Normative Review of the Basic Academic Nucleus Figure in the Postgraduate Program in Mexican Autonomous Universities

Abstract

In order to achieve the consolidation of graduate programs, Higher Education Institutions (IES), since 2023, have redoubled their efforts to integrate their programs into the National Graduate System (SNP). The main objective is to obtain the support and resources provided by the Federal Government.
Among the evaluation criteria is the integration and qualification of Basic Academic Nucleus (NAB) in the postgraduate programs.
Although the IESs enjoys autonomy and regulatory independence, it has gradually adjusted to federal educational public policy. In particular, most graduate programs have adopted minimum parameters for integrating NABs and incorporated them into the regulations, functions, and attributions.
This research analyzes the regulations applicable to graduate programs at public universities in Mexican states using a systematic exploratory normative review methodology to determine the existence of normative provisions regulating the NAB figure.
The results show the relevance of updating not only the NAB figure but, in general, the regulatory framework of postgraduate programs in Mexican IESs to the policies of the SNP to ensure equity in the program evaluation processes and academic recognition of the community that integrates them.