Higher Education is offered at one public university and ten private universities. The Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala /USAC is the oldest university in Central America and is state operated. The nine private universities are: Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Universidad Rafel Landivar, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Universidad Mariano Gálvez, Universidad del Istmo, Universidad Galileo, Universidad Rural, Universidad Panamericana,  Universidad Mesoamericana and Universidad San Pedro de Guatemala.

A diploma testifying to the completion of "Diversificado" or High School is required for admission to any of the above universities. All of them also require that applicants take an admission exam. Completion of foreign secondary education is also acceptable for university entrance.

Most universities grade on a scale from 0-100, with a minimum passing grade of 61.

Students may opt of any of the following degrees:

• Técnico/Profesorado (Associate Degree): This is a 3 year program, resembling those of a community college in the United States. The focus is on general course study with concentration on a specific area.

• Licenciatura (B.A or B.S.): This program varies from 5-6 years of undergraduate study, usually completed with a thesis and an oral exam, public exam. However, it is more and more common practice that a university will award this degree upon completion of te first year of study in a Master's program. A student who is a Licenciado is considered to be a professional/expert in his/her field of study.

• Maestria (M.A. or M.S.): This is an academic degree awarded after completing a 1 1/2 - 2 years of graduate studies. Master's programs are still considered to be too costly, and although more and more students are enrolling in Master's programs, it is usually the more economically privileged, the availability of financial aid, or high-paying job that allows the student to comply easily with the fees.

• Doctorado (Doctorate): The minimum time for completing a Ph. D is usually 2-4 years after completing a Master's degree. Generally it is divided in course work as well as research.

On February 13, 1947 a law was created stating that any professional that wanted to practice his/her profession must be registrared in the Professional Association of his/her specific area.

The core center for Professional Associations is called Asamblea de Presidentes de los Colegios de Profesionales de Guatemala (Assembly of Presidents for Professional Associations of Guatemala)(http://www.asambleadepresidentescolprof.org/).

Governing Body of Guatemalan Educational System: Ministry of Education: : www.mineduc.gob.gt

Council of Private Higher Education: http://www.ceps.edu.gt/