Academic credential evaluation plays a significant role in the lives of international students and immigrants, particularly when they are pursuing higher education or seeking employment in the U.S. or Canada. It is our privilege and honor at Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) to see and hear about the impact of the work we do every day. Additionally, ECE® Aid assists forcibly displaced people and others struggling to access higher education or employment.
Whether a student was just admitted to a university program, or a newly arriving immigrant finds work in their chosen field of study, the stories we hear make our work even more meaningful. In short, a credential evaluation can have a very real, positive impact on an individual, their family, and their community.
The Impact of Credential Evaluations
Here are some ways in which credential evaluation can impact the lives of the individuals we serve:
- Admission to Educational Institutions: Many educational institutions require international students to submit their academic credentials for evaluation. The evaluation helps the institution understand the equivalency of the student's qualifications from their home country to those required for admission. Equally important, the evaluation also helps to determine the authenticity of the academic documents. One of countless examples of the impact on admission decisions can be heard from this applicant from Colombia: “I arrived in the U.S. to complete my educational dreams after several years. [With a credential evaluation] I have access to more opportunities that help me to reduce time and money in my current degree program.”
- Course Placement and Credit Transfer: Credential evaluation helps determine the placement of international students into appropriate courses or programs. It also facilitates the transfer of credits earned at their home institutions to the host institution, ensuring that students do not have to retake courses they have already completed. As one ECE® applicant from Ukraine stated, “It is hard to start over when you move to a different country. And knowing that your efforts and hard work are worth something here is HUGE. I can’t wait to continue my education.”
- Employment Opportunities: When international students graduate and seek employment in a foreign country, their academic credentials might need to be evaluated for equivalency to the local educational standards. This evaluation may be required by employers to assess the qualifications of international candidates accurately. Employment opportunities are one way credential evaluations can almost immediately impact the individual and community. One ECE® applicant told us, “I think it was important to get the ECE® evaluation to prove my education for future employers. I was very glad that ECE supports new immigrants with a service aimed to put us in the adequate place in the job market where we can best contribute and give back to this new community that is receiving us.”
- Professional Licensing and Certification: For certain professions, such as medicine, law, engineering, or teaching, international students may need to obtain professional licensing or certification in the country where they wish to work. Credential evaluation is often a prerequisite for this process, ensuring that their qualifications meet the necessary standards.
- Immigration Processes: Credential evaluation may also be required as part of immigration processes, such as applying for visas or permanent residency. Immigration authorities use the evaluation to confirm the educational background of the applicant and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for entry or residency.
- Access to Financial Aid and Scholarships: Some financial aid programs and scholarships for international students may require a credential evaluation to assess the academic qualifications of applicants accurately. An evaluation can help determine eligibility for various forms of financial assistance. ECE can provide General with a Grade Point Average or Course-by-Course evaluations of secondary level studies in many of these cases. Often, scholarships are awarded based on an applicant’s grade point average. Thus, the impact can be substantial for newly arriving immigrants and students who may have very limited finances.
- Social Integration and Cultural Adjustment: Beyond the practical implications, credential evaluation can also impact the social and cultural integration of international students. Having their qualifications recognized and validated in their host country can boost their confidence and sense of belonging, facilitating smoother adjustment to a new academic and social environment
Finding Success
Credential evaluation performs an important role in facilitating the mobility and success of international students by ensuring that their qualifications are understood and accepted in their host country. It can significantly impact their educational and career opportunities, as well as their overall experience of studying and living abroad. Through our mission-driven work, ECE continues to provide more access to higher education and employment opportunities by ensuring that educational qualifications are fairly and accurately recognized across borders.