What Is a Transcript Evaluation?

Exploring opportunities in a new country is an exciting way to expand your academic and professional journey. When transitioning to a new academic system in your new country, you may need to submit documentation for a transcript evaluation.

Transcript evaluations, also known as foreign transcript evaluations or credential evaluations, essentially show how your educational experiences in your country relate to recognized equivalencies in the United States. Discover more about transcript evaluations and what evaluators look for when reviewing documents.

What is a transcript evaluation?

You may need a transcript evaluation when a school or organization needs to assess prior coursework you have taken and how it compares to existing degree requirements within the United States. The process also includes a comparison of grades and how they align with the grades used in the US system. 

This evaluation can be useful when you’re interested in attending a graduate program, obtaining a specific employment position, or transferring previously earned credits to a US institution. Typically, a transcript evaluation is needed if your academic record comes from an institution not recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

A transcript evaluation primarily applies to international students who want to study in the US and need to prove any prior academic work, such as a degree or a set of coursework. A transcript review applies to US transfer students who are interested in transitioning to a new program or school, and who want their previous coursework applied toward their new course of study.

What’s in a transcript evaluation?

A transcript evaluation is more than just a casual glance at your grades. It’s a meticulous process with several critical components:

Verification and accreditation 

The evaluator confirms the authenticity of your transcripts. This helps ensure you actually completed the courses you said you took—and that you took them at an accredited institution.

Evaluation of educational standards 

Different institutions and countries have varied educational standards. The evaluator checks whether your education meets the specific criteria of the institution or employer you’re applying to.

Grade conversion 

Grading systems often differ between countries. For example, one country may assign letter grades while another uses percentages or pass/fail. The GPA scale can also be different. During the transcript evaluation process, someone converts your grades or GPA into a format that’s understood in the US, which allows for a more fair comparison.

Degree equivalency 

A key part of the evaluation is determining how your degree measures up against qualifications in the US. For example, a diploma, professional title, or license in another country may be the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in the US, and a degree equivalency will validate that you qualify for a position requiring a bachelor’s. 

Purpose of transcript evaluations

The main goal of a transcript evaluation is to assess how education you earned in a foreign country aligns with US educational standards. It’s an important step to ensure fair and equivalent recognition of academic qualifications.

Generally, there are three major reasons for transcript evaluations:

• Admission to school: Providing a transcript evaluation before entering the school can help you avoid taking classes you've already passed in another country and assist the school when creating a schedule for you.

• Employment: If you’re an international candidate with foreign qualifications, a transcript evaluation standardizes your academic achievement in a way that is more easily compared to other applicants.

• Immigration: For those immigrating to the US, this evaluation can become a part of the immigration process, helping authorities understand your educational background when deciding the type of visa you can apply for.

Who requires transcript evaluation?

Individuals who need to verify their education in another country typically need to submit documentation for a transcript evaluation. This process is particularly significant for the following groups:

• International students or immigrants: If you’ve studied abroad and are seeking opportunities in a new country, you’ll likely need your transcripts evaluated.

• Foreign job applicants: Employers need to understand the education you’ve received abroad and how it fits with the job and salary requirements.

• Licensing boards: If your profession operates under the oversight of a licensing board, it may need an evaluation to ensure your foreign education meets local standards.

Advantages and limitations of transcript evaluation

A transcript evaluation is useful because it opens opportunities for international candidates who want to be considered for positions and programs with US-based organizations. Still, the process costs money and can take time. Being aware of the advantages and limitations of the transcript evaluation process can help you understand what to expect during the process. 

Advantages:

• Create academic and professional opportunities for you in a new country by providing an official way to prove you have the academic qualifications for a position. 

• Receive credit for the education you earned. You may be able to avoid taking additional classes to qualify for school admission. 

• Help your employer determine whether you’re eligible for further education or specific job roles within the organization. For example, you may have taken enough courses in an area to qualify for an additional major or minor.

Limitations: 

• The fees associated with getting your transcripts evaluated can range depending on what service you use, but the cost is typically between $175 and $250 [1]. 

• Evaluation standards can differ from one service to another, which means there’s a chance of inconsistency in how different institutions assess your education.

• Sometimes, a transcript evaluation may not capture the full essence of your educational journey. Certain unique aspects of your education, like specific education or hands-on experiences, may be better shared through anecdotes or an interview.

How to get a transcript evaluation 

To get your transcripts evaluated, start by researching the guidelines of the institution or employer you’re applying to. Each one may have specific requirements or preferred evaluation services. For example, California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Florida's Department of Education have lists of approved transcript evaluation agencies for international candidates who want to apply for a state teaching certificate [3, 4]. You also can consult with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which maintains a list of member organizations.

After choosing an organization to evaluate your transcripts, gather all the necessary documents. Typically, this includes your transcripts and sometimes a copy of your diploma. You may also need to submit course descriptions or syllabi to ensure the topic areas covered are the same as in the US. If you're applying to a school that evaluates transcripts in-house, you may need to send all of the documentation directly to the campus. 

After this, you will wait to hear back about your results. This wait time varies, and it may be longer if you have to submit additional information. 

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