Degree

This sub-textual structure represents qualifications that individuals may receive, broken down and standardized into qualification level and subject. To facilitate subsequent analysis:

• Subjects are captured separately from the degree: Since the degree level and subject are separate dimensions of a qualification, the degree textual structure represents the subject separate from the degree level. This includes identification of the degree and subject both where the degree is written in full (e.g., 'Bachelor’s degree in engineering'), and, as appropriate, abbreviated degrees (e.g., 'BEng'). In the case of abbreviations, the subject from ‘generic’ abbreviations are not interpreted. For example, since 'BA' and 'PhD' do not convey that the subjects are 'art' or 'philosophy', the subject is not erroneously interpreted from the acronym.
• Uncommon permutations and university-specific degrees are captured: While most bachelor degrees are indicated from degree letters beginning in B, and masters degrees with the letter M, we take care to ensure that less common permutations are also captured. For example, we capture bachelor-level degrees including 'A.B.' and 'S.B.', which are issued by Harvard following traditional Latin degree names ('artium baccalaureus' and 'scientiae baccalaureus' respectively).
• Degree subjects grouped into disciplines: The degree subjects are grouped into disciplines. For example, different types of engineering (e.g., electrical, mechanical) are grouped in the engineering discipline, and different business subjects grouped within the business discipline. If your research requires separate groupings, please see our re-classification guide.

Specification

Property	Type	Comments
DEGREE_LEVEL	Standardized String	See examples below
SUBJECTS	List: Standardized String	Subjects appear in the order they appear in the degree. See examples below.
GRADE_NOTES	String	Examples: "summa cum laude", "First class", "distinction"
HONORARY	True/Omitted	Honorary degree

Examples

{  
   "ORIGINAL":"B.S. degree, magna cum laude, in accounting",
   "DEGREE_LEVEL":"UNDERGRADUATE/BACHELORS",
   "SUBJECTS":["BUSINESS-ACCOUNTING"],
   "GRADE_NOTES":"magna cum laude"  
}

{  
   "ORIGINAL":"Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and History",
   "DEGREE_LEVEL":"UNDERGRADUATE/BACHELORS",
   "SUBJECTS":["MUSIC","HISTORY"]
}

{  
   "ORIGINAL":"M.B.A.",
   "DEGREE_LEVEL":"GRADUATE/MASTERS",
   "SUBJECTS":["BUSINESS-GENERAL/UNSPECIFIED"]
}

Degree Levels

Below illustrates examples of the degree levels captured.

Level	Description	Common Examples
UNDERGRADUATE/BACHELOR	Most common qualification, typically a 4-year qualification.	Undergraduate degree BEng / BA / B.B.A. Bachelor of Arts degree / Bachelor degree AB / SB (Bachelor degrees from Harvard)
GRADUATE/MASTERS	Graduate program, typically taken after a bachelors degree	Master’s Degree Graduate degree MBA MEng
DOCTORATE	Doctorate degrees	Doctorate Ph.D. MD Juris Doctor Doctor of Law Degree
ASSOCIATE	A qualification below undergraduate level. In the US, typically 2-year degrees offered by community colleges.	Associate Degree Associate of Science Degree Associate of Arts Degree
UNSPECIFIED	Degree level is not specified.	Degree Degree in mathematics Diploma Engineering degree

Qualification Subjects

The second component of the qualification is the subject. Typically the degree subject follows the degree level (e.g., 'a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics', or a 'BA in Computer Science'), however in some cases formed part of the degree name/acronym (e.g., an 'M.B.A.' or a 'MEng', where the subjects, if not further specified, were taken as BUSINESS|GENERAL and ENGINEERING respectively). Although most degrees typically have a single subject, there are cases where two or more subjects are listed (e.g., 'Bachelors of Arts Degree in mathematics and economics'). In such cases, subjects are extracted and represented in the order in which they occur.

Subject	Common Examples
Engineering	Manufacturing engineering