When a student is applying for an international credential evaluation, the first question is “What documents will I need to proceed?” The simple answer is we require a diploma or a degree certificate that confirms the awarded degree and the date of completion, as well as a grade report or transcript that includes the names and grades received for all courses taken during the client’s time of study. The full answer, however, is not so straightforward. Each country has a unique education system, and we tailor our evaluations to ensure an accurate assessment based on these distinct systems. There are many different products and evaluation types, and as a result, each has a different set of requirements.
Types of Evaluations and Their Requirements
- Document Report
Document reports are the most basic type of evaluation and have the least amount of required documents. This evaluation will include the US equivalency, institutional accreditation and program entrance requirements. For this evaluation you will need to provide the following:
● Diploma/degree certificate that confirms the degree awarded and the program completion date.
- Course-by-Course Evaluation
Course-by-course evaluations are a more comprehensive view of an academic program. They include all the same information as document reports, as well as a GPA calculation and course grade and credit conversions. To receive a course-by-course evaluation, you must provide the following:
● Diploma/degree certificate
● Transcripts/grade reports that include all the courses taken during the duration of the program and the grades earned. This document may be broken into semesters, years or a consolidated list.
- Nursing Report
Lastly, IEE’s nursing reports are used by nursing boards to help clients move towards nursing licensure or continuing education in the USA. The requirements vary from state to state, but all nursing credentials must be issued directly by their issuing institutions. For more information on nursing evaluations, you may see more information for our partnering state boards here.
Provisional vs Official Evaluations
In addition to the different types of evaluations, we also offer Provisional and Official Evaluations. Understanding the difference is key to determining which is the best option for your needs.
Provisional Evaluations
Provisional evaluations are based on scans or photocopies of your documents. Provisional evaluations can be used for purposes such as employment and education, but are more commonly used for immigration and the military. These evaluations are commonly used because of the ease of providing documentation without the additional expense of postal or university fees. However, before proceeding with a provisional evaluation, it is encouraged that it be confirmed that the recipient will accept this type of evaluation, as official records are not being directly verified by IEE.
Official Evaluations
Official evaluations are based on either original documents, are verified by IEE or are based on documents provided directly from an institution or a third-party verification partner. The main purpose of these evaluations is for education. While the process of obtaining official documents can be difficult, official evaluations also confirm the validity of the documents based on the expertise of our verifications team.
Additionally, we also can complete official evaluations with scans in situations where the Ministry of Education or issuing university is able to verify the documentation received online via verification portals.
Determining Which Documents to Send
When determining what documentation is required for an evaluation, there is no universal answer that fits every situation. In order to provide accurate assessments in the quickest time, we encourage all students to review our document requirements for their specific country before beginning the evaluation process.
Secondary School Documentation
For secondary school credentials, determining the proper issuing authority can be difficult. Many clients will contact their high schools for documentation, but in many cases, this will not result in the best equivalency for their credentials. Oftentimes, to issue a full equivalency, IEE will require documents to come from the Ministry of Education or an external examination agency, depending on the country of education. IEE asks for these documents not only to confirm the completion of all necessary examinations and graduation requirements, but also to provide the best evaluation based on the complete academic experience of our clients.
Post-Secondary Documentation
University documents can be more self-explanatory about which institution should issue the documentation. Notable exceptions arise in countries such as India, where we are unable to accept documentation from affiliated schools or China, where documentation issued by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) is required. However, in many cases, IEE seeks to receive documentation directly from the school by post or in sealed envelopes issued by the school to confirm not only the documentation but that the correct issuing institution is providing the documentation.
We also can accept documentation via email rather than post, but all emails must meet our strict verification standards. To deem an email as verifiable, it must be either clearly listed on the institution’s website or belonging to the relevant department of the issuing institution.
In conclusion, international credential evaluation can be an overwhelming process for clients, so we strive to make our evaluation requirements as clear and concise as possible. By carefully reviewing the document requirements for your country and evaluation type, you can ensure a smooth and timely process. Whether you’re applying for further education, licensure, or immigration, providing accurate and complete documents is key so that we might help you pursue you academic and professional goals.
