In China's higher education system, degree authorization is divided into three levels: first-level discipline authorization, two disciplines authorization and professional degree authorization. Among them, the first-level discipline authorization is the highest-level degree authorization, which means that colleges and universities have the highest degree-granting right in this discipline.
First-class master's degree program is one of the necessary conditions for universities to carry out master's degree education. Only with the corresponding first-level discipline authorization can we obtain the master's degree authorization of this discipline. The quantity and quality of first-class master's degree programs is also one of the important indicators to measure the comprehensive strength of graduate education in a university.
To apply for a first-class master's degree program, certain conditions need to be met, including teacher requirements, scientific research achievements, teaching facilities, postgraduate training quality and so on. Colleges and universities need to submit application materials to relevant institutions, and only after examination and verification can they obtain the first-level discipline authorization.
Universities with first-class master's degree programs can independently carry out master's degree education in this discipline and independently set up graduate enrollment plans, training plans and teaching plans. There are also more rights to recommend and select research students.
In short, the first-class master's degree program is one of the important symbols of degree authorization in colleges and universities, representing the ability and comprehensive strength of master's degree authorization in a certain discipline. For students who want to be graduate students, choosing a university with a first-class master's degree in this field can get a higher level of graduate education and training.