Tag Archives: Credential Evaluations

June 28, 2018 · 9:49 pm

ACEI announces launch of new website

June 28th, 2018

Press-Release

Description: Website offers listing of all services offered with detailed instructions on documentation required for credential evaluation and features a new professional development tab with training tools.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, June 28, 2018 – ACEI is introducing the launch of our new website featuring our easy to follow steps for Credential Evaluation Service and a special page dedicated to Professional Development with the option for personalized training. Our new site is unique in that it provides information for the international students but also the end users of the evaluation reports: academic institutions, professional regulatory boards, HR directors at institutions and companies, immigration lawyers and military recruiters.

According to Ms. Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, President and CEO of ACEI: “We have created our new website to make access to information and the credential evaluation process as easy and streamlined as possible for both the international students/candidates and the institutions/agencies for which the evaluation and U.S. academic equivalence is intended.”

To learn more about the services provided by ACEI, please visit website at www.acei-global.org.

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, President and CEO, and is a Charter & Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators.

Contact Information:

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc.
9461 Charleville Boulevard, Box 188
Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA
1-310-275-3530
website: www.acei-global.org
email: acei@acei-global.org

New Website Preview

Language

Your students/candidates can view our website in any language by selecting a language from the Google drop-down on the top right hand corner of our website.

evaluation_service

Easy to follow steps and application.

Partner

New features for partnering with ACEI

Link with ACEI
ACEI’s Secure Parthway – [Free & password secure online portal for receipt of credential evaluation reports]
Credit Articulation
Verification
* Order Applications

 

 

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June 21, 2018 · 9:16 pm

10 Criteria to Consider for Outsourcing Your International Credential Evaluation Needs

June 22nd, 2018

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In our previous blog, we wrote about the benefits of outsourcing international credential evaluations. In this week’s blog, we’d like to share with you the criteria you need to consider if your institution is looking to outsource its international credential evaluations.
With the need for increasing content and authenticity in the evaluation process comes the need for more education, training and experience on the part of the credential evaluator. Institutions seeking to outsource their international credential evaluations are advised to select one service or multiple services by requesting the following:

1. Membership

Is the credential evaluation agency an Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)?

The Association of International Credential Evaluators is a non-profit professional association with unique set of criteria which employs a rigorous screening process in determining the eligibility of providers of international credential evaluation services to Endorsed membership. The AICE has published evaluation standards to which its members subscribe and conform to promote consistency and transparency in educational equivalency reporting.

2. Years of Operation

Does the credential evaluation agency have a proven record of experience in the field?

Find out when the agency was established and how long it has been in operation. Number of years of operation as a credential evaluation service provider demonstrates longevity and continuity in a field where fluctuations in the market due to economic and political events affects the solvency of a company and its ability to work with credentials from around the world.

3. Standards

What evaluation standards and procedures does the credential evaluation agency employ in evaluating and determining U.S. educational equivalences?

It is important to find out the standards the evaluation agency uses in evaluating credentials to derive at U.S. educational equivalences. Does your institution have any guidelines in place when assessing international credentials? Are the standards used by the evaluation agency in line with your institution’s? If your institution doesn’t have any particular standards on evaluating international credentials, we recommend you refer to the AICE Evaluation Standards for guidelines.

4. Experience

Request and review a profile of the evaluation agency’s executive and evaluation staff.

This information will help you assess the expertise and experience of the agency’s evaluation staff. It will also help you outline the methods the agency employs for its evaluators to receive continuous professional development.

5. Services

What types of evaluation reports are provided by the credential evaluation agency?

It is important to determine the different types of evaluation reports the credential evaluation service provides to see if they are able to accommodate your institution’s needs.

6. Required Documents

What criteria does the evaluation company have in place in accepting academic documents?

It’s important to find out whether the evaluation company accepts official transcripts directly from the source institution, or original (“first-issued”) documents in the student’s possessions, photocopies or scanned documents submitted by students, or transcripts received electronically from the source institution.

7. Processing Time

How long does it take for the evaluation agency to complete an evaluation?

The number of days an evaluation agency requires to complete an evaluation plays a significant part in the overall picture when a student’s application for admission is contingent on the evaluation report. You must determine the actual number of days it takes an agency to complete the evaluation and not the estimated time. For example, an agency may claim a 10-day processing time but in practice it takes 20 or 30 or more days to complete its evaluation reports.

8. Library/Information Resources

What steps does the evaluation agency take in maintaining a dynamic in-house library?

A credential evaluation agency and the evaluation reports it generates are as good as its reference library. Maintaining an in-house library is one of the most important criteria in qualifying for Endorsed Membership with the Association of International Credential Evaluators. An in-house library that has in its collection historic and current publications and reference materials is the backbone of a full-service reputable evaluation agency.

9. Website & Information

Does the evaluation company have a website that is user-friendly and informative?

A website serves as the portal to a company’s operation and services. An effective website must include information that is clear and transparent about its services, fees and procedures.

10. Customer/Client Relations

How helpful and knowledgeable is the evaluation company’s staff?

And, last but not least, building a relationship with an evaluation company where you are confident that your institution’s needs and those of your international students are not ignored but handled in a timely and professional matter is essential. It is good to call the evaluation company and see if you are greeted by a friendly representative able and willing to answer your questions. If you emailed the company, how soon was your email answered?

In closing, by selecting a reputable evaluation service with proven years of experience, you are ensured the most up-to-date evaluation standards and practices. Indirectly, outsourcing also gives you access to the evaluation service’s resources: its library, database, knowledge and experience, online tools, and training. Finally, building a relationship with a credential evaluation agency creates an understanding between the parties that allows the agency to incorporate any special institutional needs into the evaluation. An on-going relationship with an evaluation service leads to consistency in the placement of students over time and across educational systems. It also provides the institution with an expert resource to consult when questions arise about credentials and placement.

ACEI Logo with Slogan - FINAL

The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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June 8, 2018 · 12:01 am

6 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Institution’s Credentials Evaluation Needs

June 8th, 2018

outsource

At the recent NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference in Philadelphia, PA (May 27-June1, 2018), ACEI President & CEO, Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, and Aleks Morawski, Director of Evaluation Services at Foreign Credits, moderated a forum and shared their expertise on the benefits of outsourcing credential evaluations versus doing evaluations in house.  NAFSA had additional similar presentations on its conference program that concentrated on this same topic, so we felt it would be befitting to share with you a blog we had written back in 2016 that continues to be relevant today.  ACEI and Foreign Credits are both Endorsed Members of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), a non-profit professional association for organizations providing credential evaluation services recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Unlike many countries in the world, the United States does not have a Ministry of Education or a centralized government body that oversees the country’s entire education system. The federal or national government of the U.S. does not have authority over education at any level. The task of evaluating the credentials of internationals mainly rests with private non-governmental agencies.

As the world’s leading host country of international students and scholars, institutions within the U.S. can either look into ways of funding evaluation services internally or outsourcing them to an evaluation agency. Some educational institutions—typically with a large international population—have a tradition of providing international credential evaluations as part of the admissions process and are fully equipped to do so. Others, however, do not have an evaluation process in place and yet face increasing numbers of students and immigrants who have studied outside the U.S. For the latter, outsourcing foreign credential evaluations can be an excellent and helpful option.

The pros of doing evaluations in-house by some institutions appear to be based on the belief that they have control over the process from start to finish, that their equivalency decisions are consistent, and that they are able to reach these decisions based on the knowledge they have of their institution’s policies. Many of the deterrents or cons to preparing credential evaluations in-house are financial, lack of experienced evaluators and access to a robust reference library containing historic and current reference material and publications on world education systems.

The benefits of outsourcing your institution’s international credential evaluations can be summarized as the following:

  1. Savings – If the student obtains and pays for an evaluation provided by an evaluation service, it costs the institution nothing. In addition, the cost for an evaluation which is between $95 – $185 is a miniscule faction of the cost the student will have to pay for tuition at the institution but the benefits to the student are ten fold in that they may receive transfer credit for their evaluated coursework and/or be admitted to an advanced program based on their previous studies and avoid having to start their education over. In the case of an individual seeking employment or professional certification, the cost for the evaluation is also a miniscule fraction of what their future earnings will be based on the employment they are able to secure and/or the license they will receive to practice their field.
  1. Time – The time dedicated to evaluating credentials which requires the vetting of the documents and verifying their authenticity, researching the education system to determine the status of the institution, length and level of the program studied, grading practices, and course description can be directed to focus on the other critical tasks in the admission office.
  1. Resources – The resources that would have gone into creating an evaluation department which includes hiring and training of personnel, funding continuing education, building a resource library, tracking changes in educational systems, verifying the authenticity of documentation, collecting and maintaining a database of documentation and evaluations, will be available for recruiting, selecting, admitting, and advising students.
  1. Multi-Purpose – Both the international candidate and U.S. institution receive an objective evaluation of the individual’s academic achievement that can be used in the future by the candidate for purposes such as immigration, employment, graduate or doctoral study at another U.S. institution, or professional licensing.
  1. Manage Risk – Protecting your institution or organization from fraudulent documentation and misrepresentation that can jeopardize reputation and accreditation. By allowing experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of world education systems and hands-on experience of evaluating academic credentials you will protect your institution against fraud.
  1. Access to Expertise – An indirect benefit of outsourcing your international credential evaluation needs is that it gives you access to the evaluation company’s resources such as its knowledge and experience, online tools and training.

The continued flow of internationals coming to the U.S. for further education, career and economic advancement necessitates the evaluation of their academic credentials. An on-going relationship with an evaluation service leads to consistency in the placement of students over time and across educational systems. It also provides the institution with an expert resource to consult when questions arise about credentials and placement.

In our next blog we will share what criteria you need to employ when selecting a service to outsource your international credential evaluations.

ACEI Logo with Slogan - FINAL

The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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February 23, 2018 · 8:44 am

ACEI Offers Digital Delivery of Official Evaluation Reports and Official Documentation

February 23rd, 2018
SecurePathway_Logo_001

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) is pleased to announce SecurePathway©, which is a free service that allows you to view and print all completed evaluations and documentation via your online secure portal instantly.

ACEI President, Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, recently signed the Groningen Declaration at their meeting with global leaders in Australia, which serves the academic and professional mobility needs of citizens worldwide by making digital student data portability happen.

“By signing this declaration, I’ve made the commitment to move forward the crucial need for accurate and secure portals to student data,” Saidi-Kuehnert said. “We at ACEI are not only dedicated to providing the highest quality of evaluation reports based on expert research, but also providing a faster and more secure way to get ACEI official reports, along with the certified academic documentation. It is literally credential evaluations and academic documentation at your fingertips!”

ACEI is making a dedicated commitment to responding to the needs of their clients and providing services to ensure the best delivery method of student data. “SecurePathway is our way of keeping with the rapidly digitized world we live in and the emerging need for student data mobility. In the case of our evaluation reports, it’s the ability to access and review the results without having to wait for the paper document arriving by post,” Saidi-Kuehnert said.

ACEI also provided a blog on the topic of student data mobility. With their comprehensive blog, ACEI stays on top of the needs and trends in our profession. “Digital documents have immense appeal as the preferred medium for content creation, storage, editing and dissemination. In this field, you cannot stay static, you need to adapt to the needs of your clients,” Saidi-Kuehnert explained. “With SecurePathway©, we have answered your need to receive data online securely and quickly.”

SecurePathway is the most secure way to obtain official academic documentation by storing the official evaluation reports and official academic documents on secure servers. Only authorized users are able to retrieve them, making it more secure than paper, which could fall in the wrong hands or lost in the post if sent by physical mail.

ACEI is the premier credential evaluation service that provides fast and quality evaluation reports based on expert research. ACEI is an Endorsed Member of the leading credential evaluation member organization, the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), the only organization with set standards. AICE is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Signing up with ACEI’s SecurePathway is free and does not cost the institutions any fees. To receive ACEI expert reports and certified academic credentials via SecurePathway, complete this form.

SecurePathwaysRegistrationForm

ACEI Logo with Slogan - FINAL

The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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December 14, 2017 · 8:39 pm

Dispatch from the AIRC 9th Annual Conference
A New Outlook on Global Student Mobility: Recruiting in Changing Times

December 14th, 2017

AIRC

December 6-9, 2017
Bonaventure Resort
Weston, Florida

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) joined more than 400 representatives from institutions, agencies, and international organizations to discuss market trends and analysis, international student recruitment processes, and best practices at the 9th Annual American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) Conference.

AIRC is a membership association recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2008 by global leaders to promote ethical and best practices for international recruitment strategies. AIRC’s members collaborate to establish quality standards for international student placement in the United States.

AIRC is the only professional education membership association focusing solely on issues surrounding international student recruitment. AIRC is also the sole provider of independent certification of recruitment agencies based on an extensive accreditation model.

The AIRC Conference offered many quality educational sessions relating to trends and best practices of student recruitment, digital marketing, credential evaluation, and international issues affecting us today.

ACEI presented the well-received educational session, “Credential Evaluation and the Case Study of The China Market: The “Cheat Sheet” addressing combating fraud and identifying best practices in credential evaluation to a large crowd Saturday morning.

AIRC_2.png

AIRC partners with other organizations to develop a future plan for more professional resources for our field. The theme at the conference was the changing recruitment landscape and how to address these changes.

Jeet Joshee, President of AIRC and Associate Vice President for International Education and Dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Education, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and David Di Maria, Past President of AIRC and Associate Provost for International Programs, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, welcomed the large group of global leaders Wednesday to kick off the conference. They emphasized the need for outreach on student data mobility during this time of change and collaboration.

AIRC_3
Jeet Joshee, AIRC President, and David Di Maria, AIRC Past President, welcome the attendees

David Di Maria, addressed the group thanking the excellent conference planners, attendees, presenters, and sponsors saying it was an honor this past year to have the privilege to work with AIRC Members and staff.

As AIRC is in its 10th year of existence, Di Maria also welcomed the 310 institutional members, 78 agencies, and newcomers. “AIRC is a professional association just like NAFSA,” he said. “This is the leading conference solely for recruitment and aligns with professional standards. Its brings a comprehensive collection of thought-leaders in the same room.”

George Kacenga, President Elect and Director of International Enrollment Management, University of Colorado, stated he was looking forward serving as President of AIRC and providing excellent leadership.

AIRC_4
Laura Sippel, ACEI, and George Kacenga, AIRC Present Elect

In addition to the informational sessions, the AIRC Town Hall addressed concerns and questions about today’s uncertain political climate. They encouraged people to treat this conference like a retreat and to network with some of the “best and brightest minds here. There are great things ahead.”

AIRC_5
Highlights of the contributions of international students

The AIRC Conference also provided wonderful networking opportunities during breakfast, luncheons, and evening receptions.

AIRC_6

AIRC_7

The conference ended with positive messages of growth in international student population, with an emphasis on the international students that drive our profession.  Trends in the international landscape were examined, with emphasis on proper branding for providers, benefits of pathway programs, and ensuring that a comprehensive team of trusted agents are available to the attendees.

The 10th annual AIRC Conference will be held in Weston, Florida at the same location in 2018.

laura_sippel

Laura Sippel
Director of Marketing
Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI).

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September 15, 2017 · 7:47 am

6 Facts about Foreign Credential Evaluations

September 15th, 2017

globehat

We recently heard a report on CNN about foreign medical doctors who are unable to practice in the U.S. and are driving taxis instead. We frequently hear about the plight of legal immigrants in the U.S. who find themselves with little or no information on whether their education from their country of origin is worth anything in their new adopted country. Many simply assume they have to start from the beginning, take the GED, enroll in a college, or apply for and accept employment in jobs below their level of education attainment. Many are not aware that they can have their academic credentials evaluated to receive the approximate U.S. educational equivalence to help them with qualifying for employment, a professional license or admission to a U.S. college/university.

According the U.S. Department of Labor: “Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.”

Foreign credential evaluation is a process where academic credentials earned in an institution outside the U.S. is verified and converted into the U.S. educational equivalent. Foreign credential evaluation service providers are typically private for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. Some state licensing boards, U.S. colleges and universities and professional associations also prepare evaluations of foreign credentials for their candidates.

Here are a few facts about foreign credential evaluations:

  1. A foreign credential evaluation provides the approximate U.S. educational equivalence of studies completed at an institution outside the U.S.
  2. A foreign credential evaluation does not guarantee that a level of education completed in a foreign educational system results in the same educational outcome. For example, if an individual completed three years of studies at a university outside the U.S., the U.S. educational equivalence for the studies may or may not be deemed comparable to a degree.
  3. A foreign credential evaluation does not guarantee employment but it will provide the employer with confirmation whether the candidate has met the educational requirements for the position.
  4. A foreign credential evaluation does not imply that the individual is qualified to practice his/her profession. In order to practice a profession such as medicine, nursing, engineering, dentistry, architecture, etc., candidates who have had their foreign credentials evaluated must also sit for the licensing examinations as required by the State in which they intend to practice. However, the evaluation will provide the professional licensing board the information it needs to determine the candidate’s eligibility for licensure.
  5. A foreign credential evaluation does not guarantee automatic admission to a U.S. school/college/university or transfer of credit, as each institution has its own specific admissions and placement policies. It will, however, inform the institution as to the level of studies completed in order to determine eligibility for admission.
  6. A foreign credential evaluation does provide the individual an understanding of his/her education’s comparability to the U.S. system so that he/she can pursue their studies or seek employment in a field in the U.S. that is compatible with their education.

A foreign credential evaluation is similar to currency exchange, where the education completed in one system is converted to the education system of another. So, before an immigrant dismisses the studies they completed in their country of origin, having their academic credentials evaluated will be the first step to take as they begin this chapter of their life in a their new adopted country.

The U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of State, provide links to organizations that provide foreign credential evaluation services in the U.S. The NAFSA: Association of International Educators also provides guidelines on how to select a foreign credential evaluation service provider.

Since 1994, ACEI, which is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, has been providing assistance to individuals from around the world with the evaluation of their educational credentials. For information on our credential evaluation service and requirements, please visit our website at www.acei-global.org or contact ACEI at +1-310-275-3530 or via email at acei@acei-global.org

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August 31, 2017 · 10:02 pm

Spain: Understanding and Evaluating the Titulo Propio

Titulo de Propio vs. Titulo Oficial

August 31st, 2017

spain

ACEI will be attending the upcoming the EAIE Conference in Seville to meet and collaborate with global leaders. The 29th Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition in Seville, Spain will take place from 12–15 September 2017. The theme for the 2017 conference is ‘A mosaic of cultures’, bringing together global leaders to network and discuss issues regarding international trends and world education systems.

In the spirit of the EAIE conference in Spain, we want to explore how to evaluate and recognize the university degree titles of titulos propios and titulos oficiales from Spain. These titles are regarded as two different degrees by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte)/MEC of Spain inviting a closer look into understanding the differences between them.

This blog provides information on the titulo propios and titulo oficiales to help U.S. admissions officers and credential evaluators differentiate between the two in the evaluation and admissions decision-making process.

These titles are regarded as two different degrees by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain inviting a closer look into understanding the differences between them.

Historical Background

• In 1983, the Law of University Reform (Ley de Reforma Universitaria/LRU) enabled universities in Spain to offer and award their own degree programs, known as Titulos propios and gave universities greater autonomy in budgetary decision-making and curriculum development. (www.mecd.gob.es/portada-mecd/).
• Under the LRU, universities can continue offering degree programs officially recognized as titulos oficiales by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte)/MEC.
• The 1983 LRU also allowed for private universities to be established in Spain.
• In the 1983 LRU the MEC specified that universities offering titulos propios degrees must use terminology in the titles that clearly identifies it as a “propio” to avoid any confusion or overlap with official degree titles established and recognized by the government.
• Universities in Spain offer students who wish to complete their studies at the graduate level toward the Master’s degree the choice of either pursuing Máster/Master Oficial de Postgrado or the Máster Titulo Propio.

Definition

Titulo Propio

• The translation of the word “propio” means own, as in mine, and not yours.
• A título propio is a credential awarded on completion of curriculum set by the institution and awarded by the institution.
• The most common título propio qualification is Máster / Master; additional qualifications include Especialista / Specialist, Experto / Expert, Diploma, Técnico / Technician, and Graduado / Graduate.
• Título propio programs represent a minimum of 20 credits.
• Títulos propios are awarded by the rector of the individual university, rather than by the MEC.

sample
Sample: Titulo Propio Máster awarded by Universidad de León

sample_2
Sample: Titulo Propio / Titulo de Máster awarded by Universidad de Alcalá

Titulo Oficial
• The titulo oficial is awarded and recognized by the MEC on completion of prescribed studies at a university in accordance with Ministry-approved curriculum.
• Typically, a titulo official will include on the degree the name of King Felipe VI of Spain, the name of the Rector and identify the degree as such. See samples below:

sample_3
Sample: Titulo Oficial awarded by the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja

sample_4
Sample: Titulo Oficial Máster awarded by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Credits

Titulo Propios

• Máster Titulo Propio 50 credits
• Experto Universitario 25 credits
• Expecialista Universitario 21 credits

Admission Requirements

• According to information on the MEC website, entrance to either the Titulo Propios or Titulo Oficiales programs requires the título de Graduado or título de Arquitecto, Ingeniero, Licenciado, Arquitecto Técnico, Diplomado, Ingeniero Técnico or Maestro from the first cycle of university studies. [Note: Students from the USA must have the Bachelor’s degree and those from Canada must have the Bachelor’s Honours degree for admission.] However, universities offering titulo propio programs are free to set their own admission requirements and can accept students who may not have completed the entire first cycle of university studies.

Purpose and Post-graduation Opportunities

Titulos propios

• Titulos propios are not considered part of the formal higher education structure as they do not have academic recognition of the MEC.
• Titulos propros do not provide access to government-mandated positions of employment
• Titulos propios may be accepted as equal to the official titles for employment purposes in the private sector.

Titulos Oficiales

• Considered part of the formal higher education structure and provide access to doctoral level studies at universities in Spain and within the European Union.
• Accepted for government-mandated positions of employment as well as employment in the private sector.

Evaluation Guidelines

Given that the titulos propios do not have MEC recognition, may have variable admission criteria depending on individual institutional policies, and do not provide access to doctoral degree programs, my advice is to recognize the studies for credit equivalence but not a U.S. Master’s degree. When evaluating these degrees, request the following from the student/candidate: proof of degree from previous studies to help establish the criteria on which the individual was admitted to the titulo propio program and official transcripts from the university showing the courses studied, final grades and most importantly the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) units for each course. The ECTS will help with determining and awarding transfer credit.

Personal observation: It appears that the titulos propios programs attract international students while Spaniards pursue the titulos oficiales degree programs as the titulos propios do not provide access to doctoral degree programs and are not accepted for employment in the civil service jobs in Spain.

Helpful links:

• Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports http://bit.ly/1AwemOo
• University of Barcelona (offering a definition of the titulos propios and titulos oficiales programs): University of Barcelona: http://bit.ly/1dzYGzn
• Report by three universities in Spain on Titulos Propios versus Titulos Oficiales (issued in Spanish) http://bit.ly/1FdrXFC

jasmin_2015

Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert is the President and CEO of the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI).

ACEI Logo with Slogan - FINAL

The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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August 24, 2017 · 5:50 pm

ACEI Offers Digital Delivery of Official Evaluation Reports and Official Documentation

August 24th, 2017

SecurePathway_Logo_001

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) is pleased to announce SecurePathway©, which is a free service that allows you to view and print all completed evaluations and documentation via your online secure portal instantly.

ACEI President, Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, recently signed the Groningen Declaration at their meeting with global leaders in Australia, which serves the academic and professional mobility needs of citizens worldwide by making digital student data portability happen.

“By signing this declaration, I’ve made the commitment to move forward the crucial need for accurate and secure portals to student data,” Saidi-Kuehnert said. “We at ACEI are not only dedicated to providing the highest quality of evaluation reports based on expert research, but also providing a faster and more secure way to get ACEI official reports, along with the certified academic documentation. It is literally credential evaluations and academic documentation at your fingertips!”

ACEI is making a dedicated commitment to responding to the needs of their clients and providing services to ensure the best delivery method of student data. “SecurePathway is our way of keeping with the rapidly digitized world we live in and the emerging need for student data mobility. In the case of our evaluation reports, it’s the ability to access and review the results without having to wait for the paper document arriving by post,” Saidi-Kuehnert said.

ACEI also provided a blog on the topic of student data mobility. With their comprehensive blog, ACEI stays on top of the needs and trends in our profession. “Digital documents have immense appeal as the preferred medium for content creation, storage, editing and dissemination. In this field, you cannot stay static, you need to adapt to the needs of your clients,” Saidi-Kuehnert explained. “With SecurePathway©, we have answered your need to receive data online securely and quickly.”

SecurePathway is the most secure way to obtain official academic documentation by storing the official evaluation reports and official academic documents on secure servers. Only authorized users are able to retrieve them, making it more secure than paper, which could fall in the wrong hands or lost in the post if sent by physical mail.

ACEI is the premier credential evaluation service that provides fast and quality evaluation reports based on expert research. ACEI is an Endorsed Member of the leading credential evaluation member organization, the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), the only organization with set standards. AICE is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Signing up with ACEI’s SecurePathway is free and does not cost the institutions any fees. To receive ACEI expert reports and certified academic credentials via SecurePathway, complete this form.

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The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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June 1, 2017 · 5:57 pm

Dispatches from the NAFSA 2017 Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA: A photo journal

June 1st, 2017

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This week, NAFSA, the world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, brought together a diverse and vibrant community of nearly 10,000 global leaders and colleagues at its Annual Conference & Expo right here in ACEI’s backyard, Los Angeles.

More than 107 countries have been represented in a setting that emphasized the message, “We build bridges, not walls.”

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Marina Maligana of NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education)
with ACEI Marketing Director, Laura Sippel

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Marina Maligana of NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education)
with ACEI President, Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert

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NAFSA Exhibition Hall

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NAFSA Exhibition Hall

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NAFSA Exhibition Hall

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NAFSA President Ester Brimmer

NAFSA President Ester Brimmer at the opening plenary spoke on how as international educator, we are part of the solution. “We need to stay calm and stay woke,” she said in light of the current political climate. “We need to building bridges, not walls,” she added. Question she posed to the conference attendees was whether the “U.S. will see itself as part of the global community or pursue the path of isolationism.” She stressed the importance of “keeping the U.S. an open and welcoming place.”

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NAFSA Opening Plenary Speaker Isabel Wilkerson

NAFSA Opening Plenary  Speaker Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of New York Times bestseller, “The Warmth of Other Suns.” Ms. Wilkerson gave a moving and inspiring speech and shared excerpts of the presonal stories she had gathered for her book from the African American communities who had migrated from the American south during the Jim Crow era to the North, Northeast, and as far as the West, Hawaii and Alaska. Ms. Wilkerson message was that “we are one species and we in this together, we are not the social constructs that are forced on us.”

At ACEI, we agree with NAFSA’s message of diversity and inclusion and we want to stay globally engaged and educated.

We will pledge to protect our core values, as Americans, which include freedom, opportunity, and welcome.

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The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI provides a number of services that include evaluations of international academic credentials for U.S. educational equivalence, translation, verification, and professional training programs. ACEI is a Charter and Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators. For more information, visit www.acei-global.org.

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April 7, 2017 · 8:57 am

Dispatches from Minneapolis, MN

April 7th, 2017

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The Annual AACRAO Conference this year was held in Minneapolis, MN which marked the third and final stop on my Midwest tour of international education-related conferences. Representing both the Association of International Credential Evaluators and the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc., speaking at three sessions, hosting and moderating the 2017 AICE Symposium meant I had a full plate with little time to catch my breath or sightsee. Nicolette Mall, where the Convention Center and the Millennium Hotel I was staying at was under heavy construction leaving the Downtown deserted with little or no evidence of life other than the two thousand AACRAO attendees milling about the Skywalk. Apparently, the construction has been underway for four years and still in progress in preparation for the Super Bowl.

Joined by fellow AICE Endorsed Members Beth Cotter and Aleks Morawski and ACEI’s Marketing Director, Laura Sippel, the early days of the AACRAO Conference kept us occupied with booth duty at the Exhibit Hall and reception hopping in the evenings.

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L-R: Drew Carlisle (AACRAO), Melanie Gottlieb (AACRAO, Deputy Director),
Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert (ACEI President & CEO and AICE President)

Attending the International Educators Luncheon stressed the gravity of the new administration’s anti-immigration policies in DC and its negative impact on the flow of students to U.S. institutions of higher education. At the International Educators Reception, an annual event sponsored by the Paver Family Foundation, it was an honor to be recognized by Dr. William Paver, as the incoming Chair of the AACRAO IESC (International Education Standards Council) for EDGE (Electronic Database on Global Education).

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L-R: Aleks Morawski (Director of Evaluations at FC, Endorsed AICE Member), Zepur Solakian (President of CGACC), Bill Paver (President of FCSA &Past AACRAO President), Beth Cotter (President of FCA, Endorsed AICE Member), Jim Bouse (AACRAO President), Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert (President & CEO of ACEI & President of AICE) at the AACRAO Board Reception

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Photo: AACRAO Staff, Board, Sponsors and Special Guests at the International Educators Dinner, Mercy Restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Though I didn’t attend the Opening Plenary with Garrison Keillor as the featured speaker, I made sure not to miss the Closing Plenary with Danny Glover and Felix Justice as featured speakers, and was not disappointed. Mr. Glover and Mr. Justice spoke of their experiences during the Vietnam Era, the struggles of Civil Rights movement, and ultimately Mr. Glover’s advice that what truly matters, is the connections we make with others and the lives we impact.

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AACRAO Closing Plenary: Danny Glover and Felix Justice

The AICE Symposium “Setting the Standard for Graduate Admissions: Three-year Degrees and Other Admissions Challenges” was kicked off with a wonderful reception at the Mission American Kitchen Bar and Grill. Invited guests, including AACRAO President, Jim Bouse, AACRAO Deputy Director, Melanie Gottlieb and representatives from U.S. universities, AACRAO staff, and AICE Endorsed Members and Affiliates were all in attendance. To say the reception was a smashing success, is an understatement!

The AICE Symposium, a full-day event, was also a success with thirty-one attendees participating in a lively and collegial discussion on topics covering the Bologna three-year bachelor degrees, the three-year bachelor degrees from India, and the three-year bachelor degrees from Australia, South Africa and Israel. Panelists and attendees collaborated in defining guidelines that will help AICE continue refining the Standard document. A full report of the Symposium’s talking points will be available shortly and posted on the AICE website.

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This ends my Midwest tour! My next adventure takes me to the Southern Hemisphere, where I will be attending the Gronningen Declaration Network in Melbourne, Australia, to be one of its invited signatories. Stay tuned!

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Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert is the President and CEO of the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI).

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