If you’re looking for new educational or career opportunities in the United States or Canada, having your international education evaluated offers many benefits. A credential evaluation report explains the value and equivalency of your academic qualifications to immigration regulators, admissions officers, and potential employers.
This article summarizes the top five reasons why you should obtain a credential evaluation.
What Is a Credential Evaluation?
A credential evaluation report compares your international credentials to educational standards in the U.S. or Canada. The report helps higher education institutions, employers, licensing boards, and immigration authorities better understand the education you have received. For more details, read this blog post.
Here are our top 5 reasons for obtaining a credential evaluation:
1. Your international education can be recognized in the U.S. and Canada.
A credential evaluation shows colleges and universities as well as employers that you have the knowledge and skills needed to study or work at a specific level. Also, it lets you know what opportunities you are eligible to pursue.
For example, you might learn that you need to go back to school to study additional coursework to continue your career in your new country. You might need to obtain a license that was not required in your previous country of residence. You might also want to consider alternative career pathways so that you can apply your skills and education in a new or related field.
2. Many institutions require credential evaluation reports.
Even if you weren’t planning to receive a credential evaluation now, as you pursue educational or employment opportunities you will most likely discover that it’s a requirement, not an option. We recommend starting early to minimize delays. It’s important to give yourself adequate time to pursue your academic or career goals.
If you plan to further your education in the U.S. or Canada, a credential evaluation might be a necessary part of the application process. Many higher education institutions, specifically colleges and universities, require international students to have their credentials evaluated before they apply to any undergrad and graduate-level programs.
Additionally, employers often ask candidates to validate their international degree or demonstrate its equivalence in the U.S. or Canada. This might be part of a standard background check or part of the job application process. Having a credential evaluation report, or having a digital badge on your LinkedIn profile, can make your job search easier.
3. Save time and money.
You worked hard to earn your credentials and degrees. The last thing you want is to have to redo your education in a new country. For example, if you earned a bachelor’s degree in India, you shouldn’t need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada simply because your undergraduate program lasted three years and in North America undergraduate programs traditionally last four years.
But if your employer doesn’t understand that your degree is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. and Canada, it can lead to complications. A credential evaluation, however, explains your hard work in terms U.S. and Canadian colleges, universities, and potential employers can understand. In some cases, this might mean that you do need to complete an extra course or two, but doing that will still require a lot less time and money than retaking an entire degree program.
Obtaining a credential evaluation report helps ensure that you have a solid base from which to further your education and career, and you only need to complete the process once to reap lifelong benefits.
4. A credential evaluation authenticates your education.
A credential evaluation report not only compares your degree from one country to degrees available in another, it also verifies the authenticity of your documents. This means you can apply to jobs and higher education institutions in the U.S. or Canada with the added certainty that your credentials will always be recognized. If you are applying for a visa at any point, or entering an immigration stream, a credential evaluation will be an important part of the process.
5. A credential evaluation provides peace of mind.
Having your credentials evaluated by a trusted agency like WES will eliminate any uncertainty about what your degree means in another country. You will also have the confidence to apply for opportunities that best fit your academic and professional training. With a credential evaluation, you will have peace of mind.
Conclusion
When relocating to the U.S. or Canada, your international education and training will be fully recognized, freeing you to pursue work and educational opportunities. An evaluation report helps to open doors so that you can achieve your goals.
Related Readings
Tips for Completing Your WES Application
Why Do I Need a Credential Evaluation?
How to Use Your Credential Evaluation to Support Your Job Search
