Navigating Education in Ghana: WASSCE, Higher Education, and US Equivalency

Ghana, a West African nation, is known for its political stability and thriving economy, driven by sectors such as agriculture, mining, and oil. Equally important is its commitment to education The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) plays a crucial role in Ghana’s education system. Administered at the end of Senior High School (SHS), the WASSCE determines students' readiness for further education and serves as a gateway to universities in Ghana and abroad. For students seeking opportunities in the U.S., proper credential evaluation is critical to ensuring their academic achievements are accurately recognized.

Ghana’s education system offers a comprehensive path for students, from primary school through to tertiary institutions, which include universities, polytechnics, and teacher training colleges. As these students pursue international academic opportunities, especially in the U.S., services like MotaWord are instrumental in providing accurate and reliable credential evaluations. By translating academic achievements into U.S. equivalency, MotaWord ensures that students from Ghana can transition seamlessly into U.S. higher education institutions, opening doors to broader educational and professional opportunities.

This blog delves into the structure of Ghana’s education system, the critical role of the WASSCE in shaping the futures of Ghanaian students, and how expert services like MotaWord facilitate the global recognition of Ghanaian academic credentials.

The WASSCE in Ghana: Structure of Secondary Education in Ghana

Ghana’s educational system follows a 6-3-3-4 structure, consisting of 6 years of primary school, 3 years of Junior High School (JHS), 3 years of Senior High School (SHS), and 4 years of university. After JHS, students sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which determines their eligibility for SHS. Upon completing SHS, students take the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), administered by WAEC, as the final assessment.

WAEC administers the WASSCE in Ghana, offering a standardized curriculum consisting of core subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Science, along with elective subjects based on the students' academic focus. The grading system ranges from A1 (excellent) to F9 (fail). Both school candidates and private candidates can take the exam, with private candidates often reattempting after previous attempts or seeking certification independently.

Despite its importance, challenges such as exam malpractice and disparities in educational resources persist. However, WAEC and the Ghanaian government have introduced reforms aimed at enhancing exam security and improving access to resources, ensuring fairness in the examination process for all students.

Higher Education in Ghana

Ghana's tertiary education system is comprised of universities, polytechnics, and teacher training colleges, offering a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications. The undergraduate level leads to a Bachelor’s degree, typically completed in four years, while Master’s programs last one to two years, and Doctorate (PhD) programs require at least three years of research and coursework.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formed from the merger of the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and the National Council for Tertiary Education, oversees the accreditation and regulation of all tertiary institutions. GTEC ensures that academic standards are maintained across both public and private universities, polytechnics, and colleges. Popular degree programs include business, engineering, law, education, and health sciences. Students have multiple pathways depending on their academic and professional goals. Vocational training institutions, including polytechnics, focus on technical and practical skills, awarding Higher National Diplomas (HND), while universities offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.

For students in teacher training colleges, diplomas in education are a common qualification, which may lead to further education or directly into teaching positions. Ghana's higher education system is designed to cater to both academic and professional advancement, with opportunities for further studies locally and abroad.

How to Evaluate Academic Credentials from Ghana

Recognizing WASSCE from Ghana in the US

Ghana’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is crucial for university admissions, both within the country and internationally. For students seeking to study in the U.S., credential evaluation (academic evaluation) is required to determine how WASSCE results and Ghanaian degrees compare to U.S. educational standards. This evaluation involves translating academic records and grading scales into equivalents that U.S. institutions understand.Proper documentation is essential during this process, including WASSCE certificates and transcripts from secondary and tertiary institutions. Check out this guide on the top 10 mistakes to avoid in academic evaluations for helpful insights.

Missing or improper documentation can lead to delays or incorrect assessments, which may hinder a student’s admission prospects. Therefore, ensuring that all documents are complete and accurate is critical. If you are unsure about what documentation is required, ask us and our team of experts will be able to provide guidance.

MotaWord offers a streamlined solution for students seeking to have their WASSCE and Ghanaian higher education credentials evaluated for U.S. admissions. Through expert analysis and thorough assessments, MotaWord ensures that students' academic achievements are properly recognized. MotaWord’s platform simplifies the credential evaluation process, translating WASSCE results and Ghanaian degrees into U.S. equivalency, allowing students to seamlessly transition into higher education abroad.

Evaluating Post-Secondary Degrees from Ghana

While some tricky situations do exist, in general evaluating academic credentials from Ghana is extremely straightforward. Bachelor’s degrees from Ghana are equivalent to Bachelor’s degrees in the US, but there are some things to look out for when evaluating these degrees. In Ghana, Bachelor’s are four-year programs but not everyone requires four years of coursework to complete their Bachelor’s. This is because there are multiple routes to obtaining advanced standing entry into a bachelor’s program in Ghana. One of the most common is for students who completed A-levels before entering university. These students are able to enter at the 2nd year level and complete their four-year programs in three years. It is vital for evaluators to note this distinction in the evaluation, which is why it is crucial to submit evidence of A-Levels alongside the Bachelor’s degree diploma and transcripts in order for the evaluator to properly analyze the degree. Moreover, Ghana has options for other post-secondary diploma programs such as the Higher National Diploma and other certificate/diploma programs that vary in length from one to three years. Any of these completed before a Bachelor’s could allow advanced standing admission into a Bachelor’s program.

On their own, however, the Higher National Diploma and other post secondary diplomas are considered less than a Bachelor’s degree in the US. Such programs that are two years or more in duration can be compared to US Associate’s Degrees whereas one-year programs are only equivalent to a year of undergraduate coursework in the US.

At the graduate level, Master’s degrees from Ghana are equivalent to Master degrees in the US. However, Postgraduate Diplomas or Certificates, which are typically one-year programs, are not equivalent to a full Master’s degree in the US. Explore this U.S. education guide for foreign students to navigate academic paths with confidence.These credentials are comparable to one year of graduate coursework.

Ghana also has doctoral-level programs and professional degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy from Ghana is equivalent to a US PhD. Ghana also offers “Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery” (MB ChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees. These degrees require a prior Bachelor of Science in Medical Science for entry. The programs require three years of intensive training and coursework in Medicine or Dentistry, respectively, and are equivalent to professional degrees in Medicine (M.D.) and Dentistry (D.D.S.) in the US.

Conclusion

Ghana’s educational system, with its structured approach from Junior High School to higher education, is integral to the country’s academic and professional development. The WASSCE plays a pivotal role in shaping students' futures, both domestically and internationally, as it serves as the primary qualification for higher education. For students seeking opportunities in the U.S., accurate credential evaluation is essential to ensure their academic achievements are properly recognized.

MotaWord provides expert services to simplify this process, ensuring that WASSCE and Ghanaian degree credentials are correctly translated into U.S. equivalency. By offering a streamlined, professional evaluation process, MotaWord helps students from Ghana pursue higher education abroad seamlessly. Understanding the nuances of Ghana’s higher education system and its credentials is key to ensuring a smooth transition into U.S. universities, making proper documentation and evaluation critical for success. Whether evaluating undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees, MotaWord ensures that academic credentials are recognized and valued, opening doors to international academic opportunities.

Mark Rogers - Head of Evaluation Services at MotaWord

Mark is a credentials evaluator expert with over five years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated a keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of international education systems, contributing to his reputation as a trusted authority in the field of credentials evaluation.