Evaluation of Foreign Credentials

UMUC-Europe enjoys a diverse student body.  Many students have attended schools in foreign countries and would like to have their previous academic work evaluated for potential credit toward their chosen degrees with UMUC.  The current procedure for evaluating foreign credentials is provided below, along with some questions and answers on this topic that will assist students regarding the official evaluation of foreign credentials.

Foreign Evaluation Procedure for students applying for academic year 2007-2008:

1.  Student may submit foreign credentials.  These have to be official transcripts sent from the issuing institution, or true-certified copies may be submitted.
2.  The student must fill out the Application for Official Evaluation (UMAA-026).
3.  A word-by-word (or literal) translation of each foreign credential is required if the original document is not in English.  The student can do this as long as it is literal.  
4.  A copy of the UMAA-026, a copy of the foreign credentials and a copy of the translation are sent to a stateside agency for evaluation. 
5.  Once our offices receive the results, the student’s file is put in for a priority evaluation with one of our advisors.  This may take up to 5 days.  Then the results are mailed to the student.

NOTE: Official evaluations requirements still apply.  Please review the previous information for Academic Evaluations regarding these requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  If the foreign credentials are not exactly translated, is that a problem?
Answer:  Yes! We have to have an exact translation, or the stateside agency will return the documents to us and this will just delay the process for the student.

Question:  Can the student perform the translation, or does it have to be done by a translation agency?
Answer:  The student may perform the translation or they may choose an agency.  We will accept either one.

Question:  Is there a charge for the foreign credential evaluation?
Answer:  No, currently this is a free service to our UMUC-Europe students.  However, UMUC-Europe does pay a fee to the agency.

Question:  May the student contact the stateside agency directly?
Answer:  No.  The agency provides the evaluation at the request of UMUC-Europe and UMUC-Europe is the contact for any questions.

Question:  Why do we use a stateside agency to do this?  Why doesn’t UMUC-Europe do this in-house?  
Answer:  UMUC is a worldwide academic institution, and it has an obligation to students to see that their academic credentials are reviewed and applicable credit applied consistently throughout all units of the University.  An outside agency was selected to provide this assurance. 

Foreign Evaluation Procedure for students applying for academic year 2008-2009:

As of 1 June 2008, UMUC Europe students will be required to request and submit their evaluations of foreign credentials from one of the agencies listed below.

If you are applying to UMUC Europe for the 2007-2008 academic year, please have all documentation for the review of your foreign credentials to the UMUC Europe Evaluation office, no later than 1 June 2008 and the university will submit a request for an evaluation on your behalf.  If you are planning on enrolling for the academic year 2008-2009, then submit your own request for an evaluation.  The approved agencies are listed below. All are independent and not affiliated with UMUC.

To request an evaluation of your foreign documents, please follow the specific instructions of the agency.

• Include full payment as instructed by the agency.   
• Mail completed forms and payment directly to the agency, not to UMUC.

To assist in our evaluation of your record, we request that a copy of your documents and translations also be sent to UMUC at the following address: University of Maryland University College, 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA

Some of the organizations listed below do general evaluations (also known as document-by-document) that state the educational levels or total hours attained. In order to transfer individual classes, students need to request a course-by-course evaluation so every class is evaluated for transfer.

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

Office of International Education Services (mail only; no services at this location.)
One Dupont Circle, NW,
Suite #520
Washington, DC
20036-1135

AACRAO Foreign Education Credential Service
Phone: 202-296-3359
Fax: 202-822-3940
E-mail: ies@aacrao.org

Requesting an Evaluation (from AACRAO):

To request an evaluation of your foreign credentials please complete the online form or visit the AACRAO website for alternative methods.  Please note that if you choose to use the online form, you will be required to complete payment via credit card.  One copy is included in the initial fee, please request this copy be sent directly to UMUC at the following address:  University of Maryland University College, 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA  If you would also like a copy for your personal records, you may pay an additional fee for the extra copy. 

Fees:

Course-by-course evaluation -- $190.00

Additional Copy -- $25.00

Optional additional service (seven-day rush) -- S100.00 

• UMUC will also accept credit evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved agency, including World Education Series (WES).

Review the NACES-approved list of agencies

Last updated:  29 February 2008