Specialist degree (специалитет) — is a form of higher education that exists in Russia as well as in some CIS countries. The specialist degree differs from other forms of higher education, such as the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in its distinctive structure and its emphasis on professional training.
Features of the specialist degree
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Duration of study:
- The duration of study under specialist degree programs is 5 years (in some cases — up to 6 years, for example in medical institutions).
- The program combines theoretical and practical training, which allows students to obtain deeper knowledge and skills in their chosen specialty than at the bachelor’s level.
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Qualification:
- Upon completion of studies, the graduate receives the qualification of «specialist», rather than a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- The educational document is a specialist diploma, which grants the right to work in the profession without the need for further education, unlike the bachelor’s degree, which in some fields requires continuing education at the master’s level.
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Fields of application:
- The specialist degree is especially widespread in professional fields where in-depth training is required, for example:
- Medicine (specialist physician, where the duration of study can reach 6 years);
- Law (lawyers working within the judicial system or in government positions);
- Engineering specialties (highly qualified engineers);
- Military and law enforcement structures (training of officers for the army, police, and special services).
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Emphasis on practical training:
- Study under specialist degree programs often includes a large number of laboratory and practical classes, work placements, and internships, which allows students to develop professional skills directly during their studies.
- This favorably distinguishes the specialist degree from the bachelor’s degree, where the emphasis is placed more on basic theoretical knowledge.
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Advantages and disadvantages of the specialist degree:
- Advantages:
- Deep knowledge and practical skills in a narrow professional field;
- The opportunity to immediately begin professional activity without the need to obtain additional degrees;
- Recognition of the «specialist» qualification by many employers as equivalent to, or even more valuable than, a master’s degree.
- Disadvantages:
- Specialist degree programs are longer than bachelor’s programs;
- Lower flexibility in employment: the specialist degree prepares a person for a specific profession, which sometimes limits the choice of jobs compared to the more universal bachelor’s degree.
- In some countries, a specialist diploma may not be recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree, which sometimes complicates employment or admission to foreign universities for further study.
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Relationship with other levels of education:
- Within the Russian education system, the specialist degree can be regarded as an intermediate level between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- A graduate of the specialist program can continue studies in postgraduate study (aspirantura) and obtain the degree of Candidate of Sciences without going through the master’s stage.
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Features of instruction:
- In many higher education institutions, the specialist degree involves narrow professional disciplines that begin already in the first years of study and become more advanced as studies progress.
- Great attention is paid to project work and the defense of final qualifying theses, which demonstrate the student’s practical readiness to perform professional duties.
Comparison of the specialist degree, the bachelor’s degree, and the master’s degree
| Parameter |
Specialist degree |
Bachelor’s degree |
Master’s degree |
| Duration of study |
5-6 years |
4 years |
2 years (after the bachelor’s degree) |
| Qualification |
Specialist |
Bachelor |
Master |
| Orientation |
Practical and theoretical training |
Basic theoretical training |
In-depth theoretical and scientific training |
| Employment opportunity |
Immediately after graduation |
In some professions requires a master’s degree |
Scientific and research work |
| Access to postgraduate study |
Yes |
Yes, but not in all fields |
Yes |
Prospects and significance of the specialist degree
The specialist degree remains a sought-after form of education, since it meets the requirements of professions where it is necessary to begin working immediately, possessing a full set of professional skills. For example, physicians, engineers, and lawyers who have completed a specialist program can begin working right away.
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