Key Professionals Involved in the Evaluation

VAE Evaluation Team

Key Stakeholders in the VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) Evaluation Process.
VAE Evaluation: Involved Entities and Professionals
Key Professionals Involved in the Evaluation
VAE Evaluation Team

VAE Evaluation Committee

VAE Evaluators: Core Professionals in the Validation Process
• Key Stakeholders in the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) Assessment

The VAE Evaluation Committee is composed of highly skilled professionals and institutions dedicated to ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and rigor of the VAE assessment process. Their role is to evaluate each candidate’s experience fairly and thoroughly, upholding both academic and professional standards.

Ensuring a Fair and Comprehensive Evaluation

To maintain the highest level of credibility and fairness, it is essential to involve a diverse group of qualified evaluators. These professionals and entities work individually or collaboratively to assess VAE applications in accordance with established academic and industry criteria.

 
The VAE assessment process takes place on the last weekend of each month, spanning both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring a structured, transparent, and standardized evaluation schedule.

Applications submitted by VAE degree candidates from around the world to the International Higher Education Consortium Headquarters for VAE Evaluation Methods, Swiss Graduate School of Business (SGSB), Vevey Campus, and Geneva Head Office, Switzerland 🇨🇭 are thoroughly examined through a three-stage review process to ensure accuracy, fairness, and compliance with academic and professional standards. Once the final review is completed, a comprehensive evaluation report—including detailed assessments, the signatures of all evaluators, and the final approved candidates’ documents—is submitted to partner institutions with a formal recommendation for degree issuance.

Our general framework for who can apply for a VAE evaluation for Executive MBA or Doctorate, such as DBA, EDBA, Ph.D. Ph.D. or Postdoctoral degrees. Specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the institution and degree program.

1. Professional Position Category:

• Maximum Professional Position Level:

• Senior Executive/Manager, CEO, Founder, Managing Director, Senior Director, Executive Vice President, or equivalent positions in large organizations or startups.

• High-ranking professionals in international organizations, government bodies, or academic institutions.

• Minimum Professional Position Level:

• Mid-level manager or professional with several years of relevant experience, such as Department Head, Senior Manager, Project Manager, etc.

2. Minimum and Maximum Age:

• Minimum Age:

• Typically 30 years old, depending on the specific institution’s policy. Most programs are designed for professionals with substantial work experience.

• Maximum Age:

• There is no strict maximum age limit. However, the candidate should have sufficient time in their career to demonstrate a robust career trajectory and professional growth.

2. Minimum and Maximum Age:

• Minimum Age:

• Typically 30 years old, depending on the specific institution’s policy. Most programs are designed for professionals with substantial work experience.

• Maximum Age:

• There is no strict maximum age limit. However, the candidate should have sufficient time in their career to demonstrate a robust career trajectory and professional growth.

3. Qualified Work Experience:

• Minimum Work Experience:

• EMBA: Generally requires at least 5-10 years of relevant professional experience in leadership, management, or a specialized field.

• Doctorate: At least 10-15 years of significant professional experience, including management or highly specialized roles, showcasing expertise and leadership in their field.

• Relevant Work Experience:

• Experience in a managerial or leadership capacity, with a demonstrated ability to manage teams, projects, and strategic initiatives.

• For Doctorate candidates, work experience should also involve contributions to research or industry-specific advancements, such as published papers, patents, or significant innovations.

4. Additional Qualifications:

• Educational Background:

• For EMBA, candidates typically hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.

• For Doctorate, candidates may need a Master’s degree in a related field.

• Language Proficiency:

• Proficiency in the language of instruction (usually English), with evidence of fluency through certifications like TOEFL, IELTS, or a similar test.

• Professional Certifications (if applicable):

• Industry-specific certifications, executive training, or leadership programs can strengthen an application.

• Research, Project, Cases, Capstone Contributions (for Doctorates):

• Candidates for a Doctorate may need to present a portfolio of their professional work, publications, or contributions to their field. (if applicable):

5. Other Considerations:

• Demonstrated Leadership and Impact:

• Candidates must show significant contributions to their organizations or industries, including leadership in complex projects, innovation, and strategic planning through their submitted documents. 

• Recommendation Letters: (if applicable)

• High-level professional references (from top executives, clients, or academic mentors) who can vouch for the candidate’s professional achievements.

• Personal Statement/Essay and Strong motivation letter for the reason why apply through VAE degree: A statement outlining the candidate’s career trajectory, why they seek the degree, and how their experience qualifies them for the VAE evaluation.

• Commitment to Ongoing Professional Development:

• Evidence of continuing education or professional development throughout their career.

• if not sufficiently qualified for your own esteemed judgement, you may describe in more detail your motivation to persuade the jury team. 

 

Key Entities and Professionals Involved

Below are the key stakeholders responsible for evaluating and determining degree recognition through the VAE methodology:

VAE Evaluation Committee & Evaluators

Core Professionals in the Validation Process

Key Stakeholders in the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) Assessment

The VAE Evaluation Committee comprises highly skilled professionals and institutions dedicated to upholding the integrity, accuracy, and thoroughness of the VAE process. Their role is to ensure that every candidate’s professional experience is assessed with fairness, rigor, and alignment with academic and industry standards.

Comprehensive and Fair Evaluation Approach

To maintain a transparent and credible VAE assessment, a diverse panel of qualified individuals and institutions collaborate to evaluate applications comprehensively. This multi-perspective approach ensures that candidates receive recognition based on a balanced and professional assessment of their acquired experience.

Key Entities & Professionals in the VAE Evaluation Process

  1. University Senior Professors

    • Experienced faculty members from relevant academic departments assess whether the applicant’s experience meets the academic requirements for a degree.

  2. Accredited Educational Institutions

    • Recognized higher education institutions authorized by accrediting bodies to award degrees through VAE.

  3. VAE Committee

    • A specialized institutional committee comprising faculty, industry experts, and academic staff responsible for reviewing and approving VAE applications.

  4. Industry Experts

    • Professionals with extensive field experience who provide insights into the real-world application of the applicant’s skills and knowledge.

  5. Professional Associations

    • Industry-specific organizations that maintain professional standards and verify whether an applicant’s experience aligns with recognized qualifications.

  6. Third-Party Evaluators

    • Independent evaluators unaffiliated with the institution, providing objective assessments based on industry standards and academic benchmarks.

  7. Academic Advisors

    • Specialists in adult education and experiential learning who guide the evaluation process, ensuring alignment with academic frameworks.

  8. Educational Accreditation Bodies

    • Regulatory organizations overseeing the quality and compliance of higher education institutions with national or international standards.

  9. Human Resources Experts

    • HR professionals who assess professional qualifications, ensuring alignment with industry expectations and workplace competencies.

  10. Peer Review Panels

  • A group of professionals from the applicant’s field, providing an in-depth evaluation of experience relevant to the degree being pursued.
  1. Finance Department Manager
  • Oversees financial compliance and institutional procedures in the VAE process.
  1. Communication Department Manager
  • Ensures clarity, transparency, and structured communication throughout the evaluation process.

13-14. Heads of Two Institutions from Switzerland

  • Provide strategic oversight and ensure adherence to Swiss educational standards.
  1. Academic Dean of SGSB
  • Leads the academic validation and ensures the VAE process aligns with institutional policies and accreditation requirements.

By integrating expertise from academia, industry, and professional associations, the VAE process maintains its credibility, ensuring candidates receive fair recognition for their acquired experience.

Why Apply for a VAE Degree?

If you have significant professional experience but lack a formal academic qualification, our VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) degree offers you the opportunity to transform your expertise into a recognized degree.

✔ Gain the academic credentials you deserve
✔ Validate your professional achievements
✔ Enhance your career prospects
✔ Achieve recognition without starting from scratch

Don’t hesitate—take the first step in validating your experience through our examination and evaluation process.

 

C O N T A C T

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

Feel free to get in touch with us at: 

• VAE@sgsb.swiss 

• VAE.swissboard@gmail.com