Understanding Post-Secondary Education: A Comprehensive Guide
Education systems vary across countries, leading to potential confusion when comparing them. The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) provides a framework for understanding these differences. This article explores the definitions of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education, focusing on the meaning and scope of post-secondary education.
Defining Primary and Secondary Education
Before diving into post-secondary education, it's crucial to understand the preceding stages:
- Primary Education: This is the initial stage of formal education, following pre-school or kindergarten. Also known as elementary education, it typically covers the first six years of schooling, generally for children aged 5 to 11. Primary education corresponds to ISCED Level 1 and is compulsory in most countries.
- Secondary Education: This stage follows primary education and is often divided into lower and upper levels. Lower secondary education (ISCED Level 2), or middle school, generally occurs between ages 11 and 14. Upper secondary education (ISCED Level 3), also known as high school, typically occurs between ages 14 and 18. While secondary education is compulsory in many countries until age 16, this isn't a global standard. In the United States, lower secondary education often encompasses grades 7 through 9, while upper secondary education includes grades 10 through 12. Completion of upper secondary education often results in a high school diploma.
What is Post-Secondary Education? Meaning and Definition
Post-secondary education, also known as tertiary education or higher education, is the educational level that follows the completion of secondary education. It is an optional educational path for those who have completed their high school or GED requirements. It is usually provided by universities, colleges, academies, seminaries, and institutes of technology.
The goal of a post-secondary education program is to further train students in specialized skills, preparing them for more advanced career and life opportunities. Post-secondary education programs generally (but not always) culminate in a degree or other form of certification, verifying that the student has completed all associated requirements and is ready to graduate from the program. Post-high school education options that do not award degrees are usually called continuing education and may include workshops, seminars, and other supplemental opportunities. That said, both of the terms “continuing education” and “post-secondary education” may also be used to describe any form of education available after secondary education.
Post-secondary education includes education at colleges, universities, or trade schools and typically occurs after the age of 18, though students in some countries may start a little younger. ISCED Levels 4 through 8 correspond to different levels of post-secondary education.
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- ISCED level 4 - Post-secondary non-tertiary education and tertiary education (such as pre-university diploma programs, vocational training, advanced certificates)
- ISCED level 5 - Short-cycle tertiary education (including community college education, associate degree, technician or advanced/higher vocational training, higher technical education, professional training college)
- ISCED level 6 - Bachelor’s or equivalent level
- ISCED level 7 - Master’s or equivalent level
- ISCED level 8 - Doctoral or equivalent level
Common post-secondary degrees include bachelor's, master's, education specialist, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and higher professional degrees like dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacology, and veterinary medicine.
Types of Post-Secondary Education Options
While "post-secondary education" is often associated with college, high school graduates have numerous options for structured learning:
- Vocational Schools: Vocational schools, also known as trade schools or technical schools, offer specialized education to prepare students for specific lines of work. Compared to a college education, which is usually more academic-focused, vocational programs tend to be more hands-on, experience-oriented, and tailored toward practical career knowledge. Additionally, by eliminating many of the general education and liberal arts requirements found in colleges, vocational schools may offer a more direct route into the job market. This is the result of job-specific training opportunities and shorter completion times. Vocational schools typically funnel students directly into careers in skilled trades. Examples of vocational courses include healthcare and home caregiving, plumbing, electrical services, hairstyling, carpentry, computer network management, paralegal studies, massage therapy, and more.
- Community Colleges: Community colleges are shorter-duration alternatives to the traditional four-year university experience. Most community colleges allow students to earn an associate degree over the course of two years, focusing primarily on the general education classes required by accredited universities. They sometimes also offer non-degree certification and vocational training. Most community colleges are open admission, meaning that the admission process is non-exclusive, and not dependent on any academic factors other than a high school diploma or equivalent certification. After earning their associate degree through the community college, students may either enter the job market with increased training and certification or choose to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a specific major and earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Colleges and Universities: Colleges and universities are generally what first come to mind when people think of post-secondary education. These higher-education institutes offer bachelor degree (four-year) programs. Additionally, students may choose to continue their education past the BA/BS level; colleges and universities tend to offer post-graduate programs, allowing dedicated individuals to earn master’s degrees or doctorates. Completing a four-year college program may make some graduates more appealing to job interviewers, and there are a number of companies that won’t even consider applicants unless they have at least a bachelor degree. On the other hand, colleges and universities are usually the most-expensive post-secondary education options - averaging approximately $28,000 in tuition annually. However, many different scholarship and grant programs exist to help offset some of these costs; prospective students should research these possibilities while considering post-secondary options.
- Gap Year and Immersive Learning Programs: Many post-secondary students want to take the time to travel, see the world, and enjoy the freedom that comes from having completed their high school education. At the same time, many feel the desire to use this time to better themselves, learn valuable leadership skills, and give something back. For these students, immersive learning programs abroad may be the answer they’re looking for. Gap years and travel abroad programs offer experiential learning, hands-on training, and real-life opportunities to help and connect with individuals around the world. Students often pursue these opportunities during a ‘gap year’ (either after high school and before college, or between college years).
Post-Secondary Education in Different Countries
The structure and terminology of post-secondary education can vary significantly across countries. Here's a glimpse into how it's defined and organized in a few different regions:
- Italy: Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 16 and divided into five stages: kindergarten, primary school, lower secondary school, upper secondary school, and university. Italy has a large network of public and state-affiliated universities offering higher education degrees. Italian universities are among the oldest in the world, with the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, being the oldest.
- United Kingdom: In England, "tertiary education" is synonymous with "higher education" (post-18 study). However, specialized further education colleges may call themselves "tertiary colleges," combining the functions of further education and sixth form colleges.
- Canada: Higher education includes provincial, territorial, Indigenous, and military systems. The goal is to offer every Canadian the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge for their potential.
- United States: The higher education system is decentralized, with each state regulating institutions. It includes private and public institutions, with enrollments ranging from small to very large.
- Nigeria: Tertiary education refers to post-secondary education at universities, monotechnics, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
- Hong Kong & Singapore: "Tertiary education" or "higher/Post-secondary Education" refers to any education beyond secondary education.
Historical Context of Higher Education
The roots of higher education can be traced back centuries:
- 425 CE: The Byzantine emperor Theodosius II established the Pandidakterion to train public servants.
- 7th-8th Centuries: Cathedral schools emerged in Western Europe, and Madrasahs were founded in the Muslim empire.
- University of al-Qarawiyyin: Founded in Fez, Morocco, it's considered the oldest continually operating higher education institution by UNESCO and Guinness World Records.
Since World War II, many countries have seen increased participation in higher education.
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The Importance of Post-Secondary Education
Higher education is important to national economies as an industry and as a source of trained personnel. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) commits countries to providing lifelong learning opportunities, including tertiary education. Graduates of tertiary education are likely to have different worldviews and moral values than non-graduates and are more likely to embrace cultural and ethnic diversity.
Addressing Digital Access Inequality
Several initiatives are underway to address digital access inequality and promote educational opportunities:
- Memphis: Accelerating digital access initiatives by partnering with local organizations to invest in internet connections, hotspots, laptops, and digital literacy programs to connect homes to high-speed internet.
- Houston: Scaling technical assistance for minority business enterprises (MBEs), providing loan guarantees, and establishing a training hub for STEM and innovation programs.
- New Orleans: Scaling the Black Business Works Fund, subsidizing internships and apprenticeships, and funding the Student Freedom Initiative.
- Charlotte: Offering in-kind FTEs to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (CRBA) to convene corporate partners, assess their MBE spend, develop pipeline to increase MBE spend to 5-10%+.
- Birmingham: Funding startups, providing access to investor networks, and funding scholarships and coaches to increase college retention and graduation rates.
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