Academic Degree Degree Level PSC 3

Question 1

Which federal agency sets the academic degree qualification standards used in Degree Level PSC examinations?

Accepted Answer

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Answer

OPM is responsible for establishing and maintaining qualification standards for federal civil service positions.

Question 2

An applicant earned a bachelor's degree from a foreign university. What must they typically provide to meet PSC degree-level requirements?

Accepted Answer

An evaluation by an accredited credential evaluation service

Answer

OPM requires foreign degrees to be evaluated by a credential evaluation organization to confirm U.S. equivalency.

Question 3

In the PSC context, 'closely related' coursework typically refers to college credits that are:

Accepted Answer

Directly relevant to the duties of the position being filled

Answer

Coursework is considered 'closely related' when its subject matter directly pertains to the knowledge and skills required by the job.

Question 4

Which degree level is most commonly the minimum requirement for a federal attorney position in a Degree Level PSC announcement?

Accepted Answer

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Answer

Federal attorney positions require the first professional law degree (J.D.) as the baseline academic qualification.

Question 5

When a PSC vacancy announcement lists 'GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree,' what does 'equivalent doctoral degree' typically include?

Accepted Answer

Three full academic years of progressively higher graduate education

Answer

OPM equates three full academic years of graduate study to a doctoral degree for GS-11 qualification purposes.

Academic Degree Practice Test