USM license diploma can be obtained in 3 years

Starting with 2006-2007, students learning at the State University of Moldova (USM) will be able to get the license diploma only in 3 years, and master degree diploma after other two years. Non-attendance studies at USM faculties will last 4 years. Pro-rector for didactic activity within USM, Elena Muraru, stated on Wednesday, April 26, these changes in the educational process are related to the implementation of the university education reform, required in the context of joining to the Bologna Process in May 2005. According to her, starting with the next year, the students of USM faculties will have the possibility to attend additional special courses, allowing them later, if necessary, to re-profile for other courses. In this case, students could get the license at the faculty they have studied, and master degree to another course. Complementary studies include especially psycho-pedagogic courses, giving the possibility to the students from other faculties to become teachers in pre-university institutions from the country. The students of those 12 USM faculties also will be able to attend, at their choice, informatics and foreign language trainings. Regardless of the fact the Rectors’ College of USM approved already the Matriculation Regulation, the matriculation conditions will be known only on Thursday, 27 April, after they are approved by the College of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. She also mentioned that the greatest number of public places at USM was offered until now, especially, to faculties with pedagogic profile, in average 35 places. For this year, the state budget offered scholarships for 1,450 students. Elena Muraru, mentioned that for next year, USM did not increase the taxes for contract based studies. The faculties with pedagogic profile are the cheapest - about 2,600 lei for high-school graduates and 2,100 lei for ordinary schools graduates. The highest taxes are registered at the law faculty, about 7,000 lei. The pro-rector motivated this sum by the high expenses for supporting law studies and by the great demand for this faculty.