Credentials

© Copyright, IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED)

Panama - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALSTypes of higher education institutions:Universidad (University)

Instituto Superior (Higher Institute)

Centro de Estudios Superiores (Higher Studies Centre)

School leaving and higher education credentials:Bachiller

Maestro a Nivel Superior

Técnico Superior

Licenciatura

Maestría

Doctorado

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEMPre-higher education:Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 4Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system: Pre-PrimaryAge level from: 4PrimaryType of school providing this education: Primary SchoolLength of program in years: 6 Age level from: 6 to: 12Lower SecondaryLength of program in years: 3 Age level from: 12 to: 15Upper SecondaryLength of program in years: 3 Age level from: 16 to: 18Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bachiller

School education:Compulsory education lasts for eleven years and includes the pre-primary, primary and pre-secondary cycles. Primary education lasts for six years. Secondary education is divided into two cycles. The first cycle covers three years of general education. The second consists of three years of more specialized study and leads to the Diploma de Bachiller.

Higher education:Higher education is mainly provided by universities, higher schools and institutes. There are both public and private universities. Higher education is directed by the Ministry of Education but controlled by the University of Panama by law. The Consejo de Rectores de Panama coordinates some universities.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:Decree: Decreto 50 Year: 1999

Decree: Ley 16 Year: 1963



Academic year: Classes from: Apr to: DecLong vacation from: Jan to: Mar

Languages of instruction: Spanish

Stages of studies:Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level: Técnico:Higher technical and vocational studies are offered in Higher Studies Centres and institutes. They offer two to three-year courses leading to the professional qualification of Técnico. The Universidad Tecnológica confers a title of Técnico after three years' study.

University level studies: University level first stage: Licenciatura:The Licenciatura is generally conferred after studies lasting between four and five years. Professional titles are conferred in several fields, generally after five years (three in Nursing and six in Medicine).University level second stage: Maestría:The Maestría is conferred after one to two years' further study beyond the Licenciatura. Students must submit a thesis or other requirement.University level third stage: Doctorado:

Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachersPrimary school teachers are trained at Escuelas Normales (teacher training colleges). Students enter the course after completing the first cycle of secondary education. The three-year course leads to the Bachiller Pedagógico which is at the level of the Bachillerato. Then, they must study another year to obtain the Maestro a Nivel Superior. They can also receive further training at universities.Training of secondary school teachersSecondary school teachers are trained at the university where students obtain a Licenciatura after four to five years and a teaching qualification - Título de Profesor - generally after one further year.

Non-traditional studies: Distance higher educationDistance education is offered by the Universidad Interamericana de Educación a Distancia (UNIEDPA) and the Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de Panamá (UNADP).Lifelong higher educationAdult education is offered at Institutes and Universities.Other forms of non-formal higher educationSpecial short courses (one to three years) leading to a Diploma or the title of Técnico are offered at the Instituto Nacional de Formación Profesional (INAFORP).

NATIONAL BODIESAdministration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministerio de Educación (Ministry of Education)

Head: Miguel Ángel Cañizales, MinisterApartado postal 0816-04049Panama 3PanamaTel: +507 3176905Fax: +507 3176171/ 3176021WWW: http://www.meduca.gob.pa/

Consejo de Rectores de Panamá (Council of Rectors of Panama)Head: Salvado A. Rodríguez G., PresidentAlbrook, Ancón, Edificio Nº 868PanamaPanamaTel: +507 3151601EMail: [email protected]: http://www.pa/consejo

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATIONAdmission to non university higher education studiesName of secondary school credential required: Bachiller

Admission to university-level studiesName of secondary school credential required: BachillerAlternatives to credentials: Certificado de Maestro de Nivel SuperiorEntrance exams required: Entrance examination for some state universities.

Foreign students admissionAdmission requirements: Foreign students must hold a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.Entry regulations: Foreign students must ask for information from Panamean consulates abroad.Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Spanish.

Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado

Head: Betty Ann de Catsambanis, Vice-ChancellorUniversidad de Panamá - Campus Dr Octavio Méndez Pereira, El CangrejoPanama Estafeta UniversitariaPanamaPanamaTel: +507 2644242Fax: +507 2643733EMail: [email protected]: http://www.up.ac.pa

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studiesName of agreement: Convention On the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Latin America and the CaribbeanYear of signature: 1974

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studiesTitle: Oportunidades de Estudio en las Instituciones de Educación Superior en PanamaPublisher: IFARHU/CIDI (Apd postal 6367, Panamá 5)

STUDENT LIFEMain student services at national levelUnidad de Relaciones Internacionales, Ministerio de Educación

Apartado 0816-04049Cardenas-CorozalPanama 3PanamaTel: +507 227-5989/ 227-5986

Student expenses and financial aidBodies providing information on student financial aid: Centro de Información y Documentación, Instituto para la Formación y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Humanos (IFARHU/CIDI)

Apartado 0816-01955Vía España y calle Colombia, Edificio Torre IFARHUPanamá 5Panama

Tel: +507 2696666Fax: +507 2636101EMail: [email protected]

Deals with: GrantsPublications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2005-2006Publisher: UNESCOYear of publication: 2005

GRADING SYSTEMUsual grading system in secondary schoolFull Description: 1-5Highest on scale: 5Pass/fail level: 3Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutionsFull Description: 0-100 points as follows: 100-91 points=A (outstanding); 90-81 points=B (good); 80-71 points=C (regular); 70-61points=D (minimum to pass); 60-0=F (failure).Highest on scale: 100Pass/fail level: 61Lowest on scale: 0

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006Source: IAU from Ministry of Education, Panama, 2006

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Credentials