by Tom Byerley, Director, University of Tennessee’s Reliability and Maintainability Center
In the reliability and maintenance world (and elsewhere I suppose), there continues to be significant confusion concerning the meaning and proper use of the three words, certificate, diploma and degree.
Many educational, training and professional development entities seem to use these words somewhat indiscriminately, adding to the confusion. One can earn a certificate here, a diploma there, etc. This adds to the confusion, and frankly, it often appears that they choose one word or another primarily to enhance or embellish the perceived status of a particular course offering rather than to clarify the true value.
When a good friend recently asked me to comment on the subject, I went to my old faithful “Webster’s New World College Dictionary” looking for assistance. Actually, I already knew what I thought, but I hoped that Mr. Webster would support my own take on the matter. I discovered the following definitions that I believe offer a reasonably clear distinction about the use of the three words as they apply to the area of learning and education.
Certificate: a document certifying that one has met specified requirements.
Diploma: a certificate issued to a student by a school, college, or university, indicating graduation or the conferring of a degree.
Degree: a rank given by a college or university to a student who has completed a required course of study.
Note that the terms diploma and degree both are characterized by and connected to the terms “school, college, or university”. The word “Certificate” is not tied to the terms “school, college, or university”.
In addition to the above dictionary definitions, I believe that the majority of people do normally associate the terms “degree” and “diploma” with universities and colleges (and high schools) – all multi-year academic programs overseen by some type of accrediting or governing body. Thus, one is awarded a “Diploma” recognizing they have earned a “Degree” in some subject, such as Mechanical Engineering, etc. These two terms appear to be correctly linked and somewhat interchangeable when the discussion centers on education and formal training. Further, I think the average person accepts that a “Certificate”, while a recognition of significant accomplishment, is typically awarded at the conclusion of an activity much shorter in time than a formal multi-year educational process.
So, is it inappropriate to use the three terms indiscriminately as many entities seem to do? I believe it is, based on the dictionary definitions and what I think the average person’s use of the terms is. It certainly adds to the confusion, and as a minimum, it appear to be misleading.
This is not to say that those non-university/college entities (some of which advertise that they are offering degrees, diplomas, licenses, etc.) do not provide excellent training or educational opportunities. On the contrary, many of them do. They certainly play a critical and necessary role in providing continuing education and professional development activities. Their courses help advance the understanding and application of various technologies as well as other areas of knowledge and expertise. Their offerings provide a key portion of the ongoing learning we need in order to keep our industries viable. We need these types of opportunities just as much as we need the opportunities provided by colleges and universities
However, I think there would be much less confusion in the reliability and maintenance field if the terms “Degrees” and “Diplomas” were left to the universities and colleges and the term “Certificate” was utilized to mark the successful completion of those programs delivered by non-university/college entities.
Tom Byerley is Director of the University of Tennessee’s Reliability and Maintainability Center, located on the Knoxville, TN campus. The RMC is an industry sponsored Center with 30+ member companies.
Information is available at www.rmc.utk.edu.
Comments (7)
I think the loose use of these terms and the various levels and qualities of certification programs offered for maintenance and reliability have played a significant role on the lack of professional respect afforded.
Thanks for writing this.
Terry O
Reliabilityweb.com
1) Posted 2:53 pm, 04 August 2009 by tohanlon
In relation to Terrence's comment, with the increased focus on maintaining reliable assets it would be good to see some bachelors degrees being developed for Maintenace and reliability Engineering. Unfortunately as per Cliff Williams "Help Wanted" article it does not seem like a desireable career option for the young ones.
The devellopment of Graduate certificate, diploma and masters courses from institutions such as the University of Tennesse, Central Queensland and Monash Universities in Australia are a great start but I think we need more options.
In Australia the technical colleges teach trade skills and provide post trade studies at a certificate level. I'd like to see certificate level post trade studies in Planning and Schedulling and Reliability and Maintenace Engineeering.
If we were smart about it these could lead into credits in the universities for further study.
2) Posted 7:27 am, 05 August 2009 by Mark Brunner
Having just finished a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at TAFE College I can definitely relate to this.
Coming from a Fitting & Turning Background and having a number of years experience behind me in the trade definitely helped understand the concept behind 95% of what we covered at College. I believe it was a great advantage and think that all Graduate engineers should go through at least 2 years in field experience before going straight into study.
I get queried all the time, what is it exactly I have just finished? If I say I finished a Diploma at University, I am sure that most people will just accept it and that will be the end of the subject. When I mention that I completed my Diploma at TAFE, people seem to think that I have done a lower level of training, yet the Diploma at TAFE had to be prepared by University lecturers and we followed the same curriculum.
I would like to hear from other fellow ex-tradesmen and get their thoughts.
Kevin
3) Posted 5:25 pm, 05 August 2009 by Kevin Cassar
An example is our Monash University Maintenance and Reliability Engineering programs, offered only by off-campus learning.
Graduate Certificates require the equivalent of half a year's full time study.
Graduate Diploma - a year, and
Master's degree also a year for those with BE/BS, or 1.5 years if entering via Graduate Certificate (as many with trade+ quals do, conditionally).
"Postgraduate Diplomas" offer further study in a field already started in a BS/BE, but as sadly there are no BS/BEs in M&RE;, the term "Graduate Diploma" applies in our case.
Ray
4) Posted 7:11 pm, 05 August 2009 by Ray Beebe
I am curious if the degrees from Australia are recognized in the US. Anyone have any comments on this?
5) Posted 5:19 am, 07 August 2009 by Tom Antram
No doubt, there is considerable confusion in the usage of these words; certificate, diploma and degree.
This article has clarified the meanings and usage.
I support that leaving "Diploma" and "Degree" to universities and colleges and "Certificate" to non-universities and colleges can minimize confusion.
Asad Malik
6) Posted 1:55 am, 09 August 2009 by Asad Malik
That will rely on the reputation of the awarding university, and its internal QA processes. More importantly I think is the recognition by workplace performance, and also the feeling of graduates as to how the studies helped them perform better.
Among our hundreds of graduates are 40 who enrolled via our collaboration with UTennessee that began in 2000. Maybe some of them would comment?
7) Posted 7:57 pm, 12 August 2009 by Ray Beebe