China’s Degree Law will take effect on January 1, 2025. The Degree Law divides degrees into academic and professional degrees, sets out guidelines for refusing to grant or revoking degrees, and allows Chinese universities to independently create master’s and doctoral degree programs.
The Degree Law stresses that overseas degree authentication shall strictly comply with relevant national regulations.
China’s Degree Law was passed at the 9th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th PRC National People’s Congress. The Degree Law, which takes effect January 1, 2025, replaces the 1980 Degree Regulations and its 2004 amendment.
The Degree Law provides a clear statutory distinction between academic and professional degrees and establishes the requirements for obtaining different degrees. Academic degrees are those with a focus on academic research while professional degrees concentrate on professional practice.
The Degree Law allows Chinese educational institutions to refuse to grant or to revoke a degree to degree applicants or degree holders who: i) obtain their dissertation or practical results by ghostwriting, plagiarism, forgery, or any other academic misconduct; ii) steal or fraudulently use the identity of another person to obtain admission to the institution (or use any other illegal means to obtain admission or a graduation certificate); or iii) engage in any other serious illegal act related to their degree program.
The Degree Law also stipulates that Chinese universities may independently establish master’s and doctoral degree programs upon approval by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council under the Chinese Ministry of Education (“MOE”).
Implications for U.S. Higher Education Institutions
The Degree Law increases the flexibility of master’s and doctoral degree programs. Although it does not explicitly address international programs, the flexibility gives Chinese institutions more control over the development of international degree programs, and its overall framework suggests potential opportunities for international collaboration.
Notably, the Degree Law also stresses that overseas degree authentication must strictly comply with relevant national regulations. Currently, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (“CSCSE”) (a subsidiary of the MOE) is only official organization that provides overseas degree authentication in China. After the Degree Law takes effect, it is possible that more stringent conditions might be established by the CSCSE for degree authentication in order to ensure compliance with the new law.