no comparison given. IQAS Recommendations for: • The title of Tecnólogo (technologist) generally compares to the completion of a postsecondary Diploma with a focus in xx. • The title of Tecnólogo Especialista (specialist technologist) generally compares to the completion of one* additional year of technical postsecondary study with a greater specialization in the field. Page 21 of 131 * The number of years should reflect the actual full-time equivalent duration of the program. Course Equivalencies: 30-level (Grade 12) courses if no secondary documents are available. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: Typically 6 semesters of full-time study for the technological programs and 2-4 semesters for the subsequent specialization programs. Some technological programs may be slightly shorter or longer (e.g. 8 semesters). After the introduction of educational cycles in 2002, graduates from related professional technical programs require an additional 2-3 semesters of full-time study to obtain the title of tecnólogo. • Language of instruction: Spanish. • Program types: The majority of technological programs are associated with practical professions in business, management, engineering technology, and communications. • Curriculum: The curriculum for technological programs has a stronger scientific and theoretical orientation than professional technical education. The subjects studied provide students with the skills to design, implement, and manage the processes that are part of their professions. The focus is on applied disciplines, which typically do not include the fine arts or humanities. Sample curriculum for the program leading to the title of technologist in administrative management (Corporación Unificada Nacional de Educación Superior, 2008) (Source: http://www.cun.edu.co/images/pdf/malla%20empresas%202007.pdf) Semester I: − Business intelligence and personal life plan − Text comprehension and production − Computing tools − Basic mathematics − Introduction to research training − Fundamentals of economics − General administration − General accountancy Semester II: − Development of entrepreneurship and managerial qualities − Civic ethics and education − Basic English − Applied systems − Descriptive statistics − Organization and methods of cost accounting − Commercial and taxation legislation Semester III: − Business plan, leadership, and business dynamics − Financial mathematics − Fundamentals of marketing − Strategic planning − Production management Semester IV: − Business plan and business mentality − Human resources management − Fundamentals of international commerce − Occupational legislation − Elective course (technical focus) − Business practicum Page 22 of 131 − Budget − Elective course − Final project (creation of an enterprise / research seminar / research assistantship or internship / written thesis) Semester V: − International vision − Technical English − Linear algebra − Microeconomics − Salary management − Project design and evaluation − Administrative control − Financial administration Semester VI: − Statistics for decision making − Innovation and development − Macroeconomics − Market research − Process management − Financial analysis − Elective course (technological focus) − Final project (creation of an enterprise / research seminar / research assistantship or internship / written thesis) Total number of academic credits: 102 • Program structure: Presently, all technological programs should be structured according to the model of educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos). Prior to 2002, the title of technologist was viewed predominantly as a terminal qualification leading to employment (with the exception of specialization programs). There was little connection between technical, technological, and undergraduate degree programs, and the transfer of credit practices between different institution types were not clearly defined, causing difficulties for students who wished to continue their education at a higher level without having to repeat several courses. In 2002, the model of the educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos) was introduced as a way of restructuring higher education in order to facilitate student mobility and make the system more flexible, sequential, and permeable. The model consists of three cycles that focus on the acquisition of specific competencies. The completion of each cycle allows the student to obtain a title and either seek employment or continue with the next cycle leading to a higher qualification. In this way, the model of educational cycles combines diploma-level postsecondary education with degree-level undergraduate education. − The first cycle corresponds to professional technical studies and concludes with the title of técnico profesional. (In the sample curriculum above, the first cycle would end after semester IV.) − The second cycle corresponds to technological education and leads to the title of tecnólogo. (In the sample curriculum above, the second cycle would end after semester VI.) − The third cycle corresponds to university-level studies and allows students to earn an undergraduate degree. • Exit credential: Successful completion of a technological program or a technological specialization leads to the title of tecnólogo or tecnólogo especialista respectively. In each Page 25 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Normalista Superior (Teacher, preschool and elementary school levels) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Postsecondary teacher training program Credential Actual Name: Normalista Superior(con Énfasis en xx) Credential English Name: Teacher (for preschool and elementary school) (with Emphasis on xx) Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Ciencias Naturales y Educación Ambiental Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Matemáticas Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Ciencias Sociales, Historia, Geografía, Constitución Política y Democracia Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Educación Artística Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Educación Etica y en Valores Humanos Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Educación Física, Recreación y Deportes Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Educación Religiosa Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Humanidades, Lengua Castellana e Idiomas Extranjeros Normalista Superior con Énfasis en Tecnología e Informática Credential Alternate English Name(s): Teacher with Emphasis on Natural Sciences and Environmental Education Teacher with Emphasis on Mathematics Teacher with Emphasis on Social Sciences, History, Geography, Political Constitution, and Democracy Teacher with Emphasis on Artistic Education Teacher with Emphasis on Education in Ethics and Human Values Teacher with Emphasis on Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports Teacher with Emphasis on Religious Education Teacher with Emphasis on Humanities, Spanish Language, and Foreign Languages Teacher with Emphasis on Technology and Computing Time Period Credential Offered: Late 1990s – current Issuing Body: Postsecondary teacher training diplomas are issued by individual schools but in the name of the republic. Schools providing this type of education are called escuelas normales superiores. There are 138 of these schools throughout Colombia. 128 of the schools are public and only 10 are private. Unlike institutions of higher education, these schools are spread uniformly throughout the country. In many rural and remote areas, they are the only institutions offering postsecondary education. Page 26 of 131 Admission Requirements: Completion of upper secondary education (i.e. Grade 11). Most of the students entering the program will have completed a bachiller con profundización en educación (baccalaureate with a focus in education) at the same school and will require 4 semesters of additional study to obtain the title of normalista superior. These semesters are sometimes referred to as Grades 12 and 13. Holders of other types of bachiller can be admitted to the program too, but they will have to complete 6 semesters of study. Program Description: In Colombia, the title of normalista superior (teacher) is the minimum requirement to become an instructor at the preschool and elementary school levels. Students receive the title upon graduation from the postsecondary diploma cycle in teacher education (ciclo complementario), a program established in the late 1990s and offered exclusively at teacher training schools (escuelas normales superiores). For students who were admitted to the program based on a bachiller con profundización en educación, the exit credential represents completion of a 2-year postsecondary program in teacher training. For students who were admitted to the program based on any other type of bachiller, the title represents completion of a 3-year postsecondary program in teacher training. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment as preschool or elementary school teacher. • Admission to undergraduate studies with significant transfer of credit. (All escuelas normales superiores have transfer of credit agreements with selected higher education institutions. Students will typically receive credit for 3-4 semesters of undergraduate study in their area of specialization. It is common for these transfer students to complete their undergraduate studies in the evenings while they work during the daytime. Still, the number of students who continue with undergraduate studies after completing the postsecondary diploma cycle is minimal.) Placement Recommendations: No comparisons suggested by other assessment agencies/resources. IQAS Recommendations for: The title of Normalista Superior (teacher for preschool and elementary school levels) generally compares to the completion of a postsecondary Diploma with a focus in xx. Page 27 of 131 Course Equivalencies: 30-level (Grade 12) courses if no secondary documents are available. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: 4 semesters after bachiller con profundización en educación (baccalaureate with a focus in education) or 6 semesters after any other type of bachiller (baccalaureate). • Language of instruction: Spanish. • Curriculum: All Colombian teacher training programs are structured around four core areas: o pedagogical training, o discipline-related training, o scientific and research training, and o training related to social obligations, ethics, and moral values associated with the teaching profession. Each escuela normal superior develops the postsecondary diploma cycle in one of the following nine obligatory and fundamental areas associated with elementary education: − humanities, Spanish language, and foreign languages, − mathematics, − social sciences, history, geography, political constitution and democracy, − natural sciences and environmental education , − artistic and cultural education, − religious education, − physical education, recreation, and sports, − education in ethics and human values, − technology and computing. Theoretical instruction is complemented by teaching practica (prácticas pedagógicas) and hands-on workshops (talleres), allowing students to practice applying the skills and knowledge they acquire. Page 30 of 131 criteria are determined by individual schools. In other words, the point and percentage equivalents in the figures below should be viewed as approximate values. Grading scales for the postsecondary diploma cycle in teacher training a) 2002 – present Spanish term English translation Approximate point and percentage equivalent Comments IQAS comparison Excelente (E) Excellent 9.0 – 10.0 or 90% – 100% Maximum grade 87% – 100% Sobresaliente (S) Outstanding 8.0 – 8.9 or 80% – 89% 76% – 86% 7.0 – 7.9 or 70% – 79% 63% – 75% Aceptable (A) Acceptable 6.0 – 6.9 or 60% – 69% Minimum pass 50% – 62% Insuficiente (I) Insufficient 4.0 – 5.9 or 40% – 59% Deficiente (D) Deficient 0.0 – 3.9 or 0% – 39% Failing grade Fail b) 1994 – 2002 Spanish term English translation Approximate point and percentage equivalent Comments IQAS comparison 9.0 – 10.0 or 90% – 100% Maximum grade 87% – 100% Excelente (E) Excellent 8.0 – 8.9 or 80% – 89% 76% – 86% 7.0 – 7.9 or 70% – 79% 63% – 75% Bien/Bueno (B) Good 6.0 – 6.9 or 60% – 69% Minimum pass 50% – 62% Insuficiente (I) Insufficient 0.0 – 5.9 or 0% – 59% Failing grade Fail Page 31 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Undergraduate degrees: Profesional (‘Professional’), Licenciado/a (Licentiate), Maestro/a (‘Master’), and others Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program Credential Actual Name: Profesional en xx Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en xx Maestro/a en xx Administrador(a) Público/a Administrador(a) de Empresas Arquitecto/a Contador(a) Público/a Trabajador Social Músico Etc. Credential English Name: ‘Professional’ in xx Licentiate in xx ‘Master’ in xx Public Administrator Business Manager Architect Public Accountant Social Worker Musician Etc. Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Profesional en Relaciones Internacionales Profesional en Finanzas Profesional en Comercio Internacional Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Terapia Física Maestro/a en Artes Plásticas Maestro/a en Bellas Artes Maestro/a en Textiles Former credentials: Diplomado/a en xx Diplomado/a en Ciencias Políticas Diplomado/a en Bellas Artes Etc. Credential Alternate English Name(s): ‘Professional’ in International Relations ‘Professional’ in Finance ‘Professional’ in International Commerce Licentiate in Physical Therapy ‘Master’ in Plastic Arts ‘Master’ in Fine Arts ‘Master’ in Textiles Diploma Holder in xx Diploma Holder in Political Sciences Diploma Holder in Fine Arts Etc. Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by Page 32 of 131 university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In rare instances, undergraduate programs can also be offered by professional technical institutions (instituciones técnicas profesionales) and technological institutions (instituciones tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for this level of education include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. Alternatively, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related field can also seek admission to undergraduate degree programs and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. Program Description: Professional education (formación profesional) in Colombian terms is the equivalent of undergraduate degree education and, depending on the field of study, leads to a number of undergraduate titles such as ‘professional’ (profesional), licentiate (licenciado), ‘master’ (maestro), and others. For students admitted to undergraduate degree programs based on the title of bachiller, the programs typically last 8-10 semesters of full-time study. After the introduction of educational cycles in 2002 (see below), graduates from related technological programs require an additional 3-4 semesters of full-time study to obtain an undergraduate degree. The National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment • Admission to further studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree can seek admission to Page 35 of 131 • Language of instruction: Spanish. (Solid knowledge of a foreign language, typically English, is usually a requirement for graduation as well and must be demonstrated by passing an international language test like TOEFL.) • Curriculum: In addition to area-specific courses, undergraduate curricula include a broad range of academic subjects. Undergraduate degree programs are academically more challenging than technical or technological education and usually require students to complete a small research project (trabajo de grado or proyecto de grado) or a practicum (práctica) in the last semester of study. • Program structure: Some undergraduate programs, especially if taught at university institutions or technological schools, are structured according to the model of educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos). Prior to 2002, there was little connection between technical, technological, and undergraduate degree programs, and the transfer of credit practices between different institution types were not clearly defined, causing difficulties for students who wished to continue their education at a higher level without having to repeat several courses. In 2002, the model of the educational cycles (ciclos propedéuticos) was introduced as a way of restructuring higher education in order to facilitate student mobility and make the system more flexible, sequential, and permeable. The model consists of three cycles that focus on the acquisition of specific competencies. The completion of each cycle allows the student to obtain a title and either seek employment or continue with the next cycle leading to a higher qualification. In this way, the model of educational cycles combines diploma-level postsecondary education with degree-level undergraduate education. − The first cycle corresponds to professional technical studies and concludes with the title of técnico profesional. − The second cycle corresponds to technological education and leads to the title of tecnólogo. − The third cycle corresponds to university-level studies and allows students to earn an undergraduate degree. However, the structure of educational cycles is appropriate only for applied disciplines and would be difficult to implement for areas like the humanities. This is why the traditional universities are not likely to structure their programs in this way. • Exit credential: Even though an undergraduate degree in Colombia is normally referred to as a professional title (título profesional), the exact name of the degree can vary depending on the discipline studied. The four variations of Colombian undergraduate titles are summarized below. All of these degrees represent an equivalent credential and have the same academic and professional value. Page 36 of 131 Colombian undergraduate degrees Undergraduate degree in… Title awarded Time period Comments A specific profession Specific professional title e.g. Abogado (Lawyer) Used currently and in the past This is the most popular format of Colombian undergraduate titles. Profesional en… + general area of study e.g. Profesional en Comercio Internacional (‘Professional’ in International Commerce) Used from the early 1990s until present A general field or discipline Licenciado en… + general area of study e.g. Licenciado en Terapia Física (Licentiate in Physical Therapy) Used prior to the early 1990s If there is no specific name of profession associated with a particular field of study, the graduate will be granted the title of ‘professional’ (profesional) in the general area. Prior to the 1990s, the term licenciado was used instead of profesional for this type of degrees. Education Licenciado en… + area of education e.g. Licenciado en Educación Básica con Énfasis en Humanidades y Lengua Castellana (Licentiate in Basic Education with Focus on Humanities and Spanish Language) Used currently and in the past All undergraduate programs in education lead to the title of licenciado. Licentiates will often indicate an area of focus (énfasis) within a particular stream of education. Education students can also be granted a licentiate in a specific subject like mathematics or biology, representing teacher training in that particular subject. Arts Maestro en… + area of the arts e.g. Maestro en Artes Plásticas (‘Master’ in Plastic Arts) Used currently and in the past Undergraduate program in the arts lead to the title of maestro. This title should not to be confused with the upper secondary credentials of maestro, maestro bachiller, or maestro superior. Another similar title is that of magíster obtained after completion of a master’s program or maestría. Other undergraduate-level degrees and qualifications that were commonly used in the past are the designations of diplomado, doctor, and egresado. Page 37 of 131 Colombian undergraduate-level titles and qualifications common in the past Title or qualification awarded upon completion of… Title or qualification awarded Comments Some undergraduate degree programs in general disciplines* Diplomado en… + general area of study e.g. Diplomado en Ciencias Políticas (Diploma Holder in Political Sciences) The title of diplomado was used very rarely in the past and was granted only by some universities. Some undergraduate degree programs especially in law, medicine, and dentistry Doctor en… + area of study e.g. Doctor en Medicina (Doctor in Medicine) Prior to the 1980s, any program leading to the title of doctor was in all likelihood an undergraduate degree. Currently, the title of doctor is granted upon completion of the highest level of graduate studies. Coursework for undergraduate degree programs Egresado en… + area of study e.g. Egresado en Finanzas (Graduate of Finance) This qualification does not represent a full academic credential. Rather, it indicates that the student completed most of the program requirements and coursework but did not complete the final project or did not satisfy a minor requirement in order to be granted the full title. Particularly in the 1970s, diplomas of egresado were common as employers made little distinction between graduates with the full title and those with the incomplete credential. * Currently, the term diplomado is still in use, but it no longer refers to undergraduate degrees. It is a qualification obtained upon completion of short professional development courses or programs. Such programs are frequently offered by universities and have an approximate duration of 120 hours. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). Many of the Colombian education titles can also end in an a instead of an o, indicating that the recipient of the credential is female. For example, the feminine version of licenciado would be licenciada. In other instances, the a is added on, as is the case with the titles of administrador and administradora. Oftentimes, though, the masculine version of the title will be used even when it is being awarded a female. Page 40 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Licenciado/a (Licentiate) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program in education Credential Actual Name: Licenciado/a en xx Licenciatura en xx Credential English Name: Licentiate in xx Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Educación Básica con Enfasis en Humanidades y Lengua Castellana Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Educación Básica con Enfasis en Ciencias Naturales y Educación Ambiental Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Matemáticas Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Inglés Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Educación Física, Recreación y Deportes Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Pedagogía Infantil Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en (Educación) Preescolar Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Educación Especial Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Psicopedagogía con Enfasis en Asesoría Educativa Etc. Credential Alternate English Name(s): Licentiate in Basic Education with Emphasis on Humanities and Spanish Language Licentiate in Basic Education with Emphasis on Natural Sciences and Environmental Education Licentiate in Mathematics Licentiate in English Licentiate in Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Licentiate in Early Childhood Education Licentiate in Preschool Education Licentiate in Special Education Licentiate in Psychopedagogy with Emphasis on Educational Consulting Etc. Time Period Credential Offered: Current Note: Prior to the 1990s, the term licenciado/a was used not only in reference to teaching degrees but also when referring to degrees in some non-teaching professions. Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate degree programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas Page 41 of 131 tecnológicas). In rare instances, undergraduate programs in education can also be offered by professional technical institutions (instituciones técnicas profesionales) and technological institutions (instituciones tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). In 2004, there were 70 faculties of education (facultades de educación) within various postsecondary institutions, 45 of which were private and 25 public. The two universities that specialize in teacher training are the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (National Pedagogical University) and the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia), but only the former is dedicated exclusively to teacher training. Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for all Colombian undergraduate programs include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). The vast majority of students entering undergraduate programs in education are admitted based on the title of bachiller académico. Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. After the reforms of the mid-1990s, students can also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in education and qualify for significant transfer of credit after completing the postsecondary diploma cycle in teacher training (ciclo complementario) and obtaining the title of normalista superior (teacher for the preschool and elementary school levels). Still, the number of students who continue with undergraduate studies after completing the postsecondary diploma cycle is minimal. The structure of educational cycles that would allow graduates from related technological programs to transfer into undergraduate degree programs and receive advanced placement is not applicable to education programs either. All applicants must generally pass an additional admission exam, a personal interview, and a test of pedagogical potential (prueba de potencialidad pedagógica) administered by the higher education institution. Page 42 of 131 Program Description: In Colombia, an undergraduate degree program in education is called licenciatura (licentiate), and the name of the credential or the title that students receive upon graduation is licenciado (licentiate, masculine form) or licenciada (licentiate, feminine form). The term licenciado/a is also used in reference to the person holding the title. According to the National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES, currently there are nearly 600 undergraduate degree programs in education (licenciaturas) offered throughout Colombia. At the graduate level, there are several hundred specializations (especializaciones) in addition to 69 master’s (maestrías) and 12 doctoral programs (doctorados) in education. Prior to mid-1990s, undergraduate degree programs in education typically lasted 8 semesters. Presently, they must have a minimum duration of 10 semesters. SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment (following appropriate professional registration). Theoretically, an undergraduate degree in education entitles the holder to teach at any level, but many of the licenciatura programs are designed specifically to train secondary school teachers. • Admission to graduate studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree in education can continue their studies at the graduate level. (Graduate specializations in particular are very common among education students.) Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Undergraduate degree from a leading higher education institution (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 4 years of full- time study) – in the first instance comparable to an AQF Associate Degree or AQF Advanced Diploma depending on the field of study; consideration may be given for assessment at Australian Bachelor Degree level on a case-by-case basis. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 5 years of full- time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. UK-NARIC – National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom, “International Comparisons: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – comparable to British Bachelor Degree standard. Page 45 of 131 * The time period indicated in parenthesis applies to undergraduate programs in education completed as evening study or through distance education. Sample curriculum for a licentiate in basic education with emphasis on social sciences (Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, 2008) (Source: http://www.pedagogica.edu.co:8080/Esquemas/esquema552/Lic_ciencias_sociales.pdf) Semester Course Hours of instruction per week Credits Introduction to social sciences 3 2 History workshop 3 2 Geography workshop 3 2 Philosophy and epistemology of social sciences I 3 2 Colombian system of education 5 3 Spanish language I 4 2 Foreign language I 4 2 Physical education and culture I 3 2 Elective course: Artistic education and culture I 3 2 I TOTAL 31 19 Social sciences in Colombia 3 2 Time, space, and society 3 2 Philosophy and epistemology of social sciences II 3 2 History and epistemology of pedagogy 5 3 Spanish language II 3 2 Foreign language II 3 2 Physical education and culture II 3 2 Elective course: Artistic education and culture II 3 2 II TOTAL 26 17 Spatial systems of the world 5 3 Spatial systems of Colombia 5 3 Theories and methods of social research and investigation 5 3 Socialization and learning 3 2 Basic computing 3 2 Foreign language III 4 2 III TOTAL 25 15 Ancient societies 5 3 Society and the environment 5 3 Theories and methods of research in history I 3 2 Theories and methods of research in geography I 3 2 Psychology and pedagogy of social sciences 5 3 Foreign language IV 4 2 Values and moral development 3 2 IV TOTAL 28 17 Modern societies 5 3 Socio-economic development of Latin America 5 3 Theories and methods of research in history II 3 2 Theories and methods of research in geography II 3 2 School curriculum and evaluation 3 2 School organization, administration, and culture 3 2 V Applied computing 4 2 Page 46 of 131 TOTAL 26 16 Contemporary societies 5 3 Socio-economic development of Colombia 5 3 Methods and techniques of research in education 4 2 Teaching methodology – history 5 3 Teaching methodology – geography 5 3 Collective memory and construction of identity 3 2 VI TOTAL 27 16 Democracy, citizenship, and human rights 5 3 Elective course 4 2 Pedagogical research/project/practicum 16 10 VII TOTAL 25 15 Contemporary world problems 5 3 Pedagogical research/project/practicum 16 10 In-depth study seminar: Use and production of educational materials 3 2 VIII TOTAL 24 15 Contemporary problems of Latin America 5 3 Pedagogical research/project/practicum 16 10 Open seminar on cultural studies 3 2 IX TOTAL 24 15 Contemporary problems of Colombia 5 3 Pedagogical research/project/practicum 16 10 Ethics and teaching 3 2 X TOTAL 24 15 • Exit credential: The academic title awarded to students who complete an undergraduate program in education is always licenciado (licentiate). Sometimes the title will end in an a instead of an o, indicating that the recipient of the credential is female. Oftentimes, though, the masculine version of the title will be used even when it is being awarded a female. Licentiates can be awarded in general areas of education like child pedagogy (e.g. Licenciado en Pedagogía Infantil) or in specific subjects like mathematics (e.g. Licenciado en Matemáticas). Often licentiates will also indicate an area of focus (énfasis) within a particular stream of education; for example, Licenciado en Educación Básica con Énfasis en Humanidades y Lengua Castellana (Licentiate in Basic Education with Focus on Humanities and Spanish Language). Prior to the 1990s, the term licenciado was used not only in reference to teaching degrees but also when referring to degrees in some non-teaching professions (e.g. Licenciado en Terapia del Lenguaje, translating to Licentiate in Speech Therapy). It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), Page 47 of 131 − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. • Examinations: Students enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program in education are required to take the national Examination of Quality of Higher Education (Examen de Calidad de la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as ECAES and administered by the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education (Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior) or ICFES. Individual ECAES scores have no direct impact on whether or not a student is awarded their degree. Graduation and the award of the academic title depend strictly on internal evaluations conducted by the institution of higher education as the ECAES is meant to assess the quality of programs rather than individuals. The ECAES tests became mandatory in 2003 and were first administered to undergraduate students in education in 2004. Depending on the branch of education, the exam currently consists of 180-220 multiple-choice questions that focus on the basic competencies in the field. More information about ECAES is available on the ICFES website. • Professional registration: In order to teach at a public institution, an instructor must first be inscribed in the escalafón docente (teachers’ echelon). The current escalafón, introduced in 2002, consists of three grades, each further subdivided into four salary levels. Instructors are inscribed into the escalafón according to their level of education and are promoted based on their experience, performance, and further professional development. Instructors employed at private institutions do not have to be inscribed in the teachers’ echelon. • Faculty associations: In terms of curriculum design for many higher education programs, the faculty associations fulfill a crucial role. Given the great autonomy of Colombian higher education institutions, these associations act as a forum for the individual faculties to exchange ideas and determine the core components of the curricula. The faculty association for education is the Colombian Association of Faculties of Education (Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Educación). Conclusion In Colombia, a typical undergraduate degree in education represents 5 years of full-time postsecondary study. Admission to the program is based on the title of bachiller (i.e. 12 years of general education) and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). The vast majority of students entering undergraduate programs in education (licenciaturas) are admitted based on the title of bachiller académico. Alternatively, students can be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in education and qualify for significant transfer of credit after completing the postsecondary diploma cycle in teacher training (ciclo complementario) and obtaining the title of normalista Page 50 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Ingeniero/a (Engineer) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program in engineering Credential Actual Name: Ingeniero/a (de) xx Credential English Name: xx Engineer Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Ingeniero/a Aeronáutico/a Ingeniero/a Agrícola Ingeniero/a Agroindustrial Ingeniero/a Agronómico/a Ingeniero/a Químico/a Ingeniero/a Civil Ingeniero/a Eléctrico/a Ingeniero/a Electromecánico/a Ingeniero/a Electrónico/a Ingeniero/a Ambiental Ingeniero/a de Alimentos Ingeniero/a Forestal Ingeniero/a Industrial Ingeniero/a Mecánico/a Ingeniero/a Metalúrgico/a Ingeniero/a Naval Ingeniero/a Nuclear Ingeniero/a Pesquero/a Ingeniero/a de Petróleos Ingeniero/a de Sistemas Ingeniero/a de Telecomunicaciones Ingeniero/a de Transporte y Vías Etc. Credential Alternate English Name(s): Aeronautical Engineer Agricultural Engineer Agroindustrial Engineer Agronomic Engineer Chemical Engineer Civil Engineer Electrical Engineer Electromechanical Engineer Electronic Engineer Environmental Engineer Food Engineer Forestry Engineer Industrial Engineer Mechanical Engineer Metallurgical Engineer Naval Engineer Nuclear Engineer Fishing Engineer Petroleum Engineer Systems Engineer Telecommunications Engineer Transport and Roads Engineer Etc. Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In rare instances, undergraduate programs can also be offered by professional Page 51 of 131 technical institutions (instituciones técnicas profesionales) and technological institutions (instituciones tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for all Colombian undergraduate programs include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. In some cases, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related field may also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in engineering and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. Program Description: According to the National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES, presently there are 1,009 undergraduate programs, 106 graduate-level specialization programs, 66 master’s programs, and 18 doctoral programs offered by various higher education institutions in the different types of engineering (ingeniería). Undergraduate programs in engineering typically require 10 semesters of full-time study. SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment (following appropriate professional registration). • Admission to graduate studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree in engineering can continue their studies at the graduate level. Page 52 of 131 Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Undergraduate degree from a leading higher education institution (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 4 years of full- time study) – in the first instance comparable to an AQF Associate Degree or AQF Advanced Diploma depending on the field of study; consideration may be given for assessment at Australian Bachelor Degree level on a case-by-case basis. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 5 years of full- time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. UK-NARIC – National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom, “International Comparisons: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – comparable to British Bachelor Degree standard. IERF – International Education Research Foundation, “The New Country Index: Making Sense of International Credentials.” Vol. 1. (2004). • Undergraduate degree in engineering (4-6 years of full-time study) – comparable to a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of XX degree. AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers / Wellington, Stanley, “Colombia: A Study of the Educational System of Colombia and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students from Colombia in Educational Institutions of the United States.” (1984). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) –may be considered for graduate admission. CEFAHQ – Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec, “Tableau comparatif des diplômes colombiens.” (2007). • Undergraduate degree in engineering (5 years of full-time study) – comparable to a specialized Bachelor Degree. IQAS Recommendations for: The title of Ingeniero/a (engineer) generally compares to the completion of a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in xx engineering. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: Typically 10 semesters of full-time study, but the duration can be somewhat longer or shorter. After the introduction of educational cycles in 2002, students Page 55 of 131 indicating that the recipient of the credential is female. For example, the feminine version of ingeniero químico would be ingeniera química. Oftentimes, though, the masculine version of the title will be used even when it is being awarded a female. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. • Examinations: Students enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program in engineering must take the national Examination of Quality of Higher Education (Examen de Calidad de la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as ECAES and administered by the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education (Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior) or ICFES. Individual ECAES scores have no direct impact on whether or not a student is awarded their degree. Graduation and the award of the academic title depend strictly on internal evaluations conducted by the institution of higher education as the ECAES is meant to assess the quality of programs rather than individuals. The ECAES tests became mandatory in 2003 and were first administered to undergraduate students in most branches of engineering the same year. The exam currently consists of 180 multiple-choice questions that focus on the basic competencies in each one of the engineering branches. More information about ECAES is available on the ICFES website. • Professional registration and licensing: Since engineering is a regulated profession in Colombia, an academic title alone does not entitle the degree-holders to practice as engineers. They must first be issued a certificate of professional registration (certificado de matrícula profesional) and a wallet-size professional license (tarjeta profesional). No additional examinations are administered. The issuing of the license is simply a process through which degree-holders register their qualification with the appropriate body. Professional licenses are issued to engineers by the following councils and ministry: − Professional Council of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and Related Professions (Consejo Profesional de Ingenierías Eléctrica, Mecánica y Profesiones Afines) – for electrical, mechanical, nuclear, metallurgical, telecommunications, aeronautical, electronic, electromechanical, and naval engineers, − Professional Council of Chemical Engineering (Consejo Profesional de Ingeniería Química) – for chemical engineers, − Professional Council of Petroleum Engineering (Consejo Profesional de Ingeniería Page 56 of 131 de Petróleos) – for petroleum engineers, − Professional Council of Transport and Road Engineering (Consejo Profesional de Ingeniería de Transportes y Vías) – for transport and road engineers, − Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural) – for forest, agricultural, and agronomic engineers, − Professional Council of Fishing Engineering (Consejo Profesional de Ingeniería Pesquera) – for fishing engineers, and − National Professional Council of Engineering (Consejo Profesional Nacional de Ingeniería) – for all remaining engineers. All of the above councils work in close cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and other relevant ministries. • Faculty associations: In terms of curriculum design for many higher education programs, the faculty associations fulfill a crucial role. Given the great autonomy of Colombian higher education institutions, these associations act as a forum for the individual faculties to exchange ideas and determine the core components of the curricula. The faculty association for engineering is the Colombian Association of Faculties of Engineering (Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Ingeniería). Conclusion In Colombia, a typical undergraduate degree in engineering represents 5 years of full-time postsecondary study. Admission to the program is based on the title of bachiller (i.e. 12 years of general education) and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Alternatively, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related field may also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in engineering and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. The title of ingeniero/a (engineer) gives students access to graduate studies as well as to employment. Based on the above information and placement recommendations of other assessment resources, IQAS compares the title of ingeniero/a to the completion of a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in xx engineering. Grading: • Grading scale: The grading scale for all types of higher education has been relatively standardized and universally implemented by all types of Colombian postsecondary institutions for several decades. Grading scale for higher education Page 57 of 131 Numerical grade Description IQAS comparison 4.60 – 5.00 Excellent; maximum grade 91% – 100% 4.00 – 4.59 Very good 79% – 90% 3.50 – 3.99 Good 66% – 78% 3.00 – 3.49 Sufficient; minimum pass 50% – 65% 0.00 – 2.99 Failing grade Fail To pass a course, students must obtain a minimum average of 3.00. Otherwise, they are required to take a make-up examination (examen de habilitación), which will be indicated on their academic transcript. Only a few institutions choose to use a different evaluation method. For instance, Universidad Católica de Colombia uses a 10-point scale, with 6 as the lowest passing grade. Universidad Pedagógica Nacional uses a 50-point scale, with 30 as the lowest passing grade. • Academic credits: The coursework completed by students is measured according to the credit system introduced in 2003. One academic credit (crédito académico) is equal to 48 hours of academic work, consisting of 16 hours of lectures and 32 hours of independent study at the undergraduate level. In other words, students are expected to follow up every hour of classroom instruction with additional 2 hours of independent work. It is not uncommon for a specific program to have different credit requirements at different institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. In the years 1980-2003, postsecondary programs were measured in units of academic work (unidades de labor académico) or ULAs. One ULA represented 1 hour of class time, supplemented by 2 hours of practical application and 3 hours of independent work under direct supervision. The total number of ULAs required for graduation from an undergraduate program was 3200. Even though the ULA system was made obligatory in 1980, Colombian institutions were slow to implement it and many continued to use credit hours and number of years of study to describe programs. Comments: Training in engineering technology is also available at the professional technical and technological levels. Institutions offering lower technical and vocational can provide training related to engineering technology as well. Page 60 of 131 IERF – International Education Research Foundation, “The New Country Index: Making Sense of International Credentials.” Vol. 1. (2004). • Older undergraduate degree in nursing (3-3.5 years of full-time study) – comparable to a maximum 105 semester credits of undergraduate coursework. • Current undergraduate degree in nursing (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – comparable to a Bachelor Degree or a first professional degree in certain fields. AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers / Wellington, Stanley, “Colombia: A Study of the Educational System of Colombia and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students from Colombia in Educational Institutions of the United States.” (1984). • Older undergraduate degree in nursing (3-3.5 years of full-time study) – may be considered for undergraduate admission with up to 30 semester hours of transfer credit for each year, determined through a course-by-course analysis. • Current undergraduate degree in nursing (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – may be considered for graduate admission. CEFAHQ – Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec, “Tableau comparatif des diplômes colombiens.” (2007). • Any undergraduate degree (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to a Bachelor Degree. IQAS Recommendations for: The title of Enfermera/o (nurse), representing a minimum of four years of full-time study, generally compares to the completion of a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in nursing. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: 8-10 semesters of full-time study. After the introduction of educational cycles in 2002, theoretically students can be admitted to undergraduate programs in nursing based on the title of tecnólogo in a related area, in which case they would only require an additional 3-4 semesters of study to obtain an undergraduate degree. In practice, however, this happens very rarely. (In the 1980s and earlier, some undergraduate degree programs in nursing required only 3-3.5 years of full-time study. These programs were not very common and no longer exist at the present time.) Often the duration of a program will be expressed in academic credits only. Given the great autonomy Colombia’s institutions of higher education enjoy, the total number of academic credits required for graduation is not officially legislated but rather is determined by individual institutions. In other words, an undergraduate program in nursing can have different durations and credit requirements at various Colombian institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. Page 61 of 131 • Language of instruction: Spanish. (Solid knowledge of a foreign language, typically English, is usually a requirement for graduation as well and must be demonstrated by passing an international language test like TOEFL.) • Curriculum: Colombian undergraduate programs in nursing tend to consist of a large core component, obligatory for all students in the program, and a small number of elective courses. The undergraduate nursing curriculum is composed of subjects from these areas: − basic sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology and parasitology, biochemistry, morphophysiology, pharmacology and toxicology, pathology, anatomy), − clinical sciences (e.g., internal medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, dermatology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and traumatology) − psycho-social and cultural aspects of health care, − health care for children and adolescents, − health care for women (including gynaecology and obstetrics), − health care for adults and seniors, − preventive medicine and public health, − historical, legal, and ethical development of nursing, − foundations of research and epidemiology, − administration, management, and education (e.g., law, policies, programs). Laboratories and practica are an essential part of the program as great emphasis is placed on practical application of skills and knowledge. Usually students are also required to complete a small research project (trabajo de grado or proyecto de grado) in the last year of study. Sample curriculum for an undergraduate program in nursing (Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2008) (Source: http://www.enfermeria.unal.edu.co/docs/pregrado.htm#prog) Basic core courses 3,375 hours (80.4%) Professional area 1,860 hours (44.3%) Basic area 1,515 hours (36.1%) Flexible core courses 825 hours (19.6%) Nursing for children (sem.V)* Nursing for adolescents (sem.IV) Prenatal and maternal nursing (sem.VI) Nursing for adults (sem.VII) Geriatric nursing (sem.IV) Management of health care programs (sem.VI) Disciplinary area (540 hours): • Morphophysiology (sem.I) • Biochemistry (sem.I) • Microbiology (sem.II) • Pharmacology (sem.II) • Psychology of the life cycle (sem.I) • Social anthropology (sem.II) Two courses in one of the following areas of in-depth study; selection may vary from year to year (420 hours, sem.VII & VIII): • Health promotion and disease prevention, levels I and II • Health and work, levels I and II • Emergencies and critical care, levels I and II • Mental health in a general hospital, levels I and II Page 62 of 131 Three of the following elective courses; selection may vary from year to year (135 hours, sem.III & V): • Coronaropathies • Epidemiological vigilance • Death in everyday life of human beings • Information management • Nursing legislation • Life protection and improper drug use • First aid Two of the following context courses (90 hours, sem.VII & VIII): • Socioeconomic aspects of health care • Ethics • Bioethics Professional area (975 hours): • The human being and health (sem.I) • Human sexuality (sem.I) • Knowledge and nursing (sem.II) • Family and health (sem.III) • Community and health (sem.III) • Management in health (sem.IV) • Project seminar (sem.V) • Fundamentals and techniques of patient care (sem.III) • Psychosocial fundamentals (sem.II) Final degree project (180 hours, sem.II, IV, & V) * The number in parenthesis indicates the semester in which the course is taken. • Exit credential: The academic title students are granted upon completion of their undergraduate studies in nursing is enfermera (nurse, feminine form) or the less common enfermero (nurse, masculine form). Some universities may choose to use the title profesional en enfermería (‘professional’ in nursing) instead. Prior to the early 1990s, the last credential was referred to as licenciado en enfermería (licentiate in nursing). All of the above titles were granted upon completion of undergraduate programs in nursing. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. Page 65 of 131 specific program to have different credit requirements at different institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. In the years 1980-2003, postsecondary programs were measured in units of academic work (unidades de labor académico) or ULAs. One ULA represented 1 hour of class time, supplemented by 2 hours of practical application and 3 hours of independent work under direct supervision. The total number of ULAs required for graduation from an undergraduate program was 3200. Even though the ULA system was made obligatory in 1980, Colombian institutions were slow to implement it and many continued to use credit hours and number of years of study to describe programs. Comments: Training in nursing-related occupations is also available at the professional technical and technological levels, even though the number of these programs is very limited. Institutions offering lower technical and vocational education provide training in assistant health occupations as well. Page 66 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Fisioterapeuta (Physiotherapist) and Terapeuta Ocupacional (Occupational Therapist) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program in physical or occupational therapy Credential Actual Name: Fisioterapeuta Terapeuta Físico/a Terapeuta/Terapista Ocupacional Credential English Name: Physiotherapist Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Licenciado/a / Licenciatura en Terapia Física/Ocupacional (prior to the 1990s) Credential Alternate English Name(s): Licentiate in Physical/Occupational Therapy (prior to the 1990s) Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for all Colombian undergraduate programs include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. In some rare cases, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related Page 67 of 131 field may also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in physiotherapy/occupational therapy and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. Program Description: The first Colombian programs in physiotherapy (fisioterapia or terapia física) and occupational therapy (terapia ocupacional) were developed in the 1950s by the Escuela Colombiana de Rehabilitación. According to the National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES, presently there are 34 undergraduate programs in physiotherapy and 15 undergraduate programs in occupational therapy offered by institutions of higher education throughout Colombia. Even though there are several related graduate-level specialization programs, there are presently no programs in either field of study at the master’s or doctoral level. Undergraduate programs in physiotherapy/occupational therapy require 8-10 semesters of full-time study. The academic title students are granted after completing their undergraduate studies is fisioterapeuta (physical therapist) or terapeuta/terapista ocupacional (occupational therapist). SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment (following appropriate professional registration). • Admission to graduate studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy/occupational therapy can continue their studies at the graduate level. (There are presently no programs in either field of study at the master’s or doctoral level.) Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Undergraduate degree from a leading higher education institution (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 4 years of full- time study) – in the first instance comparable to an AQF Associate Degree or AQF Advanced Diploma depending on the field of study; consideration may be given for assessment at Australian Bachelor Degree level on a case-by-case basis. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 5 years of full- time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. Page 70 of 131 Sample curricula for undergraduate programs in physiotherapy and occupational therapy (Escuela Colombiana de Rehabilitación, 2008) (Source: http://www.ecr.edu.co/estudios/fisioterapia_plan.htm and http://www.ecr.edu.co/estudios/terapia_plan.htm) Weekly intensity and course weight Semester Course Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy Study methods and computing 4 hours / 3 credits 3 hours / 3 credits Context of disabilities 2 hours / 2 credits Culture and society 2 hours / 2 credits Applied biophysics 3 hours / 3 credits Molecular and cellular biology 4 hours / 4 credits 4 hours / 2 credits Human structure and function I 4 hours / 4 credits English I 3 hours / 2 credits I TOTAL 22 hours / 21 credits 21 hours / 18 credits Statistics I 3 hours / 3 credits 3 hours / 2 credits Habilitation / Rehabilitation 2 hours / 2 credits Psychology of development 4 hours / 3 credits Biomechanics 4 hours / 3 credits 4 hours / 4 credits Human structure and function II 8 hours / 6 credits 6 hours / 6 credits English II 3 hours / 3 credits 3 hours / 2 credits Biochemistry 2 hours / 2 credits - II TOTAL 26 hours / 22 credits 22 hours / 19 credits Statistics II 3 hours / 3 credits 3 hours / 2 credits Public health 2 hours / 2 credits Physiopathology 3 hours / 3 credits 6 hours / 7 credits Psychopathology 3 hours / 3 credits 3 hours / 2 credits English III 2 hours / 2 credits 3 hours / 2 credits Human bodily movement 2 hours / 2 credits - Neurokinetics 3 hours / 3 credits - Exercise physiology 3 hours / 3 credits - Fundamentals of occupational therapy - 3 hours / 3 credits III TOTAL 21 hours / 21 credits 20 hours / 18 credits Family and community 2 hours / 2 credits General ethics 2 hours / 2 credits Epidemiology 3 hours / 3 credits English IV 2 hours / 2 credits 3 hours / 2 credits Cardiopulmonary clinic 4 hours / 4 credits - Osteomuscular clinic 4 hours / 4 credits - Neurological clinic 3 hours / 2 credits - Exercise prescriptions 6 hours / 6 credits - Assessment procedures - 3 hours / 3 credits Technology in occupational therapy - 3 hours / 3 credits Occupational duties and performance - 3 hours / 3 credits Practicum - 8 hours / 4 credits IV TOTAL 26 hours / 25 credits 27 hours / 22 credits Research methodology I 2 hours / 2 credits 3 hours / 3 credits English V 2 hours / 2 credits Practicum 4 hours / 1 credit 8 hours / 4 credits Cardiopulmonary assessment and procedures 6 hours / 5 credits - V Osteomuscular assessment and procedures 6 hours / 5 credits - Page 71 of 131 Massage 4 hours / 1 credit - Psychosocial intervention - 3 hours / 3 credits Psychobiological intervention - 3 hours / 3 credits Bioethics - 2 hours / 2 credits Administration and management - 3 hours / 2 credits Intervention in education - 3 hours / 3 credits Occupational intervention - 3 hours / 3 credits TOTAL 28 hours / 18 credits 30 hours / 25 credits Research methodology II 2 hours / 2 credits 3 hours / 3 credits English VI 2 hours / 2 credits 2 hours / 6 credits Practicum 16 hours / 3 credits 12 hours / 2 credits Administration and management 2 hours / 2 credits - Neuromuscular assessment and procedures 6 hours / 6 credits - Osteomuscular and neuromuscular physiotherapeutic intervention 4 hours / 4 credits - In-depth study seminar 2 hours / 2 credits - Project management - 3 hours / 2 credits Occupational diagnostic - 3 hours / 3 credits Professional ethics - 2 hours / 2 credits Professional seminar - 3 hours / 3 credits VI TOTAL 34 hours / 21 credits 28 hours / 21 credits In-depth study seminar 2 hours / 2 credits 2 hours / 4 credits Practicum 16 hours / 4 credits 12 hours / 6 credits Final degree project I 3 hours / 3 credits 10 hours / 4 credits Bioethics 2 hours / 2 credits - Clinical evidence - 3 hours / 3 credits VII TOTAL 23 hours / 11 credits 27 hours / 17 credits Practicum 16 hours / 4 credits 12 hours / 6 credits Final degree project II 4 hours / 8 credits 10 hours / 4 credits In-depth study seminar 2 hours / 2 credits - Professional seminar - 2 hours / 4 credits VIII TOTAL 22 hours / 14 credits 24 hours / 14 credits Elective I 2 hours / 2 credits Elective II 2 hours / 2 credits Elective III 2 hours / 2 credits Any TOTAL 6 hours / 6 credits • Exit credential: Undergraduate studies in physiotherapy lead to the academic title of fisioterapeuta or its less common version terapeuta físico/a (both translating to ‘physiotherapist’). Occupational therapy students receive the title of terapeuta ocupacional or terapista ocupacional (both translating to ‘occupational therapist’). Prior to the early 1990s, some institutions granted the undergraduate titles of licenciado/a en terapia física and licenciado/a en terapia ocupacional (licentiates in physiotherapy and occupational therapy). This nomenclature is no longer in use. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: Page 72 of 131 − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. • Examinations: Students enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program in physiotherapy/occupational therapy must take the national Examination of Quality of Higher Education (Examen de Calidad de la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as ECAES and administered by the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education (Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior) or ICFES. Individual ECAES scores have no direct impact on whether or not a student is awarded their degree. Graduation and the award of the academic title depend strictly on internal evaluations conducted by the institution of higher education as the ECAES is meant to assess the quality of programs rather than individuals. The ECAES tests were first administered to undergraduate students in physiotherapy and occupational therapy in 2003 and became mandatory the same year. The exam for both professions currently consists of 220 multiple-choice questions that focus on the basic competencies in the field. More information about ECAES is available on the ICFES website. • Professional registration and licensing: Since physiotherapy and occupational therapy are regulated professions in Colombia, an academic title alone does not entitle the degree-holders to practice their professions. They must first be issued a certificate of professional registration (certificado de matrícula profesional) and a wallet-size professional license (tarjeta profesional). No additional examinations are administered. The issuing of the license is simply a process through which degree-holders register their qualification with the appropriate body. Professional licenses are issued to physiotherapists and occupational therapists by the regional Secretariats or Directorates of Health (Secretarias o Direcciones de Salud), representing the former Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) and the current Ministry of Social Protection (Ministerio de la Protección Social). • Faculty associations: In terms of curriculum design for many higher education programs, the faculty associations fulfill a crucial role. Given the great autonomy of Colombian higher education institutions, these associations act as a forum for the individual faculties to exchange ideas and determine the core components of the curricula. The faculty associations for physiotherapy and occupational therapy are the Colombian Association of Faculties of Physiotherapy (Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Fisioterapia) and the Colombian Association of Faculties of Occupational Therapy (Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Terapia Ocupacional). Page 75 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Abogado/a (Lawyer) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program in law Credential Actual Name: Abogado/a Credential English Name: Lawyer Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Doctor en Derecho (used by some universities prior to the 1980s) Credential Alternate English Name(s): Doctor of Law Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for all Colombian undergraduate programs include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. In some cases, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related field may also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in law and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. Page 76 of 131 Program Description: Ever since the colonial times, law (derecho) has been one of the traditional professions to be taught at Colombian universities. According to the National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES, presently there are 183 undergraduate programs, 566 graduate-level specializations, 28 master’s programs, and 5 doctoral programs in law offered throughout Colombia. Undergraduate programs in law typically require 10 semesters of full-time study. SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment (following appropriate professional registration). • Admission to graduate studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree in law can continue their studies at the graduate level. Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Undergraduate degree from a leading higher education institution (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 4 years of full- time study) – in the first instance comparable to an AQF Associate Degree or AQF Advanced Diploma depending on the field of study; consideration may be given for assessment at Australian Bachelor Degree level on a case-by-case basis. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 5 years of full- time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. UK-NARIC – National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom, “International Comparisons: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – comparable to British Bachelor Degree standard. IERF – International Education Research Foundation, “The New Country Index: Making Sense of International Credentials.” Vol. 1. (2004). • Undergraduate degree in a professional field (4-6 years of full-time study) – comparable to a Bachelor Degree. AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers / Wellington, Stanley, “Colombia: A Study of the Educational System of Colombia and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students from Colombia in Educational Institutions of the United Page 77 of 131 States.” (1984). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – may be considered for graduate admission. CEFAHQ – Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec, “Tableau comparatif des diplômes colombiens.” (2007). • Undergraduate degree in law – comparable to a specialized Bachelor Degree. IQAS Recommendations for: The title of Abogado/a (lawyer) generally compares to the completion of a first professional university degree in law (as practiced in the Republic of Colombia), preceded by preprofessional university study. Note: The law degree program in Colombia usually requires five years of continuous study in the Faculty of Law. In Canada, the usual pattern of study in law requires at least two years of preprofessional university study followed by three years of professional law study. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: Typically 10 semesters of full-time study. After the introduction of educational cycles in 2002, students can be admitted to undergraduate programs in law based on the title of tecnólogo in a related area, in which case they would only require an additional 3-4 semesters of study to obtain an undergraduate degree. Often the duration of a program will be expressed in academic credits only. Given the great autonomy Colombia’s institutions of higher education enjoy, the total number of academic credits required for graduation is not officially legislated but rather is determined by individual institutions. In other words, an undergraduate program in law can have different durations and credit requirements at various Colombian institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. • Language of instruction: Spanish. (Solid knowledge of a foreign language, typically English, is usually a requirement for graduation as well and must be demonstrated by passing an international language test like TOEFL.) • Curriculum: Colombian undergraduate programs in law tend to consist of a large core component, obligatory for all students in the program, and a small number of elective courses. Undergraduate law courses focus on the following areas: − general theory of law, − constitutional law, − administrative law, − international law, Page 80 of 131 Special proceedings 4 3 Inheritance 3 2 Legal practice - - TOTAL 23 16 • Exit credential: The academic title awarded to students who complete an undergraduate program in law is abogado (lawyer). Sometimes the title will end in an a instead of an o, indicating that the recipient of the credential is female. Oftentimes, though, the masculine version of the title will be used even when it is being awarded a female. Prior to the 1980s, some universities would grant the title of Doctor en Derecho (Doctor of Law) to those who completed an undergraduate program. Currently, the degree of doctor is strictly a graduate- level title. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. • Examinations: Students enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program in law are usually required to pass the so-called preparatory exams (exámenes preparatorios) that test their knowledge of various branches of law. These tests are designed and administered by individual institutions and are part of graduation pre-requisites. In addition to the preparatory exams, law students must also take the national Examination of Quality of Higher Education (Examen de Calidad de la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as ECAES and administered by the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education (Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior) or ICFES. Individual ECAES scores have no direct impact on whether or not a student is awarded their degree. Graduation and the award of the academic title depend strictly on internal evaluations conducted by the institution of higher education as the ECAES is meant to assess the quality of programs rather than individuals. The ECAES tests were first administered to undergraduate students in law in 2002 and became mandatory in 2003. The exam currently consists of 230 multiple-choice questions that focus on the basic competencies in the field. More information about ECAES is available on the ICFES website. Page 81 of 131 • Professional registration and licensing: Since law is a regulated profession in Colombia, an academic title alone does not entitle the degree-holders to practice as lawyers. They must first be issued a certificate of professional registration (certificado de matrícula profesional) and a wallet-size professional license (tarjeta profesional). No additional examinations are administered. The issuing of the license is simply a process through which degree-holders register their qualification with the appropriate body. Professional licenses are issued by a regional branch (seccional) of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (Consejo Superior de la Judicatura), affiliated with the Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia). • Faculty associations: In terms of curriculum design for many higher education programs, the faculty associations fulfill a crucial role. Given the great autonomy of Colombian higher education institutions, these associations act as a forum for the individual faculties to exchange ideas and determine the core components of the curricula. The faculty association for law is the Colombian Association of Faculties of Law (Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Derecho). Conclusion In Colombia, a typical undergraduate degree in law represents 5 years of full-time postsecondary study. Admission to the program is based on the title of bachiller (i.e. 12 years of general education) and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). In some rare cases, students with a title of tecnólogo in a related field may also be admitted to undergraduate degree programs in law and qualify for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. The title of abogado/a (lawyer) gives students access to graduate studies as well as to employment. Based on the above information and placement recommendations of other assessment resources, IQAS compares a Colombian title of abogado/a to the completion of a first professional university degree in law (as practiced in the Republic of Colombia), preceded by preprofessional university study. Grading: • Grading scale: The grading scale for all types of higher education has been relatively standardized and universally implemented by all types of Colombian postsecondary institutions for several decades. Page 82 of 131 Grading scale for higher education Numerical grade Description IQAS comparison 4.60 – 5.00 Excellent; maximum grade 91% – 100% 4.00 – 4.59 Very good 79% – 90% 3.50 – 3.99 Good 66% – 78% 3.00 – 3.49 Sufficient; minimum pass 50% – 65% 0.00 – 2.99 Failing grade Fail To pass a course, students must obtain a minimum average of 3.00. Otherwise, they are required to take a make-up examination (examen de habilitación), which will be indicated on their academic transcript. Only a few institutions choose to use a different evaluation method. For instance, Universidad Católica de Colombia uses a 10-point scale, with 6 as the lowest passing grade. Universidad Pedagógica Nacional uses a 50-point scale, with 30 as the lowest passing grade. • Academic credits: The coursework completed by students is measured according to the credit system introduced in 2003. One academic credit (crédito académico) is equal to 48 hours of academic work, consisting of 16 hours of lectures and 32 hours of independent study at the undergraduate level. In other words, students are expected to follow up every hour of classroom instruction with additional 2 hours of independent work. It is not uncommon for a specific program to have different credit requirements at different institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. In the years 1980-2003, postsecondary programs were measured in units of academic work (unidades de labor académico) or ULAs. One ULA represented 1 hour of class time, supplemented by 2 hours of practical application and 3 hours of independent work under direct supervision. The total number of ULAs required for graduation from an undergraduate program was 3200. Even though the ULA system was made obligatory in 1980, Colombian institutions were slow to implement it and many continued to use credit hours and number of years of study to describe programs. Comments: Training in related occupations is also available at the professional technical and technological levels. Some institutions offering lower technical and vocational education provide law-related training as well. Page 85 of 131 AACRAO – American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers / Wellington, Stanley, “Colombia: A Study of the Educational System of Colombia and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students from Colombia in Educational Institutions of the United States.” (1984). • Undergraduate degree in dentistry – may be considered to have the first professional degree in the field; may be considered for graduate admission. CEFAHQ – Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec, “Tableau comparatif des diplômes colombiens.” (2007). • Undergraduate degree in dentistry – comparable to a specialized Bachelor Degree. IQAS Recommendations for: The title of Odontólogo/a (dentist), representing a minimum of five years of full-time study, generally compares to the completion of a first professional university degree in dentistry, preceded by preprofessional university study in science. Note: The dentistry degree program in Colombia usually requires [four or five] years of continuous study in the Faculty of Dentistry (Odontology). In Canada, dentistry degrees, in general, require at least two years of preprofessional university study followed by four years of professional dentistry study. IQAS Rationale: • Length of program: Typically 10 semesters of full-time study. Often the duration of a program will be expressed in academic credits only. As of 2002, theoretically students can be admitted to undergraduate programs in dentistry based on the title of tecnólogo in a related area, in which case they would only require an additional 3-4 semesters of study to obtain an undergraduate degree. In practice, however, this happens very rarely. Given the great autonomy Colombia’s institutions of higher education enjoy, the total number of academic credits required for graduation is not officially legislated but rather is determined by individual institutions. In other words, an undergraduate program in dentistry can have different credit requirements and a slightly different duration at various Colombian institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. • Language of instruction: Spanish. (Solid knowledge of a foreign language, typically English, is usually a requirement for graduation as well and must be demonstrated by passing an international language test like TOEFL.) Page 86 of 131 • Curriculum: Colombian undergraduate programs in dentistry tend to consist of a large core component, obligatory for all students in the program, and a small number of elective courses. Undergraduate dentistry courses focus primarily on these areas: − basic sciences (e.g., biology, histology, anatomy, pathology, physiology), − pharmacology and therapeutic treatment, − public health, − ethics and bioethics, − rehabilitation, − growth and development, − peridontics, − endodontics, − orthodontics, − oral surgery. Laboratories and practica are an essential part of the program as great emphasis is placed on practical application of skills and knowledge. Usually students are also required to complete a small research project (trabajo de grado or proyecto de grado) in the last year of study. Sample curriculum for an undergraduate program in dentistry (Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2008) (Source: http://www.unal.edu.co/odontologia/pagina%20pregrado.php) Intensity (hours per week) Semester Courses Theory Practice Cellular biology 5 4 Biophysics 5 - Biochemistry I 2 4 Introduction to dentistry 4 - I Oral morphology I 1 2 Biochemistry II 3 1 Morphology 10 10 Oral morphology II 1 2 Vital human processes 2 2 II Health clinic 2 2 Physiology 8 4 Oral morphology III 1 2 Imagenology 6 - The health-illness process 4 2 III General pathology 3 2 Introduction to the clinic I 6 3 Oral microbiology 4 3 Oral pathology 8 2 IV Pharmacology I 4 - Introduction to the clinic II 6 6 Clinical and social semiology 6 6 Pharmacology and therapeutics 6 - V Anaesthesiology - 3 VI Integral dentistry – adults I 2 6 Page 87 of 131 Integral dentistry – children I 2 6 Introduction to the clinic III 2 8 Oral surgery clinic I 2 6 Pharmacology II 4 - Oral surgery clinic II 2 6 Introduction to the clinic IV 3 5 Integral dentistry – adults II 2 6 Integral dentistry – children II 2 6 VII Research workshop 3 - Integral dentistry – adults III 2 6 Integral dentistry – children III 2 6 Integral dentistry – geriatrics 2 4 Organization and management 4 - VIII Biostatistics 3 - Integral dentistry 4 6 One of the following courses (in-depth study): • Hospital dentistry – adults I • Hospital dentistry – children I • Biomaterials and biotechnology I • Family and community health I • Basic sciences I • Dental laboratory I • Integral attention – older adults I 4 4 4 4 4 4 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 19 IX Final degree project - - One of the following courses (in-depth study): • Hospital dentistry – adults II • Hospital dentistry – children II • Biomaterials and biotechnology II • Family and community health II • Basic sciences II • Dental laboratory II • Integral attention – older adults II 6 6 6 6 6 6 10 14 14 14 14 14 14 19 X Final degree project - - Both of the following context courses: • Quality of life • Violence, health, and peace Any Three of the following elective courses (selection may vary from year to year): • Ceramic materials science • Immunology • Protein quantification • Dental geriatrics • Medical and surgical treatment of dental infections • Oral-facial pain • Biological risk Each course has an intensity of 2 -3 hours per week and is taken for one semester. • Exit credential: Upon completion of undergraduate studies in dentistry, students are awarded the title of Odontólogo or Odontóloga (Dentist). Prior to the 1980s, some universities would grant the title of Doctor en Odontología (Doctor in Dentistry) to those who completed an undergraduate program in dentistry. Currently, the degree of doctor is strictly a graduate- Page 90 of 131 required to take a make-up examination (examen de habilitación), which will be indicated on their academic transcript. Only a few institutions choose to use a different evaluation method. For instance, Universidad Católica de Colombia uses a 10-point scale, with 6 as the lowest passing grade. Universidad Pedagógica Nacional uses a 50-point scale, with 30 as the lowest passing grade. • Academic credits: The coursework completed by students is measured according to the credit system introduced in 2003. One academic credit (crédito académico) is equal to 48 hours of academic work, consisting of 16 hours of lectures and 32 hours of independent study at the undergraduate level. In other words, students are expected to follow up every hour of classroom instruction with additional 2 hours of independent work. It is not uncommon for a specific program to have different credit requirements at different institutions. All exit credentials have equal academic value regardless of the actual program duration or number of credits. In the years 1980-2003, postsecondary programs were measured in units of academic work (unidades de labor académico) or ULAs. One ULA represented 1 hour of class time, supplemented by 2 hours of practical application and 3 hours of independent work under direct supervision. The total number of ULAs required for graduation from an undergraduate program was 3200. Even though the ULA system was made obligatory in 1980, Colombian institutions were slow to implement it and many continued to use credit hours and number of years of study to describe programs. Comments: Training in dentistry-related occupations is also available at the professional technical and technological levels, even though the number of these programs is very limited. Technical and technological programs in dental prosthetics (prótesis dental) and dental mechanics (mecánica dental) are the most popular ones. Institutions offering lower technical and vocational education can provide dentistry-related training as well. Page 91 of 131 COLOMBIA (República de Colombia) Médico (Physician) / Médico y Cirujano (Physician and Surgeon) Date Entered: July 2008 Category: Undergraduate degree program in medicine Credential Actual Name: Médico Médico General Médico Cirujano Médico y Cirujano Credential English Name: Physician General Physician Physician Surgeon Physician and Surgeon Credential Alternate Actual Name(s): Doctor en Medicina (used by some universities prior to the 1980s) Credential Alternate English Name(s): Doctor in Medicine Time Period Credential Offered: Current Issuing Body: Undergraduate degree diplomas are issued by individual educational institutions, which have full authority over their format and content. Undergraduate programs are delivered predominantly by universities (universidades) but also by university institutions (institutciones universitarias) and technological schools (escuelas tecnológicas). In Spanish, the actual name of any one of the above institutions can include the words corporación (corporation), fundación (foundation), escuela (school), colegio or colegio mayor (college), politécnico (polytechnic), unidad (unit), or instituto (institute). Most universities and university institutions will have the word universidad or universitaria in their name, but there are exceptions. Universities are also the only type of institutions in Colombia authorized to offer all kinds of programs and grant all academic titles up to the doctoral level. The smaller organizational units that comprise a university are faculdades (faculties), escuelas (schools or colleges), and departamentos (departments). Admission Requirements: Admission requirements for all Colombian undergraduate programs include the title of bachiller and a sufficient score on the State Examination for Admission to Higher Education (Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as examen de estado (state exam) or pruebas ICFES (ICFES tests). Some students choose to complete a pre-university program preparing them for the admission exam and university studies. Such courses, however, are not entrance pre-requisites, have no academic value, and do not offer students any privileges such as advanced placement. Students can be admitted to undergraduate programs in medicine Page 92 of 131 only based on the title of bachiller since there are no technological programs in general medicine that would qualify the students for transfer of credit. All applicants are generally required to pass an additional admission exam and a personal interview administered by the postsecondary institution. Program Description: Currently, Colombia has 53 faculties of medicine spread throughout the country offering numerous programs in medicine (medicina), mostly at the undergraduate and specialization levels. Undergraduate programs in medicine have a duration of 12 semesters of full-time study, consisting of 10 semesters of theoretical instruction and clinical practica plus 2 semesters of rotation-based internship at a designated clinic or hospital. The academic title students are granted after completing their undergraduate studies in medicine can be expressed as médico (physician), médico general (general physician), médico cirujano (physician surgeon), or médico y cirujano (physician and surgeon). All of the above titles are equivalent. The National System of Information of Higher Education (Sistema Nacional de Información de Educación Superior) or SNIES maintains a searchable online database of information about all registered higher education institutions and programs. Provides Access to in the Home Country: • Employment (following appropriate professional registration). • Admission to graduate studies: Holders of an undergraduate degree in medicine can continue their studies at the graduate level. (Graduate specializations in particular are very common among medical students.) Placement Recommendations: NOOSR – National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia, “Country Education Profiles: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Undergraduate degree from a leading higher education institution (4-5 years of full-time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 4 years of full- time study) – in the first instance comparable to an AQF Associate Degree or AQF Advanced Diploma depending on the field of study; consideration may be given for assessment at Australian Bachelor Degree level on a case-by-case basis. • Undergraduate degree from any other higher education institution (minimum 5 years of full- time study) – comparable to an Australian Bachelor Degree. UK-NARIC – National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom, “International Comparisons: Colombia.” Online database (2008). • Any undergraduate degree (minimum 4 years of full-time study) – comparable to British Page 95 of 131 II Biology II Physiology and biochemistry of systems Social sciences and health II Structure and function I (anatomy, histology, physiology) Metabolic biochemistry Community, reception, and dialogue Basic biostatistics III Biology III Social sciences and health III Structure and function II (neuroanatomy, histology, neuroendocrine physiology, embryology) Basic genetics Molecular biology Human behaviour Medicine and human values IV Physiology and medical biochemistry Social sciences and health IV Pathology Medical microbiology Psychopathology Advanced biostatistics V Microbiology Pathology Parasitology Introduction to internal medicine General semiology Mechanisms of disease Introduction to psychiatry Pharmacology for medicine Family medicine VI Medicine I (theoretical instruction and clinical practica) Pharmacology Basic internal medicine General ethics Research design Fundamentals of radiology VII Medicine II (theoretical instruction and clinical practica) Rehabilitation I Advanced internal medicine (dermatology, clinical neurology) Clinical psychiatry Evidence-based medicine VIII Paediatrics Rehabilitation II Gynaecology and obstetrics General surgery Civil responsibility and crime IX Surgery Paediatrics Clinical genetics Bioethics Ophthalmology Otorhinolaryngology Preventive medicine X Legal medicine Psychiatry Gynaecology and obstetrics Administration, management, legislation, and quality of health care Anaesthesia Urology Orthopaedics Neurosurgery Legal medicine Public health Occupational health Health care administration and management Page 96 of 131 XI, XII Rotation-based internship • Exit credential: The academic title students are granted after completing their undergraduate studies in medicine can be expressed as one of the following: − Médico (Physician), − Médico General (General Physician), − Médico Cirujano (Physician Surgeon), or − Médico y Cirujano (Physician and Surgeon). All of the above titles are equivalent and are granted upon completion of similar programs of study. The feminine version of the title – Médica – does exist but is rarely used. Prior to the 1980s, some universities would grant the title of Doctor en Medicina (Doctor in Medicine) to those who completed an undergraduate program in medicine. Currently, the degree of doctor is strictly a graduate-level title. It is important to note that the word título (title) is not an essential part of the actual name of Colombian credentials. In fact, on the degree certificate, all undergraduate degrees can be preceded by phrases like the following: − título de… (title of…), − título profesional de… (professional title of…), − diploma de… (diploma of…), − grado de… (degree of…), − grado profesional de… (professional degree of…). In terms of documentation, graduates receive a diploma, usually accompanied by a graduation record and a transcript, issued by the institution where they completed their education. • Examinations: Students enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program in medicine must take the national Examination of Quality of Higher Education (Examen de Calidad de la Educación Superior), commonly referred to as ECAES and administered by the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education (Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior) or ICFES. Individual ECAES scores have no direct impact on whether or not a student is awarded their degree. Graduation and the award of the academic title depend strictly on internal evaluations conducted by the institution of higher education as the ECAES is meant to assess the quality of programs rather than individuals. The ECAES was first administered to undergraduate students in medicine in 2002 and became mandatory in 2003. The exam currently consists of 220 multiple-choice questions that focus on the basic competencies in medicine. More information about ECAES is available on the ICFES website. Page 97 of 131 • Specializations and further studies: The knowledge and skills acquired at the undergraduate level through theoretical instruction, clinical practica, and internships is designed to train general physicians and allows for very little specialization. However, numerous graduate- level specialization programs, similar to Canadian residency programs, are available. Most students of medicine will complete a specialization in the field of their interest. The most popular medical specializations in Colombia and their average durations are listed below. Master’s and doctoral degrees in medical fields are not common. Most common medical specializations and typical length of programs in Colombia Specialization Duration (in semesters) Internal Medicine (Medicina Interna) 6 Paediatrics (Pediatría) 6 Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Ginecología y Obstetricia) 6-8 Anaesthesiology and Reanimation (Anestesiología y Reanimación) 6 General Surgery (Cirugía General) 6-8 Ophthalmology (Oftalmología) 6-8 Orthopaedics and Traumatology (Ortopedia y Traumatología) 8 Radiology and Imaging (Radiología e Imágenes) 6-8 Neurosurgery (Neurocirugía) 8-10 Otorhinolaryngology (Otorrinolaringología) 6-8 Psychiatry (Psiquiatría) 6 Urology (Urología) 6-8 Paediatric Surgery (Cirugía Pediátrica) 4-6 Cardiovascular Surgery (Cirugía Cardiovascular) 4-6 Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery (Cirugía Plástica y Maxilofacial) 8-10 Dermatology (Dermatología) 6-8 Pain and Palliative Care (Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo) 2-6 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Medicina Física y Rehabilitación) 4-6 • Professional registration and licensing: Since medicine is a regulated profession in Colombia, an academic title alone does not entitle the degree-holders to practice as physicians. They must first be issued a certificate of professional registration (certificado de matrícula profesional) and a wallet-size professional license (tarjeta profesional). No additional examinations are administered. The issuing of the license is simply a process through which degree-holders register their qualification with the appropriate body. In the past, professional licenses were issued to physicians by the regional Secretariats or Directorates of Health (Secretarias o Direcciones de Salud), representing the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud). As of 2002, physicians can apply for professional registration either directly to the General Directorate of Analysis and Policy of Human Resources (Dirección General de Análisis y Política de Recursos Humanos) or to the existing regional Secretariats or Directorates of Health, both of which are affiliated with the Ministry of Social Protection (Ministerio de la Protección Social). In October 2007, new legislation delegated the