Educational Credentials in Employment - A Nationwide Survey

Sep 14, 2026

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A nationwide survey examines how educational credentials shape employment practices in private sector companies and institutions. In September 1983, surveys were sent to 1,500 members of the American Society for Personnel Administration, with 643 completed responses returned. Findings report that most employers place major or moderate emphasis on credentials, quantify the share of employees in roles below high school level, and describe how many companies request copies of applicants’ credentials and transcripts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

ED 291896 AUTHOR TITLE INSTITUTION PUB DATE NOTE PUB TYPE EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTCRS # IDENTIF1ERS ABSTRACT # DOCUMENT RESUME Malizio,Andrew G.;Whitney,Douglas R. # Educational Credentials in Employment:A NationwideSurvey.GED Research Brief. American Council on Education,Washington,DC.GEDTesting Service.May 855p. Reports -Research/Technical(143) MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. Academic Records;*Credentials;*Documentation;*Educational Attainment;*Educational Certificates;*Employment Practices;National Surveys;PersonnelPolicy;*Personnel SelectionPrivate Sector A nationwide survey examined the role of educationalcredentials in the employment practices of private sector companiesand institutions.In September 1983,surveys were mailed to a randomsample of 1,500 members of the American Society for PersonnelAdministration.A follow-up mailing was conducted a month later.Atotal of 643 compJeted surveys(43 percent)were returned.Finance,insurance,and real estate companies were slightly overrepresented inthe sample,and wholesale and retail companies were probablyunderrepresented.More than 90 percent of those responding placeeither a major or moderate emphasis on educational credentials,withlarger companies tending to emphasize them more than sma].ler companies.Overall,about 18 percent of the employees covered in thestudy are_working in positions that require less than a high schooldiploma.Twenty-three percent of the responding companies have nojobs that require less than_a high school diploma.About half of thecompanies in the study sample have fewer than 8 percent of theiremployees in jobs requiring less than a high school diploma,andapproximately 15 percent of the companies have 50 percent or more oftheir employees in such jobs,About 38 percent of the employees areworking.in positions requiring a high school diploma or equivalencycredential,and about 16 percent of the positions require certification beyond the high school level.About 25 percent of thosesurveyed request a copy of job applicants'educational credentials,and nearly 40 percent request a copy of applicants'educationaltranscripts.(MN) ★from the original document. *************************★**★★*★★*★*★*********★*************★★********** UB DEPAATMENT OF EDUCATIONEQUCATONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER(ERIC) # Educational Credentials in Employment:A Nationwide Survey □Ths document has been reproduced arecerved from the perion or org8,izationonOrnating it 口Minor chanoe hw een made oinproyereproducton qualty Andrew G.Malizio and Douglas R.WhitneyAmerican Council on Education Ponts ol vew oropinionsstated inths document do nol necesrly represent ofcIIOERI positor or policy ## ABSTRACT This nationwide survey was designed to determine the roleof educational credentials in the employment practices ofcompanies and institutions in the private sector.Fifteenhundred members of the American Society for Personnel Ad-ministration were asked to indicate their company's em-phasis on educational credentials in its emp'oyinent practicesand to rate the importance of var sus skills and attitudes formost employees in jobs that require not more than a highschool diploma or equivalency credential.Employers re-ported placing considerable emphasis on educational cre-dentials.About one-fourth of the companies have no jobs foradults with less han a high school diploma or equivalencycredential.At approximately half of the companies,personshired with less than a high sch liploma can enhance theiropportunities for promotion wy obtaining a high schoolequivalency credential. 66819203 ## INTRODUCTION During fall 1983,the American Council on Education's Of-fice on Educational Credit and Credentials conducted anationwide survey entitled Educational Credentials in Em-ployment.²The study was co-sponsored by the AmericanSociety for Personnel Administration(ASPA)and theAmerican Society for Training and Development(ASTD).The survey focused on t

FAQs

What is the purpose of the nationwide survey?

The survey determines the role of educational credentials in private sector employment practices and how employers emphasize credentials for jobs requiring no more than a high school diploma or equivalency.

How was the survey conducted in 1983?

In September 1983, surveys were mailed to a random sample of 1,500 ASPA members; the person responsible for hiring completed the questionnaire, followed by an October follow-up mailing.

What were the main findings about employers’ emphasis on educational credentials?

Respondents reported placing major or moderate emphasis on educational credentials, and the study quantified the distribution of employees across positions requiring less than a high school diploma, high school/equivalency, and certification beyond high school.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Callum