Credentialism and degree inflation

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Credentialism and degree inflation are processes that result in an inflation of demand for educational qualifications, and the devaluation of these educational qualifications.

Credentialism or professionalization is the growing protection of professions in modern societies by demanding formal qualifications or certifications.

Degree inflation, also called credential inflation, academic inflation, and credential creep, is the devaluation of educational or academic credentials over time, and a corresponding decrease in the expected advantage given a degree holder in the job market, due to an excess of higher educated people who compete for too few jobs that require these degrees. It has also led to grade inflation, a trend to award higher grades for accomplishment of the same quality.