Degree Levels
Belgium
USA
Les Bacheliers
short-term degree
1e cycle (first cycle)
concerns: bacheliers professionnalisants, bacheliers de transition, brevet d'enseignement supérieure
3-4 blocs annuels (annual blocks)
180-240 credits
Organized by Hautes Écoles and
Écoles supérieures des Arts
These are like universités, but not always offering master or doctorat studies
Les Masters
Long-term degree
2e cycle (second cycle)
after completion of the 1e cycle, these are the
last years of the master
concerns: masters, masters de spécialisation
4-5 blocs annuels (annual blocks)
240-300 credits
Organized by by Universités, Hautes Écoles, Écoles supérieures des Arts, the École Royale Militaire
Les Doctorats
long-term degree
3e cycle (third cycle)
after completion of the 1e and 2e cycles,
these years complete the doctoral degree
60 credits for certificat de formation à la recherche
(certification of research education)
180 credits for the doctoral thesis
Undergraduate Education
Associate's Degree
Usually at a community college
Abbreviation:
AS - Associate's of Science
AAS - Associate of Applied Science
AA - Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
4-year program
Usually at 4-year colleges,
and universities
Abbreviations
BA - Bachelor of Arts
BS - Bachelor of Science
Graduate Education
2-year program
Master's Degree
1-3 years of study
Usually requires a thesis
Abbreviations
(most common)
Offered by a university
MA - Master of Arts
MS - Master of Science
MBA - Master of Business Administration
Doctoral/Doctorate Degree
Qualified upon completion of a Bachelor's degree
(Usually) qualified upon completion of a Master's degree
3-5 years of study
Requires a thesis or dissertation
Abbreviations
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
EdD - Doctor of Education
DBA - Doctor of Business Administration