International Degree Equivalency: Your Guide to Recognition

Did you know there are 19 services that check if your degree is the same as one in the U.S.? Also, there are 10 groups that help with this process. If you got your degree from a school outside the U.S., it’s key to know how to make it count in the U.S. for work or school.

Key Takeaways

Foreign education transcripts are not directly accepted for certain federal positions, requiring a credential evaluation process.
Credential evaluations in the U.S. are typically conducted by private, non-governmental entities for a fee.
The U.S. Department of Education does not evaluate foreign qualifications or degrees.
Regulated professions in the U.S. are generally licensed at the state level.
The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) are recognized associations that list reputable credential evaluation agencies.

What is Degree Equivalency Evaluation?

Degree equivalency evaluation checks if international degrees match U.S. education standards. It’s for people who got degrees from schools outside the U.S. and want their degrees recognized here. This is needed for jobs, more education, or getting a professional license.

Understanding the Need for Credential Assessment

In the U.S., many employers and schools need to check foreign degrees. This makes sure the degrees meet U.S. standards. It proves the person has the right skills and knowledge for the job or school.

Benefits of Obtaining an Evaluation

Shows your international degree is as good as a U.S. degree, important for jobs, school, and licenses.
Gives a detailed look at your school work, including each course and your GPA.
Makes applying easier by making your qualifications easy for U.S. places to understand.
Increases your chances of getting a job or into school with a trusted check of your credentials.

Statistic	Value
Individuals Served by ECE Since 1980	Over 800,000
Combined Experience of ECE Evaluators	More than 400 Years
Transnational Discount for Second Order	30%

Getting your degree checked can take time and be hard. But, using a trusted service can make sure your degree is seen as valuable in the U.S.

Authorities for Recognizing Foreign Qualifications

In the United States, different groups check and judge foreign school records and skills. These include educational institutions, employers, and state licensing boards. It’s key to know what these groups do for those looking to review global qualifications or check international school marks.

Educational Institutions

Many U.S. colleges and universities check foreign school marks and papers. They make sure these are as good as U.S. standards. This is mainly for international students wanting to study in the U.S.

Employers

U.S. employers often check if foreign degrees are the same as U.S. ones for job applicants. This makes sure the job candidate’s skills are up to U.S. standards. It helps in a fair job search process.

State Licensing Boards

For jobs like doctors, engineers, or teachers, state boards check foreign degrees. They make sure these degrees meet U.S. rules for a license. People might need to have their school records checked and get a report to show they’re qualified.

Authority	Role in Recognizing Foreign Qualifications	Key Considerations
Educational Institutions	Evaluate foreign transcripts and credentials for admission and enrollment purposes	Ensure equivalency with U.S. academic standards
Employers	Require overseas degree verification for job applicants with non-U.S. qualifications	Assess if foreign credentials meet the job requirements
State Licensing Boards	Evaluate foreign credentials for professional licensing and certification	Determine if qualifications meet state-specific requirements

“Getting a full credential check is key for people with non-U.S. school backgrounds wanting to move forward in their studies or careers in the United States.”

Seeking Admission to Study

Looking to get into a school? The one you’re applying to will check your past education and qualifications. Some places check these themselves, while others might send you to a credential evaluation service.

The way they check can change based on the school and the program you want. Here are some things to think about:

Learn what the school needs for degree recognition and international education equivalency.
See if the school checks credentials itself or if you need a third-party evaluation.
Know what documents and info the school wants from you.
Give yourself enough time for the evaluation, as it can take weeks or even months.

Do your homework on the admission needs for your program. This way, you can make your application smooth and successful. It’s key for getting international education equivalency and overseas degree recognition.

“The WES Mariam Assefa Fund focuses exclusively on economic inclusion and mobility for immigrants and refugees in North America.”

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit that helps immigrants, refugees, and international students. They offer credential evaluations and integration programs for inclusion in North America.

Applying for Employment

When looking for a job, the person in charge of checking your past education is usually the employer. Some employers, like those in government or very competitive fields, might suggest or even need you to use a certain global qualification review service to check your school records.

In the United States, most jobs require at least a high school diploma. But for government jobs and some special roles, employers want candidates with cross-border academic assessment and international experience. If you have a degree from another country, you’ll need a international transcript evaluation report for these jobs.

Employer Requirements for Credential Evaluation

Many companies list their job openings on their own websites before using job boards or search engines. Recruiters help fill job vacancies, and having a full LinkedIn profile helps you get noticed by these professionals.

Government jobs are very competitive, making the hiring process longer than in private companies.
Since 2020, more jobs have been done remotely, but where you live still affects your job search and networking.
Being in the same place as the job you want increases your chances of getting hired, as companies often prefer local candidates.

Credential evaluators are key in checking the school records of foreign students wanting to work in the United States. They take seriously any fake or changed documents to make sure the school records are real. They also check with schools to confirm the records.

“Credential evaluators usually offer three main types of evaluations: Course by Course Credential Evaluation, Educational Credential Evaluation (document by document), and Professional Work Experience Evaluation.”

Good credential evaluation agencies have a careful application process with clear document needs to make sure the evaluator and applicant are trustworthy. These services aren’t checked by a government agency. So, being part of reputable groups shows how good the service is.

Obtaining Professional Licensure

Getting a professional license in the U.S. can be tough if you have a degree from another country. But, with the right help and following state rules, you can get the license you need. This lets you work in your chosen field.

State Licensing Board Guidelines

Licenses for many jobs in the U.S. come from the state level. The state board is in charge of checking and accepting your foreign degree. It’s important for international students to know the rules of the state where they want to work.

To get your foreign degree checked, you might need to use a service like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). These services can help prove your degree is as good as one from the U.S.

If you want to work in fields like engineering, healthcare, or accounting, you’ll need your foreign degree checked by the state board. Following their rules and guidelines can help you get the license you need to work in the U.S.

“Getting a professional license in the U.S. with a degree from another country means you have to follow certain rules. Working with approved services and state boards can help prove your degree is equal to U.S. standards. This opens up new chances for your career.”

Choosing a Credential Evaluation Service

When looking for degree equivalency evaluation, foreign credential evaluation, or academic credential assessment, picking the right service is key. Since there’s no federal rule on these services in the U.S., it’s important to pick a trusted provider. They must be able to correctly check your qualifications.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Service

When checking out credential evaluation services, think about these points:

Accreditation and memberships: Find services that belong to groups like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).
Experience and expertise: Pick a provider that knows how to evaluate qualifications from your country or area.
Turnaround time: Look at how fast they can give you an evaluation report. It can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks.
Cost: Check the fees and see if they’re in line with what others charge.
Customer service: Choose providers known for good customer support.

Some top credential evaluators in the U.S. are Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF), Academic Evaluation Services (AES), and World Education Service (WES).

Credential Evaluator	Accreditation	Average Turnaround Time
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)	NACES charter member since 1987	2-3 weeks (previously 5 days pre-pandemic)
International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)	NACES member	1-4 weeks
Academic Evaluation Services (AES)	NACES member	1-4 weeks
World Education Service (WES)	NACES member	1-4 weeks

Think about these things to find a credential evaluation service that gives you accurate and trustworthy assessments. This will help you reach your educational or professional goals.

degree equivalency evaluation

Getting a degree equivalency evaluation is key for people with degrees from other countries. It helps them get recognized and open doors in the United States. This process checks how your foreign degree stacks up against American ones.

Each case is looked at differently, with various services having their own rules. But, there are some common things you’ll need. You’ll likely have to provide English translations of any documents not in English.

The time and cost to get your degree checked can change based on your situation and the service you pick. For instance, Trustforte is known for fast service, with most reviews done in 3-5 business days. They also offer quicker options. Their evaluations are trusted by many, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and professional groups.

Credential Evaluation Service	Key Features
Trustforte	Industry-leading turnaround times Recognized by USCIS and professional advisory boards Experienced evaluators and staff attorneys
World Education Services (WES)	Non-profit organization Focuses on economic inclusion and mobility for immigrants and refugees Provides digitized credential evaluation processes

The process of getting your credentials checked can take a while, sometimes months. The cost also depends on how complex your case is and what documents you provide. Make sure all non-English documents are translated into English before you send them in.

“The credential evaluation process was instrumental in helping me achieve my professional goals in the United States. It provided the recognition and validation I needed to pursue my desired career path.”

Cost and Timeline Considerations

Understanding the costs and timelines for foreign credential evaluation or academic credential assessment is key. These evaluations come with a price tag. The cost depends on how complex your case is and the documents you provide.

The credential evaluation process usually takes two to four weeks. This time frame varies based on how complete your information is, the type of report you need, and the complexity of your documents. If you’re in a hurry, some services offer rush options for a quicker turnaround. These fast-track services come with extra fees.

One-day rush service typically requires prior approval and payment by money order.
Evaluation files in good standing are kept active for three years, during which additional official evaluations can be requested for a nominal fee.
Payment must be made in full, in U.S. currency, by money order, cashier’s check, or personal check. International money orders are required for overseas payments.

ACEI (Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute) provides various evaluation services. These services cover academic, work, and immigration-related credentials. They offer detailed assessments for government agencies, businesses, schools, licensing boards, and individuals.

“ACEI guarantees individual assessment for each report to ensure thorough and accurate evaluation.”

Evaluation fees depend on the report type, like Basic, Comprehensive, or California Board of Accountancy Report. The timeline and cost can change based on the number of applications and the evaluation’s complexity.

Before starting, collect all needed documents. This includes official transcripts, certificates, diplomas, degrees, professional licenses, translations, and proof of any name changes. After completing the evaluation, ACEI will give you a detailed report. It will outline the conclusions and what your credentials are equal to.

Document Translation Requirements

When you need international transcript evaluation or worldwide education accreditation, you’ll often have to translate documents. Credential evaluation services usually ask for English translations of any non-English documents. This makes sure the information can be checked and reviewed correctly.

It’s a good idea to talk to the credential evaluation service you choose. Many of them offer translation services or can help you find the right way to get your documents translated. Remember, these translations must be professional, word-for-word, and signed by the translator to be accepted.

In most cases, you don’t need to translate documents for a WES credential evaluation in the United States.
For credential evaluations in Canada, WES needs English- or French-language translations for documents not in English or French.
WES doesn’t provide translation services, so you must arrange for them yourself.
Translations must be exact, clear, legible, and done by a professional translator.
WES won’t accept handwritten translations, photocopies, translations done by the applicant, incomplete translations, or original translations.

Getting your documents properly translated is key in the international transcript evaluation and worldwide education accreditation process. Following the rules set by the credential evaluation service helps make your application smoother and more likely to succeed.

Appeals Process for Evaluations

If you’re trying to get your overseas degree recognized, the appeals process is key if you disagree with the first review. Credential evaluation services have a process to handle any issues or challenges you might face with their advice.

If the evaluation doesn’t match your academic background, you should go through the appeals process. This usually means sending more documents or info to back up your case and ask for a re-check.

A student once applied for an MBA degree evaluation from Jaipur National University Rajasthan. They waited about 6 months for the evaluation report from World Education Services (WES). There was a mix-up in communication between WES and the university, which made the process slow. The final report said the university wasn’t recognized by WES.

But, the university said it was indeed recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India. Other graduates from there got good reviews from WES. The student then asked for a review through WES’s customer care, starting the appeals process.

Going through the appeals process can be tricky, and results differ among credential evaluation services. Members of groups like NAFSA follow strict ethics and get recertified often, which helps ensure the appeals process is reliable.

“The American Library Association (ALA) says a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or a similar master’s in library and information studies is the right degree for librarians.”

There’s no U.S. agency that checks or certifies foreign credential evaluation services. So, it’s key to look into the service’s reputation and history before choosing one for your degree recognition.

Knowing how the appeals process works and working with the evaluation service can help you get a fair and correct review of your qualifications. This can support your efforts in getting your overseas degree recognized and global qualification reviewed.

Country-Specific Degree Equivalencies

Understanding degree equivalencies across countries is key for those looking to study or work abroad. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) has the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE). This database helps figure out how foreign degrees match up with U.S. degrees.

Not every international bachelor’s degree is the same as a U.S. one. The process of cross-border academic assessment checks your education to see if it’s the same level as local degrees.

Key Statistic	Value
ECE’s Course by Course evaluation report is their #1 selling report	–
The evaluation report is valid for five years	–
Customers can order copies of the report during the five-year validity period	–
ECE sends regular reminders about the deadline for ordering report copies	–
Customers can log in to their account to check the status of their order	–

The ECE credential evaluation process has four main steps:

Confirmation of receipt of required documents
Review of document authenticity
Evaluation of document equivalency to U.S. or Canadian education standards
Issuance and distribution of the evaluation report

Checking qualifications from different countries needs deep knowledge and understanding of each country’s education system. Agencies like ECE have experts who know how to review documents from various countries.

“In 2020, there were over 6.3 million international students globally, highlighting the significant number of individuals pursuing education abroad.”

As the world connects more, the need for cross-border academic assessment and overseas degree verification grows. People looking for education or jobs abroad often need these assessments to make sure their degrees are recognized.

Conclusion

Understanding how to deal with degree equivalency is key for those with degrees from other countries. It helps you get into schools, jobs, or get professional licenses in the U.S. By knowing the steps and what you need, you can open up new chances and make your global degrees work in America.

When you’re looking at school, a job, or a professional license, getting your degree checked is important. Places like World Education Services (WES), International Education Evaluations (IEE), and EEE OF AMERICA can help. They make sure your degree meets the U.S. standards set by the USCIS.

Getting your degree recognized isn’t the same for everyone. You need to look into what you specifically need for your case. Working with experts in credential evaluation can help you understand the process better. This way, you can move forward with confidence and increase your chances of success.

FAQ

What is the process for evaluating foreign education for certain Federal positions?

For certain Federal jobs, like Civil Service or the Expanded Professional Associates Program, you must provide proof of your education. This includes copies of your transcript(s) and diploma(s). Foreign transcripts won’t be accepted. You need to get your foreign education evaluated by a credential service to qualify.

What credential evaluation services are recommended?

You can ask for an evaluation from a group like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). These groups have member organizations that can evaluate your foreign education.

Who are the competent authorities for recognizing previous education and qualifications?

Schools, employers, and state licensing boards can recognize foreign credentials. They might evaluate them directly or ask you to get an evaluation.

How do I get my foreign credentials evaluated for admission to an educational institution?

The school you want to attend is in charge of checking your foreign credentials. Many schools check them themselves. Others might ask you to get an evaluation from a service.

What are the requirements for having my foreign credentials evaluated for employment?

Employers decide if they need your foreign credentials evaluated. Some employers will tell you which service to use.

How do I get my foreign credentials evaluated for professional licensure?

For licenses in the U.S., it depends on the state. State licensing boards check foreign qualifications. They have their own ways of doing this.

How do I choose a credential evaluation service?

Pick a service recommended by your employer, school, or state board. If none is suggested, look online for a service that can help.

What are the factors to consider when selecting a credential evaluation service?

Each evaluation is unique and looks at different things. Services have their own ways of checking credentials.

What is the cost and timeline for a credential evaluation?

Evaluations cost money and take time. The price and time depend on how complex your case is and the documents you provide.

What are the document translation requirements for credential evaluations?

You’ll need English translations of any documents not in English. Check with the service you choose. They might offer translation help or advice on what to do next.

What is the appeals process for credential evaluations?

If you’re not happy with an evaluation, most services have an appeal process. Use the service’s appeal process if you need to.

How do I determine degree equivalencies across different countries?

For comparing degrees from different countries, use AACRAO EDGE. It’s a guide from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.