How to Evaluate Foreign Education & Professional Credentials

Many foreign students travel to the United States to further their education or to start their careers. Colleges and employers need to know how applicants' degrees and certifications measure up to what is expected of American students, especially when the comparisons aren't clear. The U.S. Department of Education has not set any standards. However, the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Education Credentials has been in existence since 1955 and is considered to be the standard. Private organizations are also equipped to handle these sorts of questions.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an evaluator. One site to guide you through that process is NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. Their site, nafsa.org, has a resources library to help colleges and universities choose the right evaluator. It says that choosing an international credential evaluator is similar to choosing any other professional service. As an institution, consider who will be paying for the evaluation. Will it be the student or the institution? What kind of information will you need? How will you use the comparison?

    • 2

      Decide what's important. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers offers foreign credential evaluation as well. The organization's International Education Services has been operating for nearly four decades, and its evaluators have an average of 14 years experience. Another clearinghouse includes trade organization National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Its members follow strict ethical guidelines. By choosing a member of this organization, you can see exactly what evaluation standards will be followed.

    • 3

      Don't lower your standards. The key throughout this process is to ensure that foreign students are given the same quality of care as American students. If American students need to hit a certain benchmark, then it is important that the foreign student meets that same benchmark after credentials are evaluated. That's why it is important to ensure that the evaluation service knows your specific needs and can meet them.

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