• Third stage: the doctorat 3–5 years after the DEA or an equivalent degree.
Since 1967, all schools, colleges, and universities have been under close government supervision by the Ba'ath Party.
There are 5 state universities in Syria, and 11 private universities. The top two are University of Damascus (180,000 students), and University of Aleppo. One school is a joint Syrian-European program; the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA) offer undergraduate and gradudate degrees.
