Dominican Republic - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:
Universidad Pública (Public University)
Universidad Privada (Private University)
Universidad Tecnológica (Technological University)
Instituto (Institute)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Bachillerato
Maestro Normal
Técnico
Certificado de Estudios Superiores
Profesorado
Licenciatura
Professional Title
Doctor
Especialista
Maestría

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 7
Age of exit: 17

Structure of school system:

Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School Educación Básica
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 7 to: 14
 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificado de Suficiencia en Los Estudios Primarios

Intermediate
Type of school providing this education: Secondary school (traditional system)
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 14 to: 16
Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificado de Suficiencia en los Estudios
Intermedios

Basic Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Secondary school (Reform)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 14 to: 18

Technical Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Technical Secondary School
Certificate/diploma awarded: Perito

Upper Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Secondary school (Reform)
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 18 to: 20
Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato en Ciencias y Letras

Second Cycle Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary school (traditional)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 16 to: 20
Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato

School education:

Primary school lasts for six years and is compulsory. In secondary education, two
systems are in operation. The traditional system comprises a six-year cycle divided
into a two-year intermediate cycle and a four-year second cycle. On completion of
the first two years, students obtain the Certificado de Suficiencia en los Estudios
Intermedios. During the second cycle, students follow an academic, technical-
vocational or teacher-training track. During the last year, students can choose to
specialize. On completion of this cycle, students are awarded the Bachillerato in
their specialization. In the reform system, studies last for six years, divided into two
cycles. The first cycle (Ciclo Básico) is a four-year cycle with an emphasis on
science. The second cycle (Ciclo Superior) lasts for two years and offers a greater
choice of specializations than the traditional system. On completion, students are
awarded the Bachillerato en Ciencias y Letras. Technical secondary is available in
both systems via a Bachillerato in a technical area. Students are awarded the title of
Perito on completion of their studies.

Higher education:

Higher education is provided by universities and other institutions of higher

education. The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo is the only state
university. The others are private. All institutions must be authorized by the
President of the Republic. The Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior was created
to supervise the enforcement of the regulations in the field of higher education and
provide technical assistance to higher education institutions and advisory services to
the executive power.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Decreto 517-96 Year: 1996
Decree: Ley General de Educación no 66-97 Year: 1997

Academic year:
Classes from: Aug to: Jun

Languages of instruction: Spanish

Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:

Higher technical education is provided by technological institutes and some

universities which offer intermediate programmes which are shorter than normal
first degrees, and which are designed to prepare students for specific careers in the
vocational/technical areas. Courses usually last for two to three years and lead to
the title of Técnico superior.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Licenciatura:

Courses usually last for four years and lead to the Licenciatura. Courses in fields
such as Engineering and Architecture take five to six years and lead to a
professional title.

University level second stage: Especialista, Maestría, Doctor:

Studies last between one and three years following upon the Licenciatura and lead
to the title and/or degree of Especialista or Maestría. The only Doctorados
conferred are professional qualifications in Law, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine
and Dentistry. Studies last for approximately six years and lead to the title of
Doctor.

Teacher education:
 Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained at secondary level as one of the options in the
secondary education sector. Schools offer a two-year programme following
completion of grade 10 and accept students from both the traditional and the
reform systems. Courses lead to the title of Maestro Normal.

Training of secondary school teachers

Two types of training are offered: a two- to three-year programme leading to the
intermediate degree of Técnico, Profesor or a Certificado de Estudios Superiores,
preparing teachers for lower secondary level, and a four-year Licenciado in
Education for upper secondary education.

Non-traditional studies:

Other forms of non-formal higher education

Technical/vocational institutions are open to holders of the Bachillerato and lead
after three months' to three years' study to the qualifications of Grado de Técnico
or Grado Asociado in Hotel Management, Computer Sciences,
Agriculture/Forestry.

NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:

State Secretariat for Higher Education, Science and Technology (Secretaría de

Estado de Educación superior, Ciencia y Tecnología)
Head: Andrés Rodriguez Reyes, Secretario
Ave. Enrique Jiménez Moya Esq. Juan de Dios Ventura Simó, 5to. Piso, Centro de
los Héroes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Tel: +1809 533-3381
Fax: +1809 535-4694
EMail: mortiz@see.gov.do

National Council for Higher Education (Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior

(CONES))
Head: Andrés Reyes Rodríguez, President
Administrative officer: Melanio Hernandez, Executive Secretary
Avenida Enrique Jiménez Moya, Esq. Juan de Dios Ventura Simó, 5to Piso,
Centro de los Héroes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Tel: +1809 533-3381
Fax: +1809 533-4694
EMail: Webmaster@cones.gov.do
WWW: http://www.cones.gov.do

Role of governing body: Supervises the enforcement of regulations in the field of

higher education, offers assistance to higher education institutions and advises the
executive power.

Dominican Association of University Rectors (Asociación Dominicana de Rectores

de Universidades)
Head: Franklyn Holguín Haché, President
Administrative officer: José Jorge Goico Germosén, Executive Director
C/Sánchez #158, Primera Planta, Zona Colonial
Calle Luperón Esq. Hostos, Ciudad Colonial
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Tel: +1809 689-0003
Fax: +1809 589-4931
EMail: adru@codetel.net.do
Role of governing body: Encourages inter-university relations to promote
academic activities, research and lifelong education, and exchanges with national
 and international bodies.

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato

Foreign students admission

Quotas: 33%
Admission requirements: Students must hold the Bachillerato, pass an Examen de
Admisión, and hold a copy of their academic record, together with a certification by
their home university.
Entry regulations: Foreign students must possess a student visa or a residence
permit, according to their nationality. A good command of Spanish is necessary.
Health requirements: Foreign students must hold a health certificate
Language requirements: Students must have a good command of Spanish.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign
credentials):
Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior
Head: Andrés Reyes Rodriguez, President
Administrative officer: Melanio Hernandez, Executive Secretary
Avenida Jiménez Moya Esq. Juan de Dios Ventura Simó, 5ta Planta, Centro de los
Heroes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Tel: +1809 553-3381
Fax: +1809 535-4694
EMail: Webmaster@cones.gov.do
WWW: http://www.cones.gov.do
STUDENT LIFE
Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:
Home students tuition fees: Maximum: 50000 (Dominican Peso)
Foreign students tuition fees: Maximum: 3200 (US Dollar)

GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: A=90-100 Excelente; B=80-89 Muy Bueno; C=70-79 Bueno;
D=0-69 Deficiente
Highest on scale: A 100
Lowest on scale: D 0

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 0-100%
Highest on scale: 100%
Pass/fail level: 70%
Lowest on scale: 0%

Other main grading systems

A-D: A = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; F = 0

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2001-2002

Source: Consejo nacional de Educación superior, Santo Domingo, 2001 (except for
State Secretariat for Education, updated 2003)