Are you considering studying in Canada? You’re not the only one. Canada receives thousands of international students annually. This isn’t surprising given the quality and cost of its tertiary education. But aspiring students have some questions about the educational system. One of the common questions is, are Canadian degrees recognized in the US?
Yes, Canadian degrees are recognized in the US and other commonwealth countries. But that doesn’t mean both countries have similar educational systems. In fact, there are differences between the two, such as the duration, costs, acceptance rates, accreditation process, and language of learning.
Although there’s no general rule on the accreditation of Canadian universities in the US, there are usually special accreditation processes for specialized degrees such as medicine, engineering, law, etc. This article discusses the validity of Canadian degrees in the US and the difference between the educational systems in the two countries.
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Equivalence of Canadian and American Degrees
Institutions in the US and other Commonwealth states recognize Canadian degrees as equivalent to those issued in American universities. The same goes for employers and professional associations. But that doesn’t mean there’s any official system in place for determining this equivalence. It’s simply a matter of convention. The US Department of Education and the US Network for Educational Information don’t evaluate foreign degrees. Thus, there’s no central authority that decides which foreign degree should be recognized.
In recent years, Canada has become the ideal country for international students searching for quality tertiary education. This is because of the quality and the cost of education here compared to other commonwealth states. Even several American students choose to go to Canada for their university education. Unsurprisingly, the country has 530,540 international students with valid permits by the end of 2020.
Difference Between Canadian and American University Degrees
Even though Canadian degrees are equivalent to American degrees, there are few differences in the educational system in the two countries. These include:
1. Duration of Study
In America, students generally have to study for four years before earning their bachelor’s degree. But that’s not entirely the case in Canada. Some courses require four years, while some only take three years for students to earn their degrees and graduate from university.
The duration for graduate degrees also differs in Canada. Most American graduate degrees last for between a year and two, and students spend a substantial part of this time on coursework. Also, a Ph.D. program takes about five years or more in America.
However, graduate degrees in Canada take less time. For example, a Master’s degree usually takes a year, and the student will have to write a research paper or thesis. On the other hand, a Doctorate takes three years in most cases.
2. Cost of Acquiring a degree
The cost of studying in Canada and the US is also different. Students who choose to attend private universities in the US pay an average of $32,100. It’s even costlier for Ivy League universities. Studying in state universities outside your state also costs about $25,620 on average annually.
But for international students in Canada, the cost is far less. The average tuition fee is $22,500. However, international students must consider other costs such as living expenses, traveling, and miscellaneous fees. Even with that, higher education is still cheaper in Canada.
Also, you should note that the cost of tuition in Canada depends on what you’re studying. For example, courses in the medical and engineering field usually cost more.
3. Acceptance Rates
Canada is pro-immigration, and this extends to its universities too. The government encourages international students to apply every year, and the acceptance rates of the institutions here are better. Canadian universities accept more applicants annually than their US counterparts. For instance, top colleges in the US accept 23% of applicants compared to top Canadian universities that accept up to 61%.
The acceptance rate of Canadian universities isn’t because they lower the quality of their admission process. Instead, it’s a result of the class expansion to make more room for students. The high acceptance results are due to the government incentives such as funding universities based on the number of students that enroll.
4. Accreditation Process for Universities
In Canada, it’s the provincial governments that accredit universities within their province. Each province has its quality assurance standards that a university must meet before they’re authorized. Getting a regional charter is quite rigorous. Institutions of higher learning in Canada also belong to the nationwide organizations such as Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and Universities Canada.
However, federal government-approved private educational associations are responsible for accrediting American universities. This enables American universities to have a national accreditation process. Regardless of which authority is in charge of the accreditation, as long as the Canadian university is accredited, the decree issued by such a university is valid and recognized in the US.
5. Language of Learning
English is the official language of the US, and that’s the language of learning across the country. This isn’t the case for Canada, where there are two official languages – French and English. Few universities in the country offer degree programs in English and French. This allows students to learn a new language while getting their degree.
Can You Get Employment in the US with a Canadian Degree?
It’s possible to get a job in America using a Canadian degree. US employers recognize degrees from Canadian universities and consider them equivalent to those obtained in American universities. So, as long as you have the proper work authorization, you can use a Canadian degree to work in the US.
In Conclusion
Canadian degrees are equivalent to American degrees. Employers, institutions, and professional organizations in the US and other commonwealth countries recognize Canadian degrees. Thus, international students have nothing to worry about when studying in Canada. In fact, the difference between the tertiary education system in both countries makes Canadian universities a better choice for most international students.