credential inflation

English

Etymology

Coined by Randall Collins in 1979.

Noun

credential inflation (uncountable)

1. The phenomenon of academic credentials, particularly university degrees, dwindling in value and recognition on the job market due to easy availability and oversupply.
   • 2002, Steven G. Brint, The Future of the City of Intellect: The Changing American University‎^[1], Stanford University Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 24:

     The process of credential inflation is largely self-driven; it feeds on itself. A given level of education at one time gave access to elite jobs. As educational attainment has expanded, the social distinctiveness of that degree and its value on the occupational marketplace have declined; this in turn has expanded demand for still higher levels of education.

Related terms

• grade inflation

 

See also

• credentialism