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2011 National Household Survey: Data tables

Mother Tongue (8), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Highest Certificate, Diploma or Degree (15), Labour Force Status (8), Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Age Groups (10C) and Sex (3) for the Population Aged 15 Years and Over, in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey

About this variable: Highest certificate, diploma or degree (15)

Definition

Highest certificate, diploma or degree

Part A - Short definition
Information indicating the person's most advanced certificate, diploma or degree.

Part B - Detailed definition
Information indicating the person's most advanced certificate, diploma or degree. This is a derived variable obtained from the educational qualifications questions, which asked for all certificates, diplomas and degrees to be reported. The general hierarchy used in deriving this variable (high school graduation, trades, college, university) is loosely tied to the 'in-class' duration of the various types of education. At the detailed level, someone who has completed one type of certificate, diploma or degree will not necessarily have completed the credentials listed below it in the hierarchy. For example, a registered apprenticeship graduate may not have completed a high school certificate or diploma, nor does an individual with a master's degree necessarily have a 'certificate or diploma above the bachelor's level.' Although the hierarchy may not fit all programs perfectly, it gives a general measure of educational attainment.

Values

  1. Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree Footnote 1
  2. No certificate, diploma or degree
  3. High school diploma or equivalent Footnote 3
  4. Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree Footnote 4
  5. Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma Footnote 5
  6. Trades certificate or diploma (other than apprenticeship) Footnote 6
  7. Registered Apprenticeship certificate Footnote 7
  8. College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma
  9. University certificate or diploma below bachelor level Footnote 9
  10. University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above
  11. Bachelor's degree
  12. University certificate or diploma above bachelor level
  13. Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry
  14. Master's degree
  15. Earned doctorate Footnote 15

Footnotes

Footnote 1

'Highest certificate, diploma or degree' refers to the highest certificate, diploma or degree completed based on a hierarchy which is generally related to the amount of time spent 'in-class.' For postsecondary completers, a university education is considered to be a higher level of schooling than a college education, while a college education is considered to be a higher level of education than in the trades. Although some trades requirements may take as long or longer to complete than a given college or university program, the majority of time is spent in on-the-job paid training and less time is spent in the classroom.


For further definitions, refer to the National Household Survey Dictionary, Catalogue no. 99-000-X. For any comments on collection, dissemination or data quality for this variable, refer to the Education Reference Guide, National Household Survey, Catalogue no. 99-012-X2011006.

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Footnote 3

'High school diploma or equivalent' refers to graduation from a secondary school or equivalent. It excludes persons with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree.

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Footnote 4

'Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree' includes 'apprenticeship or trades certificates or diplomas', 'college, CEGEP or other non-university certificates or diplomas' and university certificates, diplomas and degrees.

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Footnote 5

'Trades certificate or diploma (other than apprenticeship)' includes trades certificates or diplomas such as pre-employment or vocational certificates and diplomas from brief trade programs completed at community colleges, institutes of technology, vocational centres, and similar institutions.

'Registered Apprenticeship certificate' includes Certificate of Qualification, Journeyperson's designation.

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Footnote 6

'Trades certificate or diploma (other than apprenticeship)' includes trades certificates or diplomas such as pre-employment or vocational certificates and diplomas from brief trade programs completed at community colleges, institutes of technology, vocational centres, and similar institutions.

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Footnote 7

'Registered Apprenticeship certificate' includes Certificate of Qualification, Journeyperson's designation.

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Footnote 9

Comparisons with other data sources suggest that the category 'University certificate or diploma below bachelor level' was over-reported in the National Household Survey (NHS). This category likely includes some responses that are actually college certificates or diplomas, bachelor's degrees or other types of education (e.g., university transfer programs, bachelor's programs completed in other countries, incomplete bachelor's programs, non-university professional designations). We recommend users interpret the results for the 'University certificate or diploma below the bachelor's level' category with caution.

For any other comments on data quality for this variable, refer to the Education Reference Guide, National Household Survey, Catalogue no. 99-012-X2011006.

Return to footnote 9 referrer

Footnote 15

'Earned doctorate.' This category refers to persons who have completed a doctorate degree awarded by a university. This includes, for example, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.). It does not include honorary doctorates.

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