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. |
|
GRADUATE/MASTERS | Graduate program, typically taken after a bachelors degree |
|
DOCTORATE | Doctorate degrees |
|
ASSOCIATE | A qualification below undergraduate level. In the US, typically 2-year degrees offered by community colleges. |
|
UNSPECIFIED | Degree level is not specified. |
|
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 |
|