Certificate, diploma or degree of person 15 years or over

Status: This standard was replaced by the 'Educational qualifications of person' as of April 7, 2016.

Definition

Certificate, diploma or degree refers to a certificate, diploma or degree obtained by the person from an accredited educational institution. It also includes educational certificates or diplomas awarded to the person by provincial or federal authorities, such as the journeyman/woman designation or teaching and nursing certificates. The certificate, diploma or degree must be awarded based principally on evaluation of educational attainment and not on attendance.

Person 15 years or over refers to an individual whose age is 15 years or over.

Usage

Typically, the focus is on the highest certificate, diploma or degree obtained by a person. However, other criteria can be used for selecting a particular certificate, diploma or degree obtained by the person such as the most recent credential obtained, the highest Canadian credential obtained or the highest foreign credential obtained. The credential selected should be specified.

Derivation

The highest certificate, diploma or degree can be collected directly from a single question referring specifically to the highest certificate, diploma or degree obtained by the person or it can be derived from responses to a set of questions each of which asks whether or not the person has obtained some specific certificate, diploma or degree.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

Highest certificate, diploma or degree is generally consistent with the concept of Educational qualifications as described by the United Nations (UN). However, the UN concept of Educational qualifications includes credentials conferred by professional organisations while these are excluded from the current standard. (Source: Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses, Revision 2, 2008).

Another related international standard is the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). ISCED classifies educational programmes and includes a classification of the levels of educational attainment. This standard does not use ISCED but, rather, a classification that reflects the educational credentials offered in Canada.

Classifications

Additional information

See:

Relation to previous version

  • Certificate, diploma or degree of person 15 years or over June 20, 2011 to April 06, 2016

    This standard replaces the standard for 'Education, highest degree, certificate or diploma'. The standard definition now clarifies that:

    (1) Educational certificates or diplomas awarded to the person by provincial or federal authorities, such as the journeyman/woman designation or teaching and nursing certificates are included; and

    (2) The certificate, diploma or degree must be awarded based principally on evaluation of educational attainment and not on attendance.

    The classification differs from the earlier standard in providing a more detailed classification for postsecondary non-university certificates and diplomas obtained. The classification now includes definitions for each of the classes.

  • Education, highest degree, certificate or diploma July 15, 1998 to June 19, 2011
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