_(2).jpg)
Alicentiate (abbreviatedLic.) is anacademic degree awarded in many countries, by a variety of types of educational (usually tertiary) institutions, after a variety of courses of study. It can represent completion of study at differenteducational levels, but in many contexts is seen as broadly similar to a diploma; it is commonly for postgraduate studies shorter than a masters program.
TheLicentiate (Pontifical Degree) is also apostgraduate[1][2][3] degree preparatory to a doctoral degree when issued bypontifical universities and certain other universities inEurope,Latin America, andAsia.
The term is also used for a person who holds this degree.[4][5]
The term derives fromLatinlicentia, "freedom" (from Latinlicēre, "to be allowed"), which is applied in the phraseslicentia docendi (alsolicentia doctorandi), meaning "permission to teach", andlicentia ad practicandum (alsolicentia practicandi), meaning "permission to practice", signifying someone who holds a certificate of competence to practise a profession.
TheGregorian Reform of the Catholic Church led to an increased focus on theliberal arts in episcopal schools during the 11th and 12th centuries, withPope Gregory VII (pope 1073-1085) ordering all bishops to make provision for the teaching of liberal arts in their dioceses.[6] Educational officials in a diocese or school (chancellors andscholasters) exercised a high degree of control overwho could teach within theirlocus magisterii — the geographical area in which they had authority to regulate teaching and schools. Throughout the 12th century, their control tightened to such an extent that they essentially had regulatory monopolies over all teachers in their diocese or area; thus, potential teachers were barred from acting as instructors without the explicit authorization of their scholasters. Thus arose the licentia as a licence or permission or authority to conduct one's professional work: as an educator.
Conflicts then sometimes arose between scholasters and local independent educators, who might for example have taught at, or operated an educational facility, without church permission. Additionally, chancellors often improperly demandedexpensive gifts before granting a person a license to teach: a form of church corruption or simony. In response to these issues and otherwise escalating abuses of power,Pope Alexander III (pope 1159-1181) demanded that a freelicentia docendi should be granted to anyone deemed qualified to teach. This allowed the Church in Rome, over time, to centralize and doctrinalise its educational control: reducing the power of individual scholasters locally to regulate teachers, but maintaining some doctrinal orthodoxy or harmony throughout the Christian world as to what content should be taught.[6][7]
Originally, for the student in the medieval university thelicentia docendi was of a somewhat different nature than the academic degrees of bachelor, master or doctor. The latter degrees essentially indicated the rank or seniority of the holder in her faculty or subject matter/professional/practice area (eg, law, arts, theology, or medicine). In a different way, the licentia was literally a licence to teach. It was awarded not by a university but by the church, embodied in the chancellor of the diocese in which the university was located. The licentia would only be awarded, however, upon recommendation by the university, initially shortly before the candidate would be awarded the degree of master or doctor (the requirements for which, beyond having been awarded the licentia, were only of a ceremonial nature).
Over time, however, this distinction in nature between thelicentia on the one hand and the bachelor, master and doctor degrees on the other began to fade. In the continental European universities thelicentia became an academic degree intermediate between the bachelor's degree on the one hand and the master's or doctor's degree on the other, in particular in the so-called 'higher' faculties. Moreover, the costs for obtaining the doctorate degree, in particular, could be significant. As a result, most students not intending an academic career would forgo the doctorate, and the licentiate became a common highest-obtained degree for those who had pursued some additional study (beyond that required for their initial, usually Bachelor's, degree).
Notable exceptions to this ongoing development in the use and status of the licentate were the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the universities modelled after them. As their locations were not the seats of bishops, the granting of thelicentia docendi was by proxy, and its significance faded away.[8] In many such places other 'intermediate' (ie non-terminal) postgraduate, or pre-doctoral postgraduate degrees took the place of what began to be called the licentiate in Europe: most often these were masters programs with a degree that could then, with some years of further research or doctoral work, be 'converted' to a PhD or DPhil.
Thepontifical or canonical licentiate is a post-graduate, research degree, considered above the master's degree and below the research doctoral degree, conferred by authority of theHoly See by a pontifical university or ecclesiastical faculty upon completion of studies in one of the sacred sciences. The pontifical licentiate is a canonical pre-requisite for entrance into a pontifical doctoral program: "Nobody can be admitted to the doctorate unless first having obtained the licentiate."[9]
This type of licentiate may be conferred in any of the sacred sciences, includingtheology, philosophy orcanon law, such as theLicentiate of Canon Law (JCL), theLicentiate of Sacred Theology (STL), or the Licentiate of Philosophy (PhL).Pontifical universities and Catholic Universities with Ecclesiastical Faculties all confer such degrees. Thus, the list of tertiary institutions awarding these licentiates includes:
ThePontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto awards a licentiate in Mediaeval studies, but, unusually, only offers it as a postdoctoral degree. (Cf. theCanada section below.)
Notably, such a canonical licentiate also grants the holder the "licence" (which is usually necessary but is of course not sufficient by itself) to teach at any Catholic university, seminary, or pontifical faculty, globally.
InArgentina, theLicentiate degree (Spanish:Licenciatura), by which one becomes alicenciado, is a four to six-year degree with a required final thesis defence.[10] Upon competition of the licentiate degree the student may be eligible to apply for apostgraduate degree such as amaster ordoctorate.[11]
Currently the only institutions in Australia to grant licentiates, apart from theological colleges, are theAustralian Music Examinations Board andSt Cecilia School of Music, which confer licentiate diplomas. The status of this award is similar to that of an Australian diploma—currently one year of post-secondary education—and so it is a lesser award than a degree, although this award can usually take two or more years to complete due to its high standard. Similarly, for theological colleges in former times, the licentiate was a specific post graduate award, analogous to a current graduate diploma. It was used specifically because some theological colleges did not enjoy university status, and could not award degrees such as baccalaureates, masters and doctorates. Though this was never the case in Catholic Colleges where the Licentiate cannot be earned until one has completed 7 years of study (5 for the baccalaureate and 2 for the licentiate). In such an instance, it sits well above the level of graduate diploma between that of master's and doctorate.
The Catholic Institute of Sydney is a Pontifical Faculty and as such offers theLicentiate of Sacred Theology which ranks above a master's degree and can only be earned after seven years of study (five years for the S.T.B.; two years for the S.T.L.). The licentiate is part of the three cycles of theological education in the Roman Catholic Church that was instituted in 1931: baccalaureate (STB); licentiate (STL) and doctorate (STD). It is the licentiate that licences faculty to teach in seminaries. SeeJohn Paul II'sapostolic constitution,Sapientia Christiana.[12]
AtBelgianuniversities, a person titledLicentiate (orLicentiaat inDutch orLicencié inFrench, abbreviatedlic.) holds the equivalent education of amaster's degree. A femaleLicentiate was calledLicentiate in Dutch andLicenciée in French. The years spent to obtain the degree ofLicentiate were calledLicentiaat orLicentie in Dutch andLicence in French. It was the second level of university study, after that ofCandidate (orKandidaat in Dutch orCandidat in French, abbreviatedcand.). A femaleCandidate was calledKandidate in Dutch andCandidate in French. The years spent to obtain the degree ofCandidate were calledKandidaats orKandidatuur in Dutch andCandidature in French. Each of those two levels required at least two years (four semesters) of successful study. Licentiates were required to write athesis (calledlicentiaatsverhandeling in Dutch andmémoire de licence in French). Thiscandidate-licentiate system is now being replaced by an American-stylebachelor-master system.Civil engineer (orBurgerlijk ingenieur in Dutch orIngénieur civil in French, abbreviatedir.),Doctor of Medicine (orDoctor in de geneeskunde in Dutch orDocteur en médecine in French, abbreviateddr. med., until 1992),Physician (orArts in Dutch orMédecin in French, after 1992),Doctor of Law (orDoctor in de rechten in Dutch orDocteur en droit in French, abbreviateddr. iur., until 1972) andMagister (philosophy and theology, abbreviatedmag.) were equivalent toLicentiate.Baccalaureus (philosophy and theology, abbreviatedbac.) was equivalent toCandidate. The former titlesdr. med. anddr. iur. are to be considered asprofessional doctorates, whereas the titledr., which is the result of third level study and research, is ahigher doctorate. The Belgianlicentiate was also equivalent to thedoctorandus in the Netherlands. At theKU Leuven there used to be a degreeLicentiaat-doctorandus in de TEW (Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen) en in Beleidsinformatica. Apart from the general abbreviationlic., more specific abbreviations, such asLHFW (Licentiaat in de Handels- en Financiële Wetenschappen) andLTH (Licentiaat in de Tandheelkunde) exist.Study for a Belgian degree is very rigorous. Students in Belgian universities usually spend more than thirty hours a week on their studies, as opposed to the average of fifteen hours atAmerican universities. As a result of this, students in Belgium are able to complete their licentiate or master's degrees in four to five years, as opposed to the usual six at American institutions.
InBolivia, aLicenciatura is a professional degree distinct from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor in Science, which are more common in the Anglosphere, as it requires that the student take more credits for the completion of a professional curricula. The Licenciatura allows the holder to practice their profession in all of Bolivia. The durational requirements to obtain a Licenciatura vary depending on the profession studied; however, most universities require the completion of the curricula within four to five years. Aside from the durational requirements, Bolivian universities also require that all candidates, at the completion of the curricula, complement their studies by writing a thesis or by sitting for an oral examination in which State and University representatives take part by testing the student's professional knowledge and skills.
In Brazil,Licenciatura is a professional degree distinct from theBachelor of Arts orBachelor of Science, as it requires students to take more credits for the completion of a professionalcurriculum. The Licenciatura degree allows its holder to teach disciplines both in primary and secondary education. Although durational requirements to obtainLicenciatura often depend on the topic studied, most universities require the completion of the curriculum within four to five years. Besides the durational requirements for academic activities, Brazilian universities may also require that degree candidates complement their studies by writing a dissertation and apply for an oral examination. This evaluation is performed by Professors and or Researchers aiming to assess the student's professional knowledge and skills.
For instance, as defined by theBrazilian National Council of Education (Ministry of Education), aLicenciatura modality inBiological Sciences should include, in addition to specific topics ofBiology, contents in the areas ofChemistry,Physics andHealth, to attend elementary and secondary education. Pedagogical training, in addition to its specificities, should contemplate an overview of the education and the formative processes of the students. It should also emphasize the instrumentation for the teaching of Sciences at the fundamental level and for the teaching of biology at the intermediate level. In some Brazilian universities,Bachelor's degree andLicenciatura can be obtained concomitantly, by simultaneously fulfilling requirements for both the degrees (e.g. theBachelor's andLicenciatura degrees in Biological Sciences, offered by thePontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil).
While the termlicentiate is not generally used byCanadian academic institutions, a Licentiate in Laws (LL.L.) is offered by some Canadian universities for the completion of studies equivalent to aBachelor of Civil Law.A licentiate is also offered by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) upon completion of a series of Medical Council of Canada Qualifying examinations for Canadian and International medical graduates. This licentiate is required to obtain an independent medical practice licence in Canada.
Saint Paul University offers the degree ofLicentiate in Philosophy by examination, which may be undertaken within ten years of receiving an MA from the Department of Philosophy at theUniversity of Ottawa. This licentiate, a pontifical degree, qualifies graduates to teach philosophy at a seminary or college.[13] Saint Paul University also offers aLicentiate in Canon Law that enables the recipient to practice as a canon lawyer within the Roman Catholic Church, as well as aLicentiate in Sacred Theology which is part of the baccalaureate, licentiate, and doctorate theological degree course within the Roman Catholic Church.
Regis College, University of Toronto offers the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology. It is part of the cycle of baccalaureate, licentiate, doctorate in theological formation in the Roman Catholic Church. It can be earned while studying for a civil master's or doctoral degree. It probably sits in rank between the two levels. SeeJohn Paul II'sapostolic constitution,Sapientia Christiana.[12]
ThePontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies at theUniversity of Toronto offers a License inMediaeval Studies (LMS) as a degree exclusively forpostdoctoral students who have already completed a PhD.[14] (The application for the LMS refers to it as a "licentiate" and not as a "license".)[15] The degree is unusual in that licentiates fromPontifical institutions are usually a precursor to a doctorate, and not a post-doctoral achievement.
TheRoyal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, offers a Licentiate Diploma (LRCM) in Piano Performance. The LRCM is the highest level of The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program. The examination is evaluated as a professional concert performance. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a masterful command of the instrument and communicate an understanding of stylistic characteristics and structural elements of each repertoire selection with interpretive insight and a mature musical personality.[16]
InCosta Rica, a licentiate belongs to the second level of education (grade), lower than amaster's degree but higher than a bachelor's degree, according to the Office for the Planning of Higher Education, part of the National Council of Rectors. Licentiate is extended to those who have fulfilled the requirements of a university program that has a minimum of 150 and a maximum of 180 course credits (public university programs usually last from four to six years of study) and a minimum duration of 10 lesson cycles of 15 weeks or its equivalent (three or four extra course semesters after the completion of thebachelor's degree).[17]
Students are also required to fulfill the requirements for graduation for each institution, which usually requires writing a thesis in some universities, attending a graduation seminar, or developing a project in order to graduate, and some degrees involve the same credits as a master's degree but not the same level of rigor. This is also the degree conferred to a practicing physician. The degree is not considered terminal, and it is not sufficient to be a rector of a private university.
The licentiate was formerly awarded in Denmark and Norway, and was roughly equal to the AmericanPhD degree[citation needed]. In Denmark, it has formally been replaced by the PhD degree. The proper doctorates in Denmark are considered higher degrees than the PhD (i.e.higher doctorates).
In theDominican Republic, aLicenciatura is awarded to students after studies of four to six years. Some universities requirestudents to write a thesis in order to graduate while others have to write a shorter, and less labor-intensive, monograph. The Licenciatura is one of the major University degree previous to doctoral studies.
InSwedish andFinnish universities, a licentiate's degree, recognised as a pre-doctoral degree, is equal to completion of the coursework and a dissertation which is formally equivalent to half of a doctoral dissertation. In Finland, the extent of licentiate degree is 120 ECTS equivalent and it requires two to three years of full-time research. Its prerequisite is a completed 4-year academic degree at advanced level, such as aMaster's degree or aMagister's degree.[18] Licentiate degree holders are officially eligible for independent scientific research in Universities, and entitled to the right to supervise master's and licentiate degree theses.
Until the early 1970s, the degree in Sweden was equivalent to the U.S. PhD requiring four to seven years of study after the Bachelor's (or Master's) degree, and a publicly defended thesis. It was gradually substituted with the "Doctor's exam" in 1969 and was re-instituted as an intermediate level in research training in the 1980s, now requiring only two years of study after Masters graduation. The licentiate's degree is called afilosofie licentiat inSwedish andfilosofian lisensiaatti inFinnish (Licentiate of Philosophy),teologie licentiat andteologian lisensiaatti (Licentiate of Theology) etc., depending on the faculty. Furthermore, the requisite degree for a physician's licence islicentiat/lisensiaatti; there is no master's degree. (The degreelääketieteen tohtori,medicine doktor, "Doctor of Medicine" is a traditional professor's degree, or a researchdoctorate, with licentiate as a prerequisite.)
The Licentiate of Engineering is an intermediate postgraduate degree used only in a few countries, among them Sweden and Finland, and can be seen as an academic step halfway between a Master's and a PhD. In Swedish, it is calledTeknologie Licentiat, usually abbreviated asTekn. Lic., and in Finnish,tekniikan lisensiaatti, abbreviated asTkL. The Licentiate of Engineering corresponds to 120 ECTS credits (80 workweeks (old credits)), or nominally two years of full-time work, whereas a PhD amounts to 240 ECTS credits (160 workweeks (old credits)), or a nominal period of four years of full-time work (one old credit equals one week of full-time studies). However, as a result of the differences in requirements and individual performance, the time to complete a Licentiate of Engineering degree varies. For the thesis, 2–3 peer-refereed articles (or an equivalent monograph) is usually required, and there is no requirement for original researchper se. In contrast, a doctoral thesis requires 4–6 articles and must demonstrate original research. The program for a licentiate degree is equivalent to a total of two years of full-time study.[19]
InFrench universities, a licenciate (licencié(e)) is the holder of alicence (French:[liˈsãs]), which is a three-year degree, roughly equivalent to a graduate degree. There are two kinds of licence: general and professional.
In Germany, a person titledLizentiat holds the equivalent education of aMaster's degree orDiplom. Until the 1990s, the degree was offered as a law degree at theSaarland University as a single university degree (Lic.iur.) with a duration varying between five and eight years. For political reasons, this degree was discontinued, mainly because theStaatsexamen (Law degree) became the predominant representation of the mainstream education of a lawyer. The Lizentiat is largely equivalent to the 1. Staatsexamen but, unlike the latter, is assessed by the university, not the state administration. It also allowed specialisation in areas of the law which were either not covered by other legal qualifications, e.g. ecclesiastical law etc., or not covered to the same extent. Other disciplines, such as theology or journalism (FU Berlin), used to offer aLizentiat qualification instead of a PhD.
In Haiti universities, a licenciate (licencié(e)) is the holder of a licence, which is a four-year degree, equivalent to a bachelor's degree. There are two kinds of licence: general and professional.
The general licence is a diploma issued by a university and authenticated by the national department of education. This authentication confirms the school follows and complies to the national curriculum requirements for a four-year baccalaureat (bachelor's) degree.
The professional licence is a Certificate licence issued by a university and authenticated national Department of education after the licenciate diploma holder submits a final paper research that have been analyzed and graded by a board of professors or faculty jury member from the school.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR) offers a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (LMCHK).[20] This licentiate is required of non-locally trained doctors in order to register as a medical practitioner in Hong Kong.[21] The LMCHK qualification forms part of the pathway towards registration to practice medicine in Hong Kong for those that graduated from medical schools outside of Hong Kong. TheLicentiate Society is an independent, non-profit professional body formed to help candidates with the challenges of attaining the LMCHK.[22]
In India, the Licentiate is a vocational qualification offered by the special vocational boards or professional bodies. These are offered after completion of school education and are somewhat less extensive than a full-fledged university degree. Issuers of the licentiate degree include but are not limited to theInsurance Institute of India,[23] theInstitute of Company Secretaries of India,[24] the Association of Mutual Funds of India, and the Diploma Examination Board of the government of Andhra Pradesh.
Licentiate Certified Physician and Surgeon (LCPS) was a recognized medical qualification in India before 1946, when theBhore Committee effectively made the MBBS the sole entry point into the medical profession in India.[25]
As in many Latin American countries, thelicenciatura is a general term denoting the first higher-education degree awarded at universities, varying from three to five years of study, depending on the field. It is thus anundergraduate degree, and requires alicence to practice in the learned profession.
In Mexico, a distinction is made between simply passing all the required courses, just being a graduate (graduado orpasante), and actually obtaining the degreediploma (título profesional). Obtaining the diploma means the student completely concluded their studies, and has the right of using the title ofLicenciado. Statistics show that historically only about 60% of those graduating actually obtain the diploma.[26] At the same time the diploma is awarded, a professionalcredential (cédula profesional) may be obtained from the National Directorate of Professions (Dirección General de Profesiones, DGP), which serves as a licence to practice and as a nationalID card. Some professions do not require the professional credential, but for others, likemedicine,accounting,civil engineering, orsocial work, it is mandatory by law.[27] The law also establishespenalties forcrimes committed regarding the professional practice, including those in which an individual offers professional services without having the proper diploma or licence.[27]
For a number of years, presenting athesis was the only method to obtain the diploma (título). Nowadays, some universities, like theNational Autonomous University of Mexico, may still require the thesis, while others, like the federalinstitutes of technology, may forgo the thesis in exchange for demonstrating professional experience, research work, or excellentacademic grades.
By their nature, some disciplines, such asnursing, medicine andlaw, require an intense theoretical background, as well as practical training, and so a first university degree in those areas may take longer to complete (up to 6 years). Even after obtaining the diploma, graduates require passing a nationalexam to finally be awarded the professional licence.
In Mexico, every graduate who obtained alicenciatura diploma is technically and legally alicenciado (abbreviatedLic. before the name). However, it is mostly common to useLic. for graduates of thesocial sciences, while more specific titles and prefixes are used for other professionals such as engineer (Ingeniero, Ing.), architect (Arquitecto, Arq.), or biologist (Biólogo, Biol.).
In Mexico, thelicenciatura qualifies the recipient to pursue amaster's degree (maestría). In exceptional cases, the recipient may apply directly to adoctoral degree (doctorado), in which case the study plan integrates coursework from the master's program, and may take up to five years to complete.
According to theBologna process in Europe, virtually anylicenciado has the equivalent qualifications of a 3-yearbachelor's degree. The Mexicanlicenciatura, however, should never be confused with a more advancedpostgraduate degree, such as theSwedish "Licenciate of Technology" (Teknologie Licentiat).
The Photographic Society of New Zealand awards a licentiateship, Licentiate (LPSNZ), for "proficiency of a high order in practical photography." This means the applicant must demonstrate sound basic technical ability, along with good compositional skill, and awareness of lighting. Proficiency implies skill with the camera and in processing and presenting images. This is the first of three honours available the other two being Associate (APSNZ) and Fellow (FPSNZ).
InNicaragua, aLicenciatura is awarded to students afterundergraduate studies ranging between four and six years. Students are required to write a thesis if studying in the liberal arts, law or science in order to graduate. Students in engineering typically completemódulos, which are additional post-degree requirements before graduating. Additionally, there are Nicaraguan universities that require an internship(internado or pasantía) prior to graduation. The Licenciatura is the degree that segues candidates into bothmasters and/orPhD programs.
This degree is awarded upon completion of four years of study in a specific field of study – e.g.,Licenciatura de Docencia en inglés (Licentiate in Teaching of English), and qualifies the recipient to pursue a master's degree, or teach at a high school or middle school level with additional training. In order to be able to teach at university level, the recipient of a licentiate must complete thePosgrado de Docencia Superior (Postgraduate of Tertiary Education), which may be obtained before or after a master's degree.
InPeru, "Bachiller" is awarded automatically for having completed all the courses required for obtaining the first academic degree. In Peru, a "Bachiller" degree is the first academic degree and allows one to enroll in a master's degree course. The master's degree is the second degree and it allows you to get a Doctor's degree (equivalent to aPhD).
The "Licenciatura" in Peru is not considered an academic degree,[28] but rather a "Professional Title" within a specific profession which allows you to work in positions outsideacademia and perform as an independent professional in the Republic of Peru. Most professions require the "Licenciatura" or "Professional Title" to be able to register withprofessional association or society (Colegio Profesional). To obtain a "Licenciatura" it is required to either pass an additional test or defend a thesis. Although most Bachelor courses in Peru require to complete "Thesis work" or "Thesis seminars" modules(usually developing a research project during the last two semesters of the course) to obtain the degree, it is not mandatory to defend it. To obtain a "Licenciatura" or "Título Profesional" the student is required to write a thesis (usually that developed during their bachelor course), and pass their viva voce. Alternatively, it is possible to complete a written exam and then an oral examination in front of a group of professors (who are registered in the professional college/body of that specific profession). With this last option, it is usually required to have at least one year of professional experience in the relevant field of studies. Therefore, for some professions which used to be called "carreras largas" or long careers (e.g. dentistry, law, psychology and medicine), the student requires more than five years of studies or ten semesters to become a member of a professional body.
Nowadays, some universities do not use the wordLicenciado orLicenciada as a prefix before the professional title, e.g.Licenciado/a en Farmacia y Bioquímica (Licentiate in Pharmacy and Biochemistry) in their certificates. Instead they useQuímico Farmacéutico, the same happens in with the other professions (i.e. Enfermero, Ingeniero, Psicólogo.) In such cases, both written titles are equivalent. The Professional Titles in Peru are equivalent to the professional degrees in the US, therefore if a person obtained a Master in Counselling degree in the US will need to complete the university studies in Peru in order to obtain the Licenciate or Title of Psychologist and then the Licensure at the Colegio de Psicólogos del Perú. In Peru the Professional Title of Psicólogo is similar to the Psy.D which is given in the US.
Alicencjat is a degree that was introduced in Poland by the tertiary education reforms. The purpose of these reforms was to bring the Polish university system into line with theBologna system. It is typically a three- or four-year degree, equivalent to abachelor's degree. Students completing alicencjat often go on to complete amagister's degree.Intheology faculties which useVatican-regulated degrees,licencjat is a degree between that of master and doctor.
Due to the developments introduced by theBologna Process in the mid-2000s, in Portugal the licentiate's degree (Licenciatura) may refer to both old and newLicenciaturas, which were awarded before and after the Bologna's reforms, respectively. The length of the oldLicenciatura programs would range from four to six years and are now equivalent to the newMaster's degrees. In the past, a master's degree would add 2 more years to the 4 to 6 years of the old undergraduateLicenciatura programs, thus taking 6 to 8 years of post-secondary education to obtain a master's degree. The newLicenciatura degrees that are now being awarded in Portugal and in almost all Europe with varying local designations, are usually three-year programs.
Since 2006, in thePortuguese higher education system,Licenciatura is the firstdegree awarded by institutions ofhigher education. It is also the first degree used in theEuropean Higher Education Area, and is also designated aBachelor's degree in other European countries. The Master's degree entails a two-year program of study, in which students can normally enroll after completing a licentiate's degree, and provides higher qualification for employment (e.g., for Architecture or Medicine a Master's is required, as well as for some Engineering branches, entailing a total of 5 to 6 years of post-secondary studies) or to prepare a student for theirPhD research or work permit from the regulatory and licensing body for profession in Portugal.
In Romania, before the Bologna process, a licence (Rom.licenţă) was an academic degree awarded after four to six years of study, finalised by a thesis. It was a degree higher than the graduate diploma obtained after three years of study, which was mostly used in pedagogical institutes that trained secondary education teachers, and was considered inferior to the doctorate. A Romanian licence was the equivalent of a Frenchmaîtrise or a GermanDiplom. There are some Romanian licences (obtained before theBologna process was of application) which have been recognized as meester (mr.)[29] anddoctorandus (drs.)[30] in the Netherlands, i.e. at theLLM andMA level.[31] Now, after the Bologna process, the Romanian licence is similar to aBachelor's degree.[32]
InSerbia and rest offormer Yugoslavia region, the name of the degree wasmagistar, which was awarded after one year of postgraduate studies and finishing themagistarthesis on a scientific subject. The basic graduate studies was four years before that. Accepting the Bolognia process, Serbia changed its academic degrees and the names of degrees were synchronized with other western school systems. Basically, there are 3 levels of studies now: 1.bachelor, 2.master and 3. PhD (Ser.doktorske), but also there are two semi-levels of specialization. Between 1st and 2nd level are professional master's degree studies (Ser.specijalističke strukovne studije) and between 2nd and 3rd level are academic specialist studies (Ser.specijalističke akademske studije). That studies between 2nd and 3rd level of education are equal to licentiate level. It is formally at the 2nd level of academic studies with the master studies (at the same level). As a professional degree, when ranking employees, it is on 3rd level, together with PhD studies.
The main purpose for having such a semi-level is to enable students, who cannot finish PhD studies but reached certain significant level of additional knowledge (around first half of PhD studies), to get certificate about finishing one stage of the PhD studies and continue those studies later in life. To get to thespecialist level, it is needed first to pass master's degree, then study for a year, after which the candidate need to defend the final specialist academic thesis which is a document describing a research in the scientific and professional area, winning additional 60ECTS for overall study.
In Spain, theLicenciatura degree was one of the major higher-education degrees previous to doctoral studies, and is equivalent to abachelor's degree andmaster's degree in the anglophone system. This degree is currently being phased out at Spanish universities, replaced by the 'Grado' and 'Master' system due to the implementation of theBologna Declaration on the European higher education area.
TheLicenciatura academic degree is academically equivalent to theIngeniero orArquitecto degrees. ALicenciatura typically required from four to six years of university courses, and had a typical credit workload of 300 to 400 credits. It usually had two or three introductory years (first cycle, after which the candidate could obtain aDiplomatura or Bachelor's degree in that field of studies) and two additional years (second cycle) for specialization (but this could vary from one to three). In addition, there existed a third cycle, comprising PhD degrees (doctorado, which included one or two years of research-oriented courses and the completion of a thesis towards the samedoctor diploma). When studying for aLicenciatura, completion of the first cycle did not automatically lead to the award of a diploma. However, students could elect to study specialized three-year degrees from the outset (diplomaturas, andarquitecturas técnicas—technical engineering), which, after successful completion, would give access to the second cycle of a number ofLicenciaturas. ALicenciatura degree also provided direct access to professional practice or membership in professional associations such as Bar Associations for lawyers (Colegio de Abogados, until Bar membership requirements were changed to include a minimum amount of legal work experience and passing an exam), medicine, economics, and other regulated professions.
The third cycle was sometimes called postgrado. Note, however, that the label "undergraduate" may be misleading to an anglophone audience, since while a SpanishDiplomatura may be likened to an undergraduate Bachelor's degree, a SpanishLicenciatura is comparable in scope to a postgraduate Master's degree, as the anglophone distinction between "undergraduate" and "postgraduate" degrees does not properly apply to the traditional higher-education system of Spain. Many Spanishlicenciados, when translating theirCVs into English, use the formula BA+MA (or BSc+MSc) to indicate that aLicenciatura is equivalent to a master's degree. Depending on the degree and study plan, some Spanish universities require a small thesis or research project to be submitted in the last year before the student can finally claim their degree.
The Spanish government issued aroyal decree in 2014 establishing the official equivalences between the Spanish pre-Bologna titles and theEuropean Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels. This royal decree also describes theprocedure for applying for a personal certificate stating the equivalence of a given pre-Bologna title to the new Bologna levels. MostLicenciaturas (if not all) have been placed in level 7 (Master) of the EQF.
After the Bologna process, all official university degrees will fall into one of these three categories:Grado (Bachelor), Master or Doctor. MostGrados will consist of three or four years (240 ECTS credits), unless it is otherwise ruled by an EU Directive (like Pharmacy, five years, or Medicine, six years). All university students completing these four years will get aGrado and may then go on with Master's studies (one to two years, 60-120 ECTS credits). Doctorate studies will in most cases require a research-oriented master's degree and may or may not include specific courses.
Grados will take one year more than the oldDiplomatura orIngeniería Técnica degrees, and graduates from the old system may have to study additional courses to transform their degree into aGrado. Nevertheless, in most aspects,Grados will be the equivalent of the old intermediate degrees:Grado engineers will have the responsibilities of formerIngenieros técnicos. Lawyers will need a master's degree, not aGrado. And in public service,Grado holders will by default be in the A2 level (the second highest), while A1 (the highest) will be forGrado holders with additional requirements (such as a master's or a doctorate, or a specialGrado such as Medicine that is in many aspects equivalent to a master's).
Prior to the Bologna process, the master's degree was not considered an official academic degree in Spain, as the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies could only be done directly from aLicenciatura to doctoral studies.
AtSwiss universities, until the adoption of theBologna Convention, theLizentiat/licence was the equivalent of a master's degree (there being no prior degrees) and qualified the holder for doctoral studies. The degree names are followed by the field of study (e.g.lic. phil.,lic. ès lettres,lic. oec., etc.). In line with theBologna Process, the degree has now been replaced by master's degrees (with bachelor's degrees being newly introduced).
According to the Swiss University Conference, the joint organization of the cantons and the Confederation for university politics, and the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities, the oldLizentiat/licence is considered equivalent to the current master's degree.[33]
ETH Zurich stated that they consider the Swiss licenciate as equivalent to a master's degree, though they state it is not the same.[34]
TheUniversity of Wales, Lampeter offers Licences in Latin and Greek. They are postgraduate diplomas – meaning that the student would normally have completed a (typically three-year) bachelor's degree course first – and can be completed in either two or three years.
TheCity and Guilds of London Institute Licentiateship is awarded to those who achieve a level 4 Professional Recognition Award.[35]Trinity College London formerly awarded licentiates, which were accredited at Level 6 of theRegulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).[36]The Landscape Institute offers licentiate membership to those who have completed a bachelor's degree and a postgraduate diploma in the field of landscape architecture.
TheCollege of Teachers also offers a licentiateship. This program, which is offered at the degree level, is for individuals with a BEd (three-year program) who wishes to do in-service advanced training in education or a related learning field. Also in education, Trinity College London awards theLicentiate Diploma in TESOL, commonly referred to as the Dip TESOL, an advanced teaching qualification inESL at Level 7 of the NQF.[37]
TheInstitute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, based inCanterbury,Kent, has as its highest qualification (above Certificate, Higher Certificate and Diploma levels) the Licentiateship of the institute, awarded following both a course of study including thesis and dissertation and professional practice.[38]
In music, a licentiate is the qualification which follows the diploma and is offered by Trinity College London (LTCL),Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) andLondon College of Music (LLCM); candidates may choose to specialize in performance or teaching, depending on the examination board.
ALicenciatura is awarded to students after five years of study. They are required to write a thesis and/or do an internship and/or develop a research project in order to graduate.
In Canada, anyone who completes the Level III Heraldic Proficiency Courses is granted the right to use the post-nominal of LRHSC (Licentiate of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada). This is awarded by theRoyal Heraldry Society of Canada.
A medical graduate must obtain the qualification ofLicentiate of the Medical Council of Canada from theMedical Council of Canada before they are eligible to apply for licensure in the province or territory concerned.
TheseConjoint diplomas were latterly awarded by theUnited Examining Board. The first two, and latterly the first three, were granted together in England, and the last three in Scotland, until 1999, after which approval to hold the examinations was withdrawn. The qualifications are still registrable with theGeneral Medical Council, and allow the bearer to practice medicine in the United Kingdom, and used to be recognised by some state medical boards in the United States.
TheLicentiate of Apothecaries' Hall (LAH) was a similar qualifying medical diploma awarded externally in Dublin until recognition was lost in 1968.
These licentiate diplomas were awarded by professional bodies, and were accepted by the General Medical Council for registration as a medical practitioner, but were not university degrees and were regarded as being at a slightly lower level than bachelor's degrees in medicine.
In Finland, licensed medical practitioners (physicians and surgeons) are either licentiates or doctorates, where the Licentiate of Medicine is the minimum qualification. In terms of degree coursework, the licentiate is above master's but below a doctorate. In the medical field, there is no master's degree, and the bachelor's degree qualifies only for practical training to become a licentiate. Qualified licentiates may continue studies to become a Doctor of Medicine if they want to work in research.
Medical graduates from schools outside of Hong Kong must obtain a medical license directly form the Medical Council of Hong Kong before they are able to register to practice medicine in Hong Kong. The qualification is known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (LMCHK).[20] The LMCHK is awarded after such doctors undergo careful vetting, passing theHKMLE exam, and completing a period of assessment.[39] The licentiate doctors are represented by an independent, non-profit professional body, known as theLicentiate Society.
In Dublin, students at the School of Medicine of theRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland still qualify with licentiate diplomas from the two Irish Royal Colleges, coupled with a Licence in Midwifery from each, although in the past few years they have also been awarded the three medical bachelor's degrees of theNational University of Ireland:
Certain maternity hospitals in Dublin used to award a Licentiate in Midwifery or LM diploma, not to midwives but to qualified medical practitioners who had been examined there after a three-month residential appointment. TheRotunda Hospital was the most recent to do so.
Licentiate (Pontifical Degree) is the second cycle of ecclesiastical academic degrees conferred by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties under the authority of theHoly See. Positioned between the Baccalaureate and Doctorate, the Licentiate serves both academic and canonical functions within theRoman Catholic Church, preparing graduates for teaching and specialized roles inbiblical studies,theology,canon law, andphilosophy. The typical duration of coursework for a licentiate degree is three to four years, culminating in the completion of a thesis.[40]
TheLicentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) are available from manyPontifical universities andPontifical faculties of theology, possessing the authority to grant Pontifical degrees. This compares with, for example in North American institutions, the four-year program for a B.A. at many universities, a two-year program for anMA, and the writing and successful defense of the doctoral dissertation for thePhD,Th.D., orSTD (an additional two to three years).
The degree ofLicentiate of Canon Law (JCL) is similarly awarded at Pontifical universities and faculties. Other qualifications for canon law include an inter-denominationalLLM program at least one university (Cardiff), though this degree would not have canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Faculty of the History and the Cultural Patrimony of the Church at theGregorian University also awards the Licentiate in the History of the Church, and the Licentiate in the Cultural Patrimony of the Church.[41]
In 2003, theEuropean Union organized the Bologna Convention for theEuropean Higher Education Area under theLisbon Recognition Convention, more commonly known as theBologna Process, in order to create uniform standards across the European Union in university education. The resulting conclusions called for all European universities to change their degree programs to abachelor's degree and amaster's degree.
