A draft law submitted to Parliament proposes granting master’s degree equivalence to diplomas issued upon completion of single-level higher education programs before September 1, 2010.
Education Minister Givi Miknadze says the amendments aim to resolve long-standing issues affecting thousands of citizens whose qualifications have faced recognition problems.
“We had a situation where students completed the same number of subjects in a four-year program as those in five-year part-time studies, yet received different qualifications,” Mikanadze states. “The changes will allow graduates of four-year programs to receive master’s equivalence, significantly improving employment opportunities.”
The bill addresses inconsistencies in Georgia’s pre-2010 education system, before the introduction of a unified framework and student registry. Authorities say some institutions operated without accreditation, leaving graduates unable to validate their diplomas later.
Under the proposed amendments, the state would recognize higher education diplomas of students enrolled before September 1, 2010, provided they studied at licensed or legally recognized institutions — regardless of accreditation status.
The draft law also recognizes diplomas issued before 2005 if the institution held a valid license at the time, and formally equates single-cycle programs completed before 2010 with a master’s degree.
Lawmakers warn that without the changes, graduates of four-year programs may continue to face legal barriers in exercising their rights, often requiring court intervention.
The explanatory note highlights an “unfair and unequal approach,” where four-year program diplomas are treated as bachelor’s degrees, while five-year programs are considered equivalent to master’s degrees.
It also points to existing court practice, noting that the Supreme Court of Georgia has repeatedly ruled in favor of recognizing four-year single-level program diplomas as equivalent to master’s degrees.
