SOVIET ACADEMIC DEGREES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date: 
March 1, 1999
Sequence Number: 
79
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 21, 1953
Content Type: 
REPORT
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6.pdf132.37 KB
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.*". . Si-ail DEC 19M Approved For Release 2001/09/11 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079}8.~`, U.S. Officials Only CCNFIDETIAL CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION REPORT 25X1A .; PLACE ACQUIRED (/Y SOURCE) DATE ACQUIRED (BY SOURCE) Soviet A:.ademic Degrees Nov 53 and earlier f TNt UlItil OTATtt. .ITNIR M[ .[AMINO O/ TITLI 10. O1CTIO.t 700 XI TM. of two U.I. COOl. At IW1NOt01 ITS TRANOYI111 OR ON ROY[. ATIOR Of ITt CORTORTi TO OR 010t0T IV AN UNAUtwORIIt0 -0R1ON It DATE DISTR..21f V44, . 1. Q. Do the stated requirements f,-x the Soviet "aspirant" correspond to the US "baohel'", the Soviet "kandidat;" with the US "master"i and the Soviet "dokror" with thi TJ3 ttda~tcc't? If not, with which US degrees are the Soviet stated rAquiremants most nearly equireleni., and what are the major deviations. from the pa'; ;era? A. Sovist. R :ademl degrees d n n :?t :,cap r esprnd with US academic degrees, but do parallel thorn. Par ent,het.i;,al1 , they are more similar to US degrees than Earnpoan degrees. "A-epL'ant" has two senees: The student lecturer aspiring to be the re tpient of the degree of "aspirant" and the "aspirant" himself. ?rne ,aspirant" Ys acne wno 1la:T ample`.cc1 the equivalent 'to the studies involve in obtaining a US"BA" degree, has done some graduate study (on US standards), and is teaching in his field. In studies completed he has not performed the resear-h of t_h- TJS"MA", but,' in experience and familiarity with his subject, he is probably mare qualified than the "MA" because he is not only pursuing his 3+.udies but has the experien_e of his lecturing. According to Soviet `Iaw, the r.spira^.t" i the basi' form of preparation for professional teaching and scholarly sear b. i The ITS "MA" does net. .necessarily concern the aspect of teaching.] The 'laspi ar.;'; an be .~T~teLied only L- those universities which have in their empp1 ~y highly q-aalifled pr fessors equipped with the lrnewledge for bestowing thi deg.-?c. A Twei ca:. be accepted for the "aspirant" unless he.is under 40 years %1 age, and In completing his higher education has shown ability for poda;oogi-al and research activities. The "aspirant" must spend three.yea> s in preparation far re: elving thiQ degree. I would call him an aepirant'for.the degree of "aspirant-". L? ring this three year period, he is assigned.to a-'..' professor (not necessarily a "kandidat") who leads him into independent -,:hclarly resear-h. At the end of the three year period he must pasa'a eoial e,xaxinatlon and defend the dissertation that he has prepared. ,The.?period ~gd' ircturing is usually ^anfiied to the last two years of this three year,peiriod. Aft'-r t ha firs, v-ir, - he "aepi.:.a:.* %' is a member of the faculty of the university. In. his :rrigl.nal sslection is the consideration that he 1 tea:t,_,' at .h., z..i:?ersi*y. The Soviet law of 1944 is the U. S. Officials nl Approved For Release 2001/09/11 : CIA-RDP8$-0~809A000500330079-6 0'11FMENTIAL Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6 CONFIDENTIAIWUS OFF IGIALS ON11 2 judicial basis for the Degree of "aspirant"Q Is the average holder of the Soviet degree of "kandidat" essentially equal in experience, formal training, knowledge, and research achievement to the US "master Is" degree recipient or to the holder at a US doctorate? If equivalent to neither, about where between the two US degrees would the Soviet "kandidat" be properly placed? A. Between the time of the Soviet Revolution and 1937 it was impossible to confer the degree of "kandidat" or "doktor". Under the Imperial Government of Russia these degrees were less prevalent than they are today. Under the Soviet basic law of 1937 these degrees can be conferred. For a degree of "kandidat" the scholar must complete the period of training an an "aspirant", receive this ?eCree, and defend the dissertation. The length of study for the "kandidat" is unspecified, but, is for more than the US PhD. The "kandidatts" diseertatiaa must show considerable independent work and include a diseuesion.of his complete field, a theoretical generalizattcn on scholarly research in his field, or a scholarly, well-founded. presentation of now problems In his field. His dissertation must also show considerable scholarly interest. A "kandidat" can be equated only to a US full professor of long standing. Pedagogical experience is a determining factor for the degree of. "kandidat". 3. R. If the Soviet "kendidat" is judged to be essentially equivalent to the US doctorate, then with approximately how prominent and experienced a US scientist wo~il.d the Soviet "doktor" be equivalent? A. In the US there 13 no equation to the Soviet "doktor" who are members of the various academies. The "doktor" carries with it an academic position and a job. Even a man of the scholarly distinction of Vishinskv might not necessarily be a "9.)ktor" if he did not hold his academic position. CONFIDENTIAL/US OFFICIALS CVLY/._ Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6 Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6 25X1A t Val l '/ ti'" Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500330079-6