licenciados

Licenciados is a term used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to people who hold a licenciatura, an undergraduate university degree awarded after completing prescribed studies in a given field. The licenciatura is typically the first degree granted by universities and, depending on the country, may be equivalent to what is called a bachelor’s degree. The length of study and the exact requirements vary, often ranging from four to six years.

In everyday speech, the term licenciado (masculine) or licenciada (feminine) is also used as a professional title for graduates, similar to a courtesy prefix, and in some professions (such as law) it can be connected to a professional license. The plural licenciados refers to graduates as a group.

With the Bologna Process and other educational reforms in Europe, many institutions now award degrees labeled as grado (bachelor) and máster (master); however, individuals who earned a licenciatura before or outside the reform may still identify as licenciados. In Latin America, the licenciatura remains widespread as the standard undergraduate degree, and licenciados may work in fields such as education, public administration, journalism, or business; professional licensure or certification may be required to practice in regulated professions.

Overall, licenciados denotes those who completed a university-level degree and, depending on jurisdiction, may also hold or seek professional licensure to practice in regulated fields.