Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters delegated by the Act on the Recognition of Credits and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 2(Support for learners) #
(1) The head of an educational administrative agency and a university referred to in subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Act on the Recognition of Credits (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") may establish and operate a counseling center to provide necessary materials or respond to counseling for persons who study to receive the recognition of credits, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "learners"), and the State and local governments may provide expenses necessary therefor.
(2) Where the Minister of Education deems it necessary to smoothly perform the business of the recognition of credits, he or she may request the head of an educational institution, an educational administrative agency, an educational research institute, or a public institution under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions for the use of facilities and support of personnel. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(3) The head of an agency who receives a request for support under paragraph (2) shall cooperate therewith, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 3(Educational and training institutions subject to evaluation and recognition) #
The "lifelong education facilities, vocational education and training institutions, and military education and training facilities, etc. prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 3(1) of the Act means any of the following facilities and institutions (hereinafter referred to as "educational and training institutions"): <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015; Mar. 25, 2016; Nov. 13, 2018; Dec. 3, 2019; Feb. 17, 2022; Jan. 10, 2023; Apr. 30, 2024; May 7, 2024; Jan. 16, 2025>
1. Schools that fall under any of the following items, for which academic background is not recognized:
a. High technical schools that have a major course pursuant to Article 54(4) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;
b. Special education institutions that establish and operate a major course pursuant to Article 24(1) of the Act on Special Education for Persons with Disabilities (limited to special schools providing high school courses);
c. Various kinds of schools under Article 59(1) of the Higher Education Act, which are equivalent to universities under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of that Act or junior colleges under subparagraph 4 of that Article;
2. Junior colleges that have open courses under Article 26 of the Higher Education Act and Article 44(4) of the Enforcement Decree of the Lifelong Education Act, or intensive major courses under Article 49 of the Higher Education Act;
3. Lifelong education facilities under Article 33(2) and Articles 35 through 38 of the Lifelong Education Act;
4. Lifelong vocational education academies under Article 2-2(1)2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons;
5. Vocational ability development training facilities under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the National Lifelong Vocational Skills Development Act;
6. The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology under Article 38 of the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act, the Korea Planning and Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology under Article 39 of that Act, the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology under Article 39-2 of that Act, and specialized production technology institutes under Article 42 of that Act;
6-2. Corporate human resources development agencies under Article 5(1) of the Special Act on High-Tech Industry Talent Innovation, high-tech industry academies under Article 7(1) of that Act, and specialized human resources innovation enterprises under Article 8(1) of that Act;
Article 4(Procedures for evaluation and recognition) #
(1) A person who intends to apply for evaluation and recognition of a learning course pursuant to Article 3(2) of the Act or to apply for recognition of changes in a learning course evaluated and recognized pursuant to the main clause of Article 3(3) of the Act shall submit an application form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education, accompanied by relevant documents, to the Minister of Education. <Amended on Sep. 25, 2015>
(2) Upon receipt of application documents under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall investigate and verify whether the details of the application conform to the criteria for evaluation and recognition under Article 5. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
(3) The Minister of Education shall determine whether to grant evaluation and recognition based on the results of the investigation and verification under paragraph (2), and then notify the applicant thereof. In such cases, the notification of evaluation and recognition may be substituted by the issuance of a certificate of evaluation and recognition under Article 4(1) of the Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
(4) Deleted. <Sep. 25, 2015>
(5) When the Minister of Education investigates and verifies whether the details of an application for evaluation and recognition conform to the criteria for evaluation and recognition pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she may hear opinions from the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, experts, or the heads of relevant organizations, if professional knowledge is required, such as in the fields of training medical personnel under Article 28(3)2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act. <Amended on Sep. 25, 2015>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
[Title Amended on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 4-2(Changes in minor matters among evaluation and recognition matters) #
"Cases of changing minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 3(3) of the Act means any of the following cases:
1. Where a clerical error, omission, or any other matter equivalent thereto is changed;
2. Where the number of professors or instructors is changed within the range of 1/3;
3. Where any other matter determined by the Minister of Education as not affecting the results of evaluation and recognition is changed.
[This Article Added on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 5(Criteria for evaluation and recognition) #
(1) The criteria for evaluation and recognition of learning courses under Article 3(5) of the Act are as follows: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2012; Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015; Jan. 10, 2023>
1. Professors or instructors of an educational and training institution shall be persons who do not fall under any of the grounds for disqualification under Article 33 of the State Public Officials Act and who hold qualifications according to the following categories, and the number of personnel necessary for the operation of the relevant learning course shall be secured:
a. Professors: Persons who hold qualifications for teachers under Appendix of the Regulations on the Standards for Qualifications of University Faculty Members;
b. Instructors: Persons who hold qualifications determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Education;
2. Basic educational facilities and equipment including classrooms, laboratory and practice rooms, and administrative offices suitable for learning and research activities shall be provided, and their standards shall be equivalent to those of a university or a junior college; provided, where remote education is to be conducted, standards for facilities and equipment suitable therefor may be separately prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education;
3. The details of a learning course shall be composed in accordance with the standard curriculum under Article 17.
(2) Detailed criteria for the number of professors or instructors, learning facilities, learning equipment, the details of learning courses, etc. under paragraph (1) and other matters necessary for evaluation and recognition shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), some of the criteria for evaluation and recognition, such as learning facilities and learning equipment, may not be applied to learning courses established and operated by educational and training institutions under subparagraphs 9, 10, and 10-2 of Article 3, as determined by the Minister of Education. <Added on Sep. 25, 2015; on Nov. 13, 2018; Dec. 3, 2019>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
[Title Amended on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 6 #
Deleted. <Sep. 25, 2015>
Article 7(Matters to be entered in certificates of evaluation and recognition) #
Matters to be entered in a certificate of evaluation and recognition under Article 4(2) of the Act are as follows: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
1. The name, address, business registration number, and telephone number of the educational and training institution, and the name, address, and date of birth of its representative;
2. The recognition number and the date of recognition;
3. The name of the learning course;
4. Recognized credits and the maximum student capacity for each learning course;
5. The period of validity;
6. Other matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 7-2(Plans for re-evaluation of evaluated and recognized learning courses) #
(1) A re-evaluation plan under Article 4-2(2) of the Act shall include the following matters:
1. Whether the procedures for changes in evaluation and recognition matters under Article 3(3) of the Act are complied with;
2. Whether the learning course is operated in compliance with the criteria for evaluation and recognition under Article 3(5) of the Act;
3. Whether the regulations on the operation of evaluated and recognized learning courses under Article 4-2(1) of the Act are complied with;
4. The timing of re-evaluation and other necessary matters.
(2) The Minister of Education may, pursuant to Article 4-2(3) of the Act, require the submission of materials related to the operation of evaluated and recognized learning courses necessary for investigation and inspection, or have relevant public officials visit educational and training institutions to investigate and inspect relevant documents, etc.
(3) When the Minister of Education establishes and implements a re-evaluation plan pursuant to Article 4-2(2) of the Act or investigates and inspects matters related to the operation of evaluated and recognized learning courses pursuant to paragraph (3) of that Article, he or she may hear opinions from the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, experts, or the heads of relevant organizations, if professional knowledge is required.
[This Article Added on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 7-3(Revocation of evaluation and recognition and corrective orders) #
(1) The criteria for revocation of evaluation and recognition under Article 5(1) of the Act and the period of suspension of operation of learning courses and restriction on application for evaluation and recognition under paragraph (3) of that Article shall be as specified in Appendix 1.
(2) When a person who has received a corrective order under the main clause of Article 5(2) of the Act has implemented the order, he or she shall report it to the Minister of Education without delay. <Amended on Jan. 27, 2026>
(3) With respect to an objection filed by a person who has an objection to a corrective order under the main clause of Article 5(2) of the Act, Article 36 of the Framework Act on Administration shall apply. <Amended on Jan. 27, 2026>
[This Article Added on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 8(Methods of public announcement of evaluation and recognition) #
The Minister of Education shall, when he or she grants evaluation and recognition of a learning course or takes measures such as revocation of evaluation and recognition of a learning course, suspension of operation of a learning course, or restriction on application for evaluation and recognition pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Act, announce it by means of posting it on the internet website. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 8-2(Scope of disclosed information of educational and training institutions) #
(1) The scope, frequency, and timing of disclosure of the information referred to in the subparagraphs of Article 6-2(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2.
(2) The Minister of Education may integrate and manage the disclosed information submitted by the heads of educational and training institutions pursuant to the latter part of the portion other than the subparagraphs of Article 6-2(1) of the Act.
(3) The Minister of Education may standardize and disclose major items among the disclosed information integrated and managed pursuant to paragraph (2).
(4) When the Minister of Education requests the head of an educational and training institution to submit relevant materials pursuant to the former part of Article 6-2(2) of the Act, he or she shall specify the following matters:
1. The reason for the request for submission of materials;
2. The date and time for submission of materials;
3. The details of the materials to be submitted.
[This Article Added on Sep. 25, 2015]
Article 9(Schools subject to recognition of credits) #
(1) "Schools or lifelong education facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 7(2)1 of the Act means any of the following schools and lifelong education facilities: <Amended on Jan. 25, 2012; Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015; Feb. 17, 2022>
1. Military academies under the Military Academy Act;
2. The Korean National Police University under the Establishment of the Korean National Police University Act;
3. The Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon under the Act on the Establishment of the Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon;
4. The Armed Forces Nursing Academy established under the Act on Establishment of the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy;
5. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act;
6. Short-term industrial education facilities under Article 6 of the Industrial Education Enhancement and Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation Promotion Act (limited to cases where the Minister of Education recognizes that they are equipped with teachers, facilities, and equipment equivalent to those of a junior college pursuant to Article 6(5) of the Enforcement Decree of that Act);
7. Technical colleges under the National Lifelong Vocational Skills Development Act (limited to multi-skilled technician courses);
8. Lifelong education facilities in the form of a school under Article 31(4) of the Lifelong Education Act, lifelong education facilities in the form of an in-house college under Article 32 of that Act, and lifelong education facilities in the form of a remote college under Article 33(3) of that Act;
9. Universities referred to in subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Act (limited to curricula prescribed by school regulations under Article 6(1) of the Higher Education Act);
10. Various kinds of schools under Article 59(4) of the Higher Education Act.
(2) Qualifications subject to the recognition of credits under Article 7(2)4 of the Act shall be national qualifications under the Framework Act on Qualifications and private qualifications authorized by the State.
(3) Examinations subject to the recognition of credits under Article 7(2)5 of the Act shall be examinations under the Act on the Acquisition of Academic Degrees through Self-Education.
Article 10(Procedures for recognition of credits) #
(1) A person who intends to apply for recognition of credits pursuant to Article 7 of the Act shall submit an application form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education, accompanied by relevant documents, to the Minister of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
(2) Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall investigate and verify whether the details of the application conform to the criteria for recognition of credits, determine whether to recognize the credits, and then notify the applicant thereof. In such cases, the notification of recognition of credits may be substituted by the issuance of a certificate of recognition of credits prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 11(Criteria for recognition of credits) #
The criteria for recognition of credits under Article 7(5) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 3. <Amended on Jun. 29, 2001; Sep. 18, 2008; Sep. 25, 2015>
Article 12(Procedures for recognition of academic background) #
(1) A person who intends to obtain a certificate of recognition of academic background under Article 8(1) of the Act shall submit an application for issuance prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education, accompanied by relevant documents, to the Minister of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
(2) Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall investigate and verify whether the details of the application conform to the criteria for recognition of academic background, determine whether to issue a certificate of recognition of academic background, and then notify the applicant thereof. In such cases, the notification of issuance may be substituted by the issuance of a certificate of recognition of academic background prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 13(Criteria for recognition of academic background) #
(1) In order for a learner to have his or her academic background recognized as being equivalent to that of a graduate of a university or a junior college pursuant to Article 8(1) of the Act, he or she shall have the following credits recognized:
1. Academic background of a university graduate: At least 140 credits;
2. Academic background of a junior college graduate: At least 80 credits (120 credits where the period of study is 3 years pursuant to Article 57(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act);
(2) The recognized credits under paragraph (1) shall include credits for liberal arts subjects and major subjects, and detailed criteria therefor and other matters necessary for recognition of academic background shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 14(Types of degrees) #
The types of degrees under Article 9(4) of the Act shall be classified into humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, arts and physical education, and health and medical service fields, and detailed matters thereof shall be prescribed by the standard curriculum under Article 17 or the school regulations of the relevant university, etc.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 15(Procedures for conferring degrees) #
(1) A person who intends to receive a degree under Article 9(1) of the Act shall submit an application form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education, accompanied by relevant documents, to the Minister of Education. <Amended on Jun. 27, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
(2) Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall investigate and verify whether the details of the application satisfy the requirements for conferring a degree, determine whether to confer the degree, and then notify the applicant thereof. In such cases, the notification of the conferment of a degree may be substituted by the issuance of a diploma prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Jun. 27, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Jan. 10, 2023>
(3) Deleted. <Sep. 18, 2008>
(4) Procedures for conferring degrees under Article 9(2) of the Act shall be as prescribed by the school regulations of the relevant university, etc. <Amended on Jun. 27, 2011>
[Title Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 16(Requirements for conferring degrees) #
(1) Requirements for conferring a degree under Article 9(1) of the Act are as follows: <Amended on Jan. 10, 2023>
1. Where a learner intends to obtain a bachelor's degree or an associate degree for the first time, or where a person who has obtained an associate degree (including a person recognized as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than such degree) intends to obtain a bachelor's degree in the same or another major: The criteria for recognition of academic background under Article 13 shall be satisfied;
2. Where a person who has obtained a bachelor's degree (including a person recognized as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than such degree) intends to obtain another bachelor's degree or associate degree in the same or another major, or where a person who has obtained an associate degree (including a person recognized as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than such degree) intends to obtain another associate degree in the same or another major: The following credit standards shall be satisfied:
a. Bachelor's degree: At least 48 credits in major subjects;
b. Associate degree: At least 36 credits (42 credits where the period of study is 3 years pursuant to Article 57(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act) in major subjects.
(2) The head of a university, etc. may, pursuant to Article 9(2) of the Act, confer a degree on a person whose credits earned at the relevant university, etc. fall under any of the following subparagraphs; in such cases, he or she shall notify the head (hereinafter referred to as the "President") of the National Institute for Lifelong Education under Article 19 of the Lifelong Education Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute") of the list of such persons before conferring the degrees: <Amended on Sep. 25, 2015; Jan. 10, 2023>
1. A person who falls under paragraph (1)1:
a. Bachelor's degree: At least 84 credits;
b. Associate degree: At least 48 credits (65 credits where the period of study is 3 years pursuant to Article 57(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act);
2. A person who falls under paragraph (1)2:
a. Bachelor's degree: At least 48 credits;
b. Associate degree: At least 36 credits (42 credits where the period of study is 3 years pursuant to Article 57(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act).
Article 17(Standard curriculum) #
In order to comprehensively link matters concerning the criteria for evaluation and recognition under Article 5, the criteria for recognition of credits under Article 11, the criteria for recognition of academic background under Article 13, and the requirements for conferring degrees under Article 16, a standard curriculum including the following matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015>
1. Majors according to the types of degrees;
2. Liberal arts subjects, major subjects for each major, and the credits thereof;
3. Requirements for conferring degrees for each major.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 18 #
Deleted. <Sep. 25, 2015>
Article 19(Delegation and entrustment of business) #
(1) The Minister of Education shall delegate or entrust the following business to the Superintendent of Education or the head of an educational and training institution pursuant to Article 11 of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
1. Receipt of applications for recognition of credits under Article 10(1);
2. Receipt of applications for issuance of certificates of recognition of academic background under Article 12(1);
3. Receipt of applications for conferment of degrees under Article 15(1).
(2) The Minister of Education shall entrust the following business to the President pursuant to Article 11 of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015; Jan. 10, 2023>
1. Receipt of applications for evaluation and recognition under Article 3(2) and (3) of the Act and applications for recognition of changes in evaluated and recognized learning courses; investigation and verification of whether the criteria for evaluation and recognition are met under Article 4(2) and (3) of this Decree; and notification of whether to grant evaluation and recognition;
2. Receipt of reports on changes in minor matters under the proviso of Article 3(3) of the Act;
3. Receipt of reports on the abolition or temporary suspension of learning courses under Article 3(4) of the Act;
4. Establishment and implementation of re-evaluation plans under Article 4-2(2) of the Act, and investigation and inspection under paragraph (3) of the same Article;
5. Receipt of disclosed information and requests for and receipt of submission of materials under Article 6-2(1) and (2) of the Act;
6. Integrated management and disclosure of disclosed information under Article 8-2(2) and (3);
7. Receipt of applications for recognition of credits under Article 10, investigation and verification of the details of applications, and notification of whether to recognize credits;
8. Receipt of applications for issuance of certificates of recognition of academic background under Article 12, investigation and verification of the details of applications, and notification of whether to issue certificates of recognition of academic background;
9. Receipt of applications for conferment of degrees under Article 15, investigation and verification of the details of applications, and notification of whether to confer degrees;
Article 19-2(Handling of personally identifiable information) #
The Minister of Education (including those to whom the authority of the Minister of Education is delegated or entrusted pursuant to Article 19) may, if unavoidable to perform the following affairs, process data containing resident registration numbers or alien registration numbers under subparagraph 1 or 4 of Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 25, 2015; Jan. 10, 2023>
1. Affairs concerning evaluation and recognition under Article 3 of the Act;
2. Affairs concerning recognition of credits under Article 7 of the Act;
3. Affairs concerning recognition of academic background under Article 8 of the Act;
4. Affairs concerning the conferment of degrees under Article 9 of the Act.
[This Article Added on Jan. 6, 2012]
Article 20(Composition of the Credit Recognition Deliberation Committee) #
(1) The Credit Recognition Deliberation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established within the Institute to deliberate on the following matters: <Amended on Sep. 25, 2015; Jan. 10, 2023>
1. Matters concerning the evaluation and recognition of learning courses;
2. Matters concerning the recognition of credits and academic background;
3. Matters concerning the conferment of degrees;
4. Deleted; <Jan. 10, 2023>
5. Other matters that the Chairperson deems necessary and refers for deliberation.
(2) The Committee shall be composed of not more than 15 members, including one Chairperson and one Vice Chairperson.
(3) The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson shall be elected from among the members by mutual vote, and the members shall be appointed or commissioned by the President from among persons in academia, industry, educational administrative agencies, educational research institutes, or other educational and training institutions and organizations.
(4) Subcommittee committees by field and expert members may be separately established within the Committee.
(5) Matters necessary for the composition and operation of the Committee and subcommittees shall be determined by the Chairperson following deliberation by the Committee.
(6) Allowances and travel expenses may be paid to the members of the Committee and subcommittees and to expert members within the limits of the budget; provided, that this shall not apply where a member who is a public official attends in direct connection with his or her duties.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 21(Corrective orders to delegated or entrusted institutions) #
The Minister of Education shall, when he or she intends to order correction, etc. pursuant to Article 12(1) of the Act, notify the relevant delegated or entrusted institution of the details of the violation, matters to be corrected, the deadline for correction, etc., specifically in writing. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 27, 2011]
Article 21-2(Review of regulations) #
The Minister of Education shall review the feasibility of the following matters every 3 years (referring to the period before the same day as the base date of every 3rd year) based on the following base dates and take measures, such as improvement:
1. The criteria for revocation of evaluation and recognition and the period of suspension of operation of learning courses and restriction on application for evaluation and recognition under Article 7-3(1) and Appendix 1: January 1, 2022;
2. The scope, frequency, and timing of disclosure of information of educational and training institutions under Article 8-2(1) and Appendix 2: January 1, 2022.
[This Article Added on Mar. 8, 2022]
Article 22(Criteria for imposition of administrative fines) #
The criteria for the imposition of administrative fines under Article 13(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 4.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Sep. 25, 2015]