St. Linus University

The Code de l'Education France, Article L731-1, states: "Associations legally formed for the purpose of higher education may freely open higher education courses and establishments, under the sole conditions prescribed by this title.") Regarding Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE), if the purpose of such recognition is to continue education, it is known as academic recognition (this does not apply to VAE). If the purpose is that of exercising a profession, it is known as professional recognition (this applies to VAE). Hence, private higher education institutions in France, such as École Supérieure Universitaire St. Linus (ESUSL®), must clearly indicate in their names to the effect that they are privately owned institutions. The academic titles we grant (under the French Education Code: Book VII, Title III) through VAE (as a French Association) are identical to those gained by conventional study (not to be compared, of course, or not to be confused with what Sorbonne Université, a public university in France is offering); and any mention of VAE in those titles is prohibited by law. ​​All universities and other higher education institutions in France are legally required to apply the VAE (the Validation of Acquired Experience) if requested. There is no system whereby the certificats d’enseignement supérieur privés consisting of VAE assessment delivered by distance learning can receive endorsement, accreditation or validation from the French Ministry of Education. Hence, apart from a few exceptions (i.e., a few private schools or schools dependent on chambers of commerce and industry issue their own diplomas; some are registered in RNCP: the national register of vocational certifications), there is no regulatory equivalence between French diplomas and diplomas awarded in other countries. By law, anyone, regardless of their legal age, nationality, profession, status, and level of training, who has at least 1 year of experience directly related to the equivalency of the desired certification, may apply for the VAE.

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Les certificats de l'ESUSL® stand on its own merits as legally-issued private degrees--including honorary degrees: honoris causa, laurea ad honorem, ad eundem, jure officii, and juri dignitatis: Master of Arts (A.M.), Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), Doctor of Science (S.D.), Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), Doctor of Literature (Litt.D.), Doctor of Music (Mus.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.), and Doctor of Arts (Art.D.) are--comparable to similar private degrees issued in other European countries, notably, Switzerland. An authorization to operate private schools in the field of higher education, such as business schools, is no longer required in Geneva. In general, private establishments as well as the diplomas that they award are not recognized by the Swiss Confederation nor by the Canton of Geneva. The authorization to operate delivered by Service de l’enseignement privé cannot therefore be considered as recognition or certification. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), through the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) Directorate, Switzerland, issued an Office Circular (December 2017) nationwide regarding the validity of degrees issued by private higher education institutions in Switzerland (including the 26 Swiss cantons: with reference to the principle of economic freedom: Article 27 of the Swiss Constitution of 1999, and Article 26 of the Vaud Constitution of 2003). It reads: "As a general rule, no prior authorization is required in order to offer higher education courses, organize examinations or issue private degrees." In the same manner, a degree is considered 'national' in France when it is recognized, meaning, 'accredited' by the State. According to Campus France, when a degree is not recognized by the State: it bears the name of the institute that awarded it (les titres délivrés en leur nom propre); and/or the titles are issued by establishments in a network (les titres délivrés par des établissements en réseau). It may have value on the job market, but does not provide an equivalence enabling the bearer to continue his/her studies. Regardless, the value of VAE is the world of work. The system of academic awards is adapted in each case to reflect the needs of the candidate. Maine, for instance, on the Licensing Privately Owned Correspondence Schools, exempted privately-owned nonprofit correspondence schools from licensing under Maine Department of Education Rule #05-071, CMR 150, 2A. Also, Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) statute, HRS Chapter 305J, does not apply to "Schools that offer courses exclusively through online and distance education." Having said all these, recognition for the purpose of credit transfer, degree admission, or any form of academic acknowledgement (cf. state approval) is, ultimately, the prerogative of the receiving institution or party.​

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​Private HEIs in France may grant academic titles (article L-731-14 of the Code of Education). They are prevented, however, from using the designation “université,” and certain academic titles (baccalaureat, licence, master and doctorat) are forbidden from use on pain of fines. Other academic titles (DEUG- Diplome d’etudes universitaires Generales degree [associate degree], the Maîtrise es Letters [bachelor of arts degree], the Maîtrise es Sciences [bachelor of science degree], the Maîtrise en administration des affaires [bachelor of business administration degree], the Mastaire [master's degree] and the diplome de Ph.D [doctoral degree] with the French DEA, DECS, DESE, and DESS degrees) may be used freely by an établissement d'enseignement supérieur privé (as per articles D.612-32-2 and D.612-34 of the French Education Code). Our degrees via VAE, like all EAU degrees, are covered by the UNESCO Conventions on the international recognition of credentials and may be designated as representing any postsecondary level of achievement and any degree title that is permitted by the law. Certificats d’enseignement supérieur privés are covered by the Lisbon Convention (Article IV.8) on the recognition of credentials in Europe and may be designated as representing any postsecondary level of achievement. Validation arrangements are linked to the national qualification framework. Some private technical higher education institutions (that is, specialized schools and institutes: specific programs) can also be recognized by the State (for example, for training preparing to pass the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur: BTS - Advanced Technician's Diploma). In this context, only the training is recognized and not the institution itself. The Ministry of Education in France ''recognizes'' private schools, when they sign a contract with the State after 5 years in good standing. On the whole, each body issuing qualifications (with the exception of regulated professions, see the French National Framework) is responsible for its own rules of implementation accordingly with the principles set out in the legislation. So, the Law allows private HEIs to confer degrees in their own name. Because State accreditation is not mandatory, the certificates may or may not be recognized by the State. Appreciation of the value of private degrees (for unregulated professions) is left up to employers. The EU Directive 2005/36/EC, on the recognition of professional qualifications, requires EU Member States to recognise the respective professional qualifications as equivalent in principle and grant free access to the labour market to professionals. This Directive was amended in 2016 by Directive 2013/55/EU--which applies only to professionals who want to pursue the same profession in another Member State. (Cf. Private higher education in France and the National directory of professional certifications.) Lastly, all private schools, regardless of their relations with the State, are subject to inspection.

The VAE degree certificat/diplôme is accompanied with a diploma supplement.

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