Scientific titles. Academic degrees and titles: who is who. How is the competition for the vacant position of a university teacher

This article is rather informative in nature, and will be useful to many students and teachers who rightly call themselves comprehensively developed personalities. On the agenda is a simple question, what is the difference between an academic degree and an academic title.

Someone will say that the difference is fundamental, but on the part of the teaching staff it is a fatal mistake not to know such elementary things.

Some terminology on the topic

So, academic degree And rank is the qualification of the teacher. It's like in the Navy: each officer has his own rank and, according to him, holds a certain position, receives wages with bonuses, and so on. In the field of pedagogy, everything is similar, only titles and degrees are called a little differently.

Accordingly, each teacher strives to extraordinary assignment degree or title, which will have a beneficial effect not only on his prospects for the future, but also on the family budget.

However, as in the Navy, it is impossible to get such privileges for beautiful eyes; it is required not only to confirm one's high qualifications, but also to perform mandatory work in writing.

To understand in more detail what's what, it's worth finding out what academic degrees and titles are in the Russian Federation, and only then discussing issues of privileges and rewards.

Types of academic titles

All academic titles, as well as the procedure for obtaining them, on the territory of the Russian Federation were approved back in 2002, and since then there have been no amendments or adjustments in legislative document was not entered.

So what are the options?

Assistant professor- This is the most common title in the university. Most often, lecturers are lecturers.

In addition, it can be researchers and other teachers of higher educational institutions, who were selected by the academic council of the faculty.

What does this mean?

A teacher can hold the position of associate professor, but not correspond to this title. This appointment responsibility is assumed by senior management, based on the ability and competence of the applicant.

For a teacher, this is a good start, because, holding the position of associate professor, you can soon get this academic title.

How is this possible?

To improve your qualifications and confer such an honorary title, you need:

Work as an assistant professor for at least a year;

It is obligatory to have a scientific and pedagogical experience of at least 5 years;

Professor is an educator high level competence with in-depth knowledge in a particular field of science or art.

It is also possible to get this title, but this requires:

Be a scientific and pedagogical worker;

teaching at universities;

Have your own scientific achievements;

Be an employee state academies sciences according to official attestation documents.

In general, you need to have not only teaching experience in your work, but also a “head on your shoulders” - to make discoveries, introduce know-how, publish reference literature And didactic material, as well as rapidly progressing in the studied field of education.

So it’s not easy to get such an honorary title, but it’s easy to lose.

In conclusion, we can add that both academic titles of "Associate Professor" or "Professor" must be supported by an official document without fail.

If the teacher simply holds the position of associate professor or professor, then he does not have the appropriate documentation; moreover, he can be shifted to another position when a certified professor or associate professor is employed.

Among academic titles also known corresponding member And full member of the Academy of Sciences.

We will not discuss these titles in detail, since in student life they don't meet that often.

Types of academic degrees and their features

With academic degrees, the situation is much simpler, since there are only two of them, and they are well known to everyone - Ph.D(high) and PhD(primary degree).

All interested teachers can receive one of the degrees, but in this case it is required to additionally defend a dissertation.

In domestic pedagogy, several more degrees appeared, following the example of Western colleagues.

This is a bachelor's, master's and Ph.D., but they refer more to students than to the highest teaching staff.

Bachelor you can become after graduating from a technical school or a vocational school, as well as after a university, when there was simply not enough strength for a master's degree and an extra two years of study. It is the lowest of all existing academic degrees.

master differs from the bachelor's degree by two additional years of study. The task of the student is to continue his studies after the bachelor's degree, and, based on the results, successfully defend the thesis project, pass all state exams.

"Ph.D"- this is generally a European degree, which is more popular abroad. But for last years she got along well in domestic pedagogy, and is the next step after the master's degree.

What is the best choice?

As practice shows, getting an academic degree is much more difficult, so the vast majority of teachers make their choice in favor of an academic title.

To understand all the difficulties and pitfalls, it is important to always remember the following characteristics:

1. If the applicant brilliantly completed and defended his dissertation, then he is awarded a degree; and if he has an acceptable length of service, knowledge and position in teaching practice, then he should be awarded an academic title.

2. A certificate of a professor or associate professor confirms an academic title, while a diploma of a doctor or candidate of science confirms an academic degree.

3. Getting a degree is harder.

And now everything is the same, but in an accessible language! So, if you work at a university as a teacher, then you definitely have to "grow".

To do this, you need to get an academic degree and an academic title. I’ll clarify right away that this is not a matter of a single day or even a month, but if desired, it is quite achievable.

Of course, the first five years of your pedagogy should be devoted to gaining experience, but at this time it is recommended to take Active participation V scientific developments, participate in conferences and study your dissertation in depth.

Then it all depends on the abilities and ambitions, but it’s worth clarifying right away: an academic degree is a colossal work in terms of intellectual activity, and an academic title is, rather, gratitude for the years worked and great luck.

Speaking the language of sailors, then military rank they give for length of service, and an extraordinary title (in our case, an academic degree) is received by those who unscheduled distinguished themselves.

As practice shows, the majority of domestic teachers choose academic titles and strive to write a dissertation, and about scientific papers and do not think.

Here, to each his own: it's up to the teacher to decide! In any case, to Degree holders are treated more respectfully, and titles are not always paid attention to.

Honorary degree: what is it, and to whom is it awarded?

To get a degree without much hassle, there is another option - an "honorary degree" of a doctor of science.

It is issued by academies, higher education institutions or the Ministry of Education without completing a course of study and without taking into account mandatory requirements.

But what's the catch?

The fact is that the applicant for an honorary degree must greatly distinguish himself, or achieve unrealistic success in his specialty.

Again, when compared with maritime theme, then this is a presentation to an extraordinary title, or an award.

Such teachers are always in good standing, and many universities in the world are ready to provide them with work at any time.

Having an honorary diploma is the greatest success in life, which allows you to maximize yourself in the chosen direction of knowledge.

It is worth mentioning right away that such a diploma is not issued in medicine; and an honorary degree can be both appointed and removed in the future.

In any case, a scientific degree confirms the scientific qualification and competence of its holder, as well as his ability to successfully scientific activity.

Academic degrees and titles of non-state standard

There is one more detail that must be known when selecting the teaching staff.

The point is that in modern system education, many non-state educational institutions have appeared and are successfully operating.

These are institutes, academies, and universities; in which the management prefers to finally separate from the Higher Attestation Commission.

Such self-proclaimed commissions independently award academic titles and degrees, and it can be not only a candidate of science, but also a doctor of science.

Moreover, after completing the illegal defense of a dissertation (it is possible that it was fake), the newly minted “doctor or candidate of science” receives a diploma with signatures and seals.

From a legal point of view, such a document is not valid, but these teachers can dishonestly occupy prestigious and highly paid positions, be respected and be an example to follow in public universities.

That is why in this issue it is important to be vigilant, and when hiring, be able to recognize a legitimate document from a “linden” in a timely manner.

The Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, approved as early as January 30, 2002, states that “only those diplomas that were issued by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation or authorized state bodies have legal force as documents on the award of academic degrees.”

Conclusion: On this note, I end my publication, but I advise everyone not to get lost and be able to correctly distinguish a degree from a title. For some this is very important.

Now you know about what is the difference between an academic degree and an academic degree.

Degrees

Degrees awarded in different countries vary significantly in terms of titles, qualification requirements, award and/or approval procedures.

To obtain the degree of candidate or doctor of science, it is necessary to prepare a dissertation and defend it at a meeting of the dissertation council established at a university, research institute or other scientific institution. To defend a dissertation for the degree of Doctor, it is currently necessary to have a PhD degree, the defense of a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Science by persons who do not have a candidate degree, in accordance with the current "Regulations on the procedure for awarding academic degrees", is not provided. It should be noted that in this case, the correspondence or affinity of the branches of science and specialties previously obtained (consecutively) of higher education, the degree of candidate of science and the degree of doctor of science is actually not regulated in any way, except for cases of competition for scientific degrees in medical and veterinary sciences, which are possible only if applicant for higher medical (veterinary) education. In fact, in practice, cases of obtaining a higher degree in a branch of science and a specialty unrelated to an existing one are recognized as quite acceptable and are not limited in any way by the Higher Attestation Commission: for example, a candidate of economic sciences by engineers (mathematicians, chemists), a doctorate in economic sciences by candidates, for example, technical and physical mathematical sciences, etc. .

In parallel, there are similar degrees of Doctor of Laws, Theology, etc., awarded by an accredited institution of higher education. The degrees of Doctor of Laws (DL), Medicine (DM), Business Administration (DBA), etc., are considered in many countries as part of a professional rather than an academic/research doctoral system, i.e. it is assumed that the holder of such a degree is usually engaged in practice, not science. Obtaining such degrees also does not require self-study. scientific research, so a professional doctorate is not usually considered a degree. The assignment of a degree to a professional or research doctorate depends on the country and even on the specific university; Thus, in the USA and Canada, the degree of Doctor of Medicine is professional, and in Great Britain, Ireland and many countries of the British Commonwealth - research. A number of universities in the UK (including Oxford and Cambridge) even include the degree of doctor of medicine in the higher doctorate (approximate analogue of the doctor of science in Russia), requiring a significant contribution to medical science.

Academic titles

In Russia, academic titles are currently divided into the titles of associate professor (or professor) by specialty And by department. Since 2011, academic titles both in the department and in the specialty have been awarded by orders of the Minister of Education and Science on the proposal of the Higher Attestation Commission. Qualification requirements for applicants for academic titles in the department and in the specialty are somewhat different, for example, to be nominated for the academic title of a professor in the department, you must be the author (co-author) of textbooks or teaching aids, which is not required for the title of professor in the specialty. But a professor in his specialty needs more persons who defended candidate dissertations under his supervision: for a professor in a department - as a rule, at least two, for a professor in a specialty - as a rule, at least five.

In addition, the requirements differ within each category (professor in the department, associate professor in the department, professor in the specialty, associate professor in the specialty). So, it is allowed to assign the academic title of professor in the department to persons with the degree of Candidate of Sciences, and associate professor - to persons who do not have a degree, but the requirements for them are much stricter than for applicants with the degree of Doctor and Candidate of Sciences, respectively. Special Requirements are presented to applicants for an academic title who are workers of culture and art and have the appropriate honorary titles(People's Artist, Honored Artist, etc.), as well as employees physical education and sports, having the title of Honored Coach. In addition, it is allowed to award the academic title of professor in the department to major specialists who have received international or Russian recognition in the relevant field of knowledge.

According to the system in force in Russia and Belarus, in order to obtain the academic title of professor, it is not necessary to have the academic title of associate professor.

Previous academic degrees and titles

The academic title of senior researcher is currently not awarded in the Russian Federation, it is equated to the title of associate professor in the specialty. Previously (and currently in Ukraine and some other post-Soviet states), the title of senior researcher was awarded to employees of research institutes, and the qualification requirements for applicants for this title did not include teaching work in universities, in contrast to the title of assistant professor.

Until the 1950s in the USSR there was an academic title "senior laboratory assistant".

Before the revolution, in the scientific and educational system of Russia there were academic degrees of a real student, a candidate (more precisely, a university candidate), a master's degree and a doctorate, the academic titles of an adjunct, a private docent, an assistant professor, an adjunct professor, an extraordinary professor, an ordinary professor, an honored professor. This entire hierarchy was completely abolished in 1918 (although some of the listed degrees and titles were abolished in the 19th century). Degrees in Russian Empire gave the right to receive ranks of a certain class (see Table of Ranks).

Position of bachelor's and master's degrees in Russia

Prior to the implementation of the Bologna recommendations, bachelor's and master's degrees in Russia do not refer to academic degrees, but to qualifications (degrees) of graduates of educational institutions of higher education. vocational education.

Nomenclature of academic degrees

Depending on the specialty in which the dissertation is defended, the applicant is awarded one of the academic degrees.

Honorary Degree

The honorary degree of doctor of science (Honor Doctor or Honor degree or Doctor honoris causa) is issued by universities, academies or the Ministry of Education without taking a course of study and without taking into account the mandatory requirements (for publications, defense, etc.), but who have achieved great success in business and who gained fame in any field of knowledge (artists, jurisprudence, religious figures, businessmen, writers and poets, artists, etc.). Such people are involved in teaching and lecturing in best universities many countries of the world. An honorary doctorate degree is not awarded in medicine.

An honorary degree can be awarded and withdrawn.

Non-governmental organizations

Religious organizations can confer PhD (doctor) degrees in theology (or theology), professors and associate professors, etc. Other non-state organizations can also confer various academic degrees and titles, up to and including academician (see Non-State Academies). However, all these degrees and titles are not legally such in Russia and do not give their holders the rights provided for by laws. Russian Federation.

Contemporary discussions

A discussion is currently underway regarding the possibility of transferring the scientific and qualification powers of the VAK to the academic councils of universities and research institutes (including non-state ones), as is done in many Western countries. Opponents of such a transfer express an opinion about the inevitable devaluation of the system of academic degrees and titles as a result of the loss of state control over the attestation of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel.

Notes

Degrees

Degrees awarded in different countries vary significantly in terms of titles, qualification requirements, award and/or approval procedures.

In parallel, there are similar degrees of Doctor of Laws, Theology, etc., awarded by an accredited institution of higher education. The degrees of Doctor of Laws (DL), Medicine (DM), Business Administration (DBA), etc., are considered in many countries as part of a professional rather than an academic/research doctoral system, i.e. it is assumed that the holder of such a degree is usually engaged in practice, not science. These degrees also do not require independent research, so a professional doctorate is not usually considered a degree. The assignment of a degree to a professional or research doctorate depends on the country and even on the specific university; Thus, in the USA and Canada, the degree of Doctor of Medicine is professional, and in Great Britain, Ireland and many countries of the British Commonwealth - research. A number of universities in the UK (including Oxford and Cambridge) even include the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the higher doctorate (the approximate equivalent of a Doctor of Science in Russia), requiring a significant contribution to medical science.

Academic titles

In Russia, academic titles are currently divided into the titles of associate professor (or professor) by specialty And by department. Since 2011, academic titles both in the department and in the specialty have been awarded by orders of the Minister of Education and Science on the proposal of the Higher Attestation Commission. Qualification requirements for applicants for academic titles in the department and in the specialty are somewhat different, for example, to be nominated for the academic title of professor in the department, you must be the author (co-author) of textbooks or study guides, which is not required for the title of professor in the specialty. But a professor in the specialty needs a larger number of people who defended candidate dissertations under his supervision: for a professor in a department - as a rule, at least two, for a professor in a specialty - as a rule, at least five.

In addition, the requirements differ within each category (professor in the department, associate professor in the department, professor in the specialty, associate professor in the specialty). So, it is allowed to assign the academic title of professor in the department to persons with the degree of Candidate of Sciences, and associate professor - to persons who do not have a degree, but the requirements for them are much stricter than for applicants with the degree of Doctor and Candidate of Sciences, respectively. Special requirements are imposed on applicants for an academic title who are workers of culture and art and have the appropriate honorary titles (People's Artist, Honored Artist, etc.), as well as workers of physical culture and sports who have the title of Honored Coach. In addition, it is allowed to award the academic title of professor in the department to major specialists who have received international or Russian recognition in the relevant field of knowledge.

According to the system in force in Russia and Belarus, in order to obtain the academic title of professor, it is not necessary to have the academic title of associate professor.

Previous academic degrees and titles

Until the 1950s in the USSR there was an academic title "senior laboratory assistant".

Before the revolution, in the scientific and educational system of Russia there were academic degrees of a real student, a candidate (more precisely, a university candidate), a master's degree and a doctorate, the academic titles of an adjunct, a private docent, an assistant professor, an adjunct professor, an extraordinary professor, an ordinary professor, an honored professor. This entire hierarchy was completely abolished in 1918 (although some of the listed degrees and titles were abolished in the 19th century). Academic degrees in the Russian Empire gave the right to receive ranks of a certain class (see Table of Ranks).

Position of bachelor's and master's degrees in Russia

Nomenclature of academic degrees

Depending on the specialty in which the dissertation is defended, the applicant is awarded one of the academic degrees.

Honorary Degree

The honorary degree of doctor of science (Honor Doctor or Honor degree or Doctor honoris causa) is issued by universities, academies or the Ministry of Education without taking a course of study and without taking into account the mandatory requirements (for publications, defense, etc.), but who have achieved great success in business and who gained fame in any field of knowledge (artists, jurisprudence, religious figures, businessmen, writers and poets, artists, etc.). Such people are involved in teaching activities and give lectures in the best universities in many countries of the world. An honorary doctorate degree is not awarded in medicine.

An honorary degree can be awarded and withdrawn.

Non-governmental organizations

Contemporary discussions

Currently, there is a discussion about the possibility of transferring the scientific and qualification powers of the VAK to the academic councils of universities and research institutes (including non-state ones), as is done in many Western countries. Opponents of such a transfer express an opinion about the inevitable devaluation of the system of academic degrees and titles as a result of the loss of state control over the attestation of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel.

Notes

Related links

Website of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation
Baleevskikh L.S., Muranov A.I. Domestic history of the normative regulation of nomenclatures of specialties of scientific workers in relation to jurisprudence // Jurisprudence. - 2008. - No. 5. - S. 243-259.

Qualifications, degrees and titles in science and education
University graduates

From the standpoint of statistics, any citizen who works creatively in science has the right to be called a scientist. But do not forget another important truth: "Without a piece of paper you are a bug, but with a piece of paper you are a person." Especially in a society that occupies not the last place in the world in terms of formalism, bureaucracy. So, if you want to be considered a scientist, present a certificate stating that you are a scientist. Such certificates are diplomas and certificates, indicating the presence of an academic degree or title. So, in the beginning it is necessary to sort out these very degrees and titles, the presence of which is confirmed by documented scientific authorities authorized to do so.

In accordance with the legal framework for assessing the qualifications of scientists and the criteria for determining this assessment, provided by the state certification system, the following academic degrees and academic titles have been established in the Russian Federation for scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel of the highest qualification:

· the scientific degree of doctor of science in the field of science according to the nomenclature of specialties of scientists;

· Candidate of science degree in the field of science according to the nomenclature of specialties of scientists.

Academic degree PhD is awarded by the Higher Attestation Commission on the basis of a petition from the Dissertation Council, adopted based on the results of a public defense of a dissertation by an applicant with a PhD degree, taking into account the conclusion of the relevant expert council The Higher Attestation Commission on the compliance of the submitted dissertation with the established criteria.

PhD degree awarded dissertation council based on the results of a public defense of a dissertation by an applicant with a higher professional education.

Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Science should be a scientific qualification work in which, on the basis of the research performed by the author, theoretical provisions have been developed, the totality of which can be qualified as a new major scientific achievement, or a major problem has been solved. scientific problem, which has an important socio-cultural or economic significance, or scientifically based technical, economic or technological solutions are presented, the implementation of which makes a significant contribution to the development of the country's economy and increase its defense capability.

Thesis for a degree Candidate of Sciences should be a scientific qualification work that contains a solution to a problem that is essential for the relevant branch of knowledge, or scientifically based technical, economic or technological developments that are essential for the economy or ensuring the country's defense capability.

According to Art. 22 federal law dated August 22, 1996 "On the highest and postgraduate education» The academic titles of professors and associate professors have been established in the Russian Federation.

The Unified Register of Academic Degrees and Academic Titles, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of January 30, 2002, established the following academic titles for scientific, technical and scientific workers:

· professors

· associate professor by department educational institution higher professional and additional professional education;

· professors by specialty according to the nomenclature of specialties of scientific workers;

· associate professor in the specialty according to the nomenclature of specialties of scientists.

According to paragraph 6 of the Regulations on the procedure for conferring academic titles, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 29, 2002, academic title of professor in the department can be awarded to doctors of science who, under an employment contract, fill the positions of a professor, head of a department, dean of a faculty, head of a branch or institute, vice-rector, rector of a university or advanced training institution, if they have published educational, methodological and scientific works, read a course of lectures at high professional level, as well as at the time of submission of attestation documents:

· have at least ten years of experience in scientific and pedagogical work, of which at least five years of pedagogical work in universities or institutions for advanced training;

have trained as academic advisors or academic advisors, usually at least two students who have been awarded academic degrees.

Academic title of professor in the specialty can be awarded to doctors of sciences who, under an employment contract, fill the positions of a leading researcher, chief researcher, head (head) of a research department (department, sector, laboratory), scientific secretary, deputy director, director in scientific organizations, scientific departments of universities or advanced training institutions and the relevant requirements of clause 11 of the Regulations.

One of the main conditions for conferring the academic title of professor is that the employee has the academic degree of Doctor of Science. However, the academic title of professor in the department can be awarded without defending a doctoral dissertation to candidates of science (as an exception), artists, specialists in physical culture and sports, major specialists who have received international or all-Russian recognition in a particular field of knowledge, if their activities comply with the requirements of paragraph 1 of Art. 6 - 10 Regulations on the procedure for conferring academic titles.

Academic title of associate professor in the department may be awarded to doctors and candidates of sciences who, under an employment contract, fill the positions of associate professor, professor, head of department, dean of a faculty, head of a branch or institute, vice-rector, rector of a university or advanced training institution, if they have published educational, methodological and scientific works, read the course lectures or conduct classes at a high professional level, as well as at the time of submission of attestation documents:

· successfully work in the specified positions during the year;

· have at least five years of experience in scientific and pedagogical work, of which at least three years of pedagogical work in universities or institutions for advanced training;

Academic title of associate professor in the specialty can be assigned to doctors, candidates of sciences, who, under an employment contract, replace the positions of a senior researcher, chief researcher, head (head) of a research department (department, sector, laboratory), scientific secretary, deputy director, director in scientific organizations, scientific divisions universities and institutions for advanced training and the relevant requirements of paragraph 17 of the Regulations of March 29, 2002

Assistant professor, as a minimum, must have a Ph.D. At the same time, if there are conditions specified in paragraphs 13 - 16 of the Regulations on the procedure for awarding academic titles, the academic title of associate professor can be awarded without defending a dissertation, as an exception, to persons who have higher education, art workers, specialists in physical culture and sports, highly qualified specialists who have received international or all-Russian recognition in a particular field of knowledge.

Thus, academic degrees and titles - qualification system in science and high school, which allows ranking scientific and scientific-pedagogical employees at individual stages of an academic career.

A qualification system has been created in universities, according to which academic degrees are arranged in ascending order. But what academic degrees are easy to answer - these are candidates and doctors of science. In order to receive a degree, applicants must publicly defend a dissertation. It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare such a voluminous scientific material. You can, of course, get by with a scientific report containing the final results of developments and research. But this path is only available already enough famous people, with many publications of scientific papers.

In connection with the transition to Bologna system education, several more degrees appeared:

The bachelor's degree is the lowest possible degree. It is received by a university graduate after studying for 4 years and defending a diploma. It used to be called "incomplete higher education";
Specialist - assigned after five years of study at a university;
Master - study period is 6 years. The graduate receives this degree after an additional two years of study and having defended a second thesis.

Often, when asked what academic degrees are, they answer - associate professor or professor. In this case, concepts are substituted - these are not academic degrees, but academic titles. Moreover, the academic title, supported by a documented official certificate. Non-certified employees can also hold the position of associate professor or professor. The title is given for life, and the position may be temporary.

Academic titles differ by department and specialty, they are scientific and pedagogical, so it is not surprising to get confused in all these ups and downs. Some people holding the position of professor proudly refer to themselves as "professors", although they have nothing to do with the academic title. In this matter, the military are more modest - having colonel's shoulder straps, no one will ever call himself a general in a general's position. Some non-state educational establishments independently, without involving the Higher Attestation Commission, they award scientific degrees of a candidate or doctor of sciences and issue so-called crusts. As a rule, the legal side of such documents still needs to be proven.

Understanding what degrees are and how they differ from academic titles is not as easy as it seems, but the main points are as follows:

After defending the dissertation, the applicant is awarded a scientific degree, and according to the results of scientific and pedagogical activity, an academic title is awarded.
The diploma of a candidate or doctor of science confirms the academic degree, and the certificate of an associate professor or professor confirms the academic title.
Getting a degree is more difficult than a title, so all efforts should be directed specifically to defending a dissertation.

People who have high ranks or academic degrees are treated more respectfully, so the desire for highest form self-actualization and self-expression is strong so far. But to achieve a high position in society is not easy, but possible.