Actualizado el 21 de Mayo de 2010

University degree validation abroad

PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN COLOMBIA





What is validation?




It is the recognition that the Colombian government made on a higher education diploma, issued by a foreign higher education institution or an institution is legally recognized by the competent authority in the country concerned, to issue higher education degrees


General requirements to validate a title:




1. A written application in the format provided by the Ministry.



2. Authenticated photocopy of the school certificate is intended to validate. The original school certificate should be duly attested, diplomatically or with apostille stamp.



3. Original or certified copy of certificate of qualifications or curriculum program title that is subject to validation issued by the institution where the host university. The original grading certificate or the curriculum must be duly legalized by diplomatic or apostille stamp.



4. Copy identity document (identity card, foreigners, passport).



5. Receipt of entry of the appropriate fee.




In the event of not having a certificate of qualification or the curriculum or not having legalized, may be remitted directly by the higher education institution granting of title to the Ministry of Education.




The documents identified in paragraphs 2 and 3 out in languages other than Castilian, must be translated by an official translator or interpreter, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the terms of Article 260 of the Code of Civil Procedure.




Special Requirements:




For master's and doctoral degrees in any area of knowledge:




In case the application must be decided by the criterion of academic evaluation, the evaluator may request a copy of the research paper or thesis, or summary in Spanish of the same.




For undergraduate degrees in law.




The applicant also must prove at least the approval of specific studies of Colombian law, in the following aspects: Colombian Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Special Proceedings (Civil, Administrative, Criminal and Labor). Such studies may be proved by a Colombian higher education institution that has the right program for qualified registered.

The subject may also certify the sufficiency ago indicated by the results obtained in the Quality Review of Higher Education - ECAES.


Note that:




vThe documents required for the prosecution of his application for accreditation must be submitted in a proper folder files.

vIf the request should be handled by the criterion of academic assessment, the assessor may, if necessary, informal copy of the academic program of the title you want to validate a technical issue academic. If convalidante may want to append this document at the time of filing the application.




Duly legalized vrefers to the process of authentication is done on the documents issued abroad and which aims to show off in Colombia that were granted under the law of the respective country.

There are currently two ways to legalize documents issued abroad, namely:

A) With Apostille stamp: It comes as the country of the institution granting the degree is part of the Hague Convention of 1961, which eliminated the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents.

It basically consists of: A special seal applied by the designated authority in the country of the institution granting the degree, to give recognition to the document in a country that is part of the convention.

Information on where to obtain the apostille stamp usually given in the universities or in the Colombian consulate in the country of origin of the title.

B) diplomatically: legalization generally constitutes compliance with the following steps:



1. Apposition of stamps and signatures of recognition of the qualification that makes the authority that oversees or regulates the educational activity in the country of the institution granting the degree.

2. Apposition of stamps and signatures of recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the country of the institution granting the degree.

3. Authentication of documents by the consul or diplomatic agent of Colombia in the foreign country.




4. Verification of signature of the consul or diplomatic agent of Colombia in the foreign country by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

vbe validated only for higher education qualifications, do not apply refresher courses, diploma or other related.




vThe existence of international agreements does not relieve the person concerned of the necessary formalities.



vThe procedure lasts less than 2 months and a maximum of 5 months, according to the criteria established by the regulations governing it. The term may be extended if required supplementation or clarification of documentation.

vWhere it is requested concurrent accreditation to undergraduate and graduate degrees will be treated as two separate transactions, and would require separate payments and must appear in separate folders.

vDepending on the academic program and the country of origin, may request additional documentation requirements.




vIn principle, the notification of the decision of recognition must be personally concerned, or his attorney, who shall attach the power duly authenticated by a notary or diplomatic authorities of Colombia and abroad. Failure to stock up personal service, notice shall be by edict, as provided in the Administrative Code.




vSee the website of the Ministry of Education


(www.mineducacion.gov.co). Then you can stay updated on the procedures and requirements to validate his title.




vIf the institution or academic program accreditation have high quality, seek a certification to that effect. This can speed processing.