Hae-Young Lee National Institute for Lifelong Education(NILE) Republic of Korea

Contents Introduction of the ACBS Positive Outcomes & Challenges

Introduction ❏ Open higher education system along with Korea Open University ❏ Attempt to bring in lifelong learning society

Lifelong Learning Society Degree Conferment ACCREDITATION Learning experiences at schools and in life A Glance at How ACBS Works

Brief Footprints of ACBS 1995 First suggested by the Presidential Commission on Education Reform Law on Credit hour Recognition was enacted Accreditation system & Standardized curriculum were developed by KEDI 2008 NILE took over from KEDI and supervising ACBS ever since

Who benefits High school grads with no post-secondary education Drop-outs of junior college or university People who have professional certificates without college or university degrees People with college or university degrees who want to have other majors and/or advanced degrees People who have studied at non-traditional post-secondary institutions or 2-3 year colleges and wish to transfer into the university system People who have acquired traditional/professional/vocational crafts regarded as valuable / intangible heritages and properties

How People Get Academic Credits Completing courses from ACBS affiliated institutions Completing courses from ACBS affiliated institutions Acquiring National certificate or officially recognized private certificate Acquiring National certificate or officially recognized private certificate Taking non degree courses & programs from colleges & universities (on/off-line) on a part-time basis Taking non degree courses & programs from colleges & universities (on/off-line) on a part-time basis Holding or Completing a training in acquiring valuable intangible Traditional crafts Holding or Completing a training in acquiring valuable intangible Traditional crafts Passing bachelor's degree exam for Self-educated, Completing courses for exam exemption Passing bachelor's degree exam for Self-educated, Completing courses for exam exemption Credits from recognized prior colleges & universities Credits from recognized prior colleges & universities Acquiring Credits

How Institutions Get Accredited& Programs (1) ❏ Objects To evaluate non-formal educational institutions if they have the quality equivalent to that of college or university To give an approval as ACBS affiliated institutions offering accredited programs and courses ❏ Evaluation Criteria the qualities of their instructors, facilities and curricula

MEST NILE Process of ACBS

Types of the ACBS Affiliated Institutions Lifelong education institutions or Market-oriented education institutions as set forth in the Continuing Education Law Vocational and training institutions as set forth in the Vocational Education and Training Law Extension programs at Universities or Colleges Advanced technical training schools or special schools with relevant departments Local lifelong learning center run by NGOs, NPOs, and etc. Other continuing education facilities or vocational education training institutions recognized by the MEST, including business affiliated universities or vocational training centers In total, there are affiliated 537 institutions and 138 are college extension programs( )

Standardized Curriculum Purpose To provide specific guidelines for curriculum preparation & a detailed description of possible learning paths and educational outcomes Contents 1) educational objectives 2) subjects and required credits for general courses, core courses and elective courses 3) graduation and degree requirements 4) evaluation and quality control Majors 1) 4- yr university : 24 majors 2) 2-3 yr college : 13 majors

How People Apply for Degrees via ACBS CreditAccumulation Make an Application for Learner Registration Credit Recognition Degree conferment DegreeAcquisition

ClassificationBachelor’s Degree Associate’s Degree Remarks 2-Year3-Year 1 Total Credits140credits or higher80credits or higher120credits or higher Common 2 Major60credits or higher45credits or higher54credits or higher 3 General30credits or higher15credits or higher21credits or higher 4 A minimum of 18 credits should be taken by completing programs and courses at ACBS accredited institutes or part-time registration system. 5 Credit of relevant University/ College 84credits or higher48credits or higher65credits or higher Degree conferred by the president of university/ college 6 Candidates for the degree should fulfill all the requirement of Law on Credit Hour Recognition and Such(1997). 7 Candidates for the degree must complete each of core courses in his/her major field for degree conferment. Degree conferred by the Minister of Education and Human Resourced Development How People Get Degrees via ACBS

Virtuous Cycle of ACBS For Learners For Lifelong Learning Society For Educational & Vocational Training Institute

Challenges 1. Maintaining quality of educational process while allowing increasing autonomy of market-oriented education institutions 2. Establishing a collaborative relationship between formal higher education system and ACBS 3. Advancing as one of the major alternative higher education systems that can be recognized by business sector 4. Creating a climate for adult learners to access to ACBS and help in real life