The Law on Education, adopted by the Russian parliament in 1992, outlines several principles of state policy on education. Among them are the humanistic character of education and the priority of general human values, cultural and educational unity, accessibility of education for all citizens, secular education to be offered by state institutions, freedom and pluralism in education and democratic administration of education and institutional autonomy.
Four types of institutions exist in Russia at the present time:
- Universities: responsible for education and research in a variety of disciplines;
- Academies: responsible for education and research. They differ from universities only in that they restrict themselves to a single discipline;
- Institutes: multi-discipline oriented. They can be independent structural units, or part of a university or academy;
- Private institutions: present in increasing numbers. They offer degrees in non-engineering fields such as business, culture, sociology and religion.
Accreditation allows institutions to disengage from centralized authorities and provide a mechanism for quality control. Although the process is voluntary, it was made clear that accredited institutions would receive financial support for special projects and research.
However, due to continuing economic instability, as well as social and political unrest, the accreditation process, which is the responsibility of the State Committee for Higher Education, remains incomplete. Until this process has been completed, state institutions of higher education can be presumed to have accreditation. In addition, some municipal and non-state (private) institutions have already been accredited. Such institutions should be able to provide copies of their certificates of accreditation.
Curricular reforms were announced as early as 1987 and focused on the need to improve the quality of academic programs and teaching methods. Restructuring of first degree programs had been approved even before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Currently, there is a new degree structure in place, which follows a three-tier pattern and uses U.S./British nomenclature. The attestat o srednem (polnom) obshchem obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Complete General Education) and the successful passing of university-matriculation exams are required for admission to all levels.
Level I
Programs at this level are organized into two stages:
Stage 1 consists of two years of course work, upon completion of which students are awarded a certificate of incomplete higher education.
Stage 2 is devoted entirely to one to two years of intensive professional training. Upon completion, students are awarded a diploma o nepolnom visshem obrazovanii (diploma of incomplete higher education).
These are not distinct programs but rather credentials awarded upon partial completion of study leading to a diploma of higher education, such as a bakalavr or specialist. Students with a Level I certificate or diploma have not completed their higher education. However, they can seek employment in jobs that require some higher education, but not a degree.
Level II
Bakalavr (Bachelor): Awarded upon completion of four-year programs in the humanities, economics and natural sciences, as well as some practical professional training. It represents the completion of basic academic education.
Level III
There are two options after the second level magistr and specialist. Both degrees allow access to doctoral study.
Magistr (Master): This is an academic degree designed for students who wish to pursue a career in academia and research. The length of study is at least two years after the bakalavr. The field of study must be the same as for the bakalavr. (Because most students continue after the bakalavr at the same institution, they may not receive the actual bakalavr diploma).
Specialist: This is a professional training program designed for students who choose to pursue the practical applications of their specialization. The degree can be earned in one of two ways:
- Upon completion of at least 1.5 years of study after the bakalavr. (Students who earn the diploma of specialist this way often do not get their actual bakalavr diploma.)
- Upon completion of four to six years of study after the attestat o srednem polnom obshchem obrazovanii (this is the unchanged Soviet diploma of specialist). The degree grants professional qualification in engineering, teaching, economics, etc.
Bakalavr, magistr, and specialist diplomas are awarded by the State Attestation Commission.
The Law on Education does not address any changes to the Soviet model of graduate education (the kandidat nauk [Candidate of Science] and doktor nauk [Doctor of Science]).
A database of higher education institutions in Russia can be found at the following Web site: www.informika.ru/ [1] (choose the databases and references option). Information provided for the institutions includes address, fields of study offered and legal status (state, private, accredited, etc.).