Foreign Credential Evaluators

[bjcheung77]

Just thinking about foreign credential evaluation services and was researching again on a particular one: California University Foreign Credential Evaluation.  On this and the sister board, it's noted as the "bottom of the barrel" option to use if all else fails.  

I, on the other hand, think it's best to stick to something above the bottom of the list and draw a line somewhere.  Sticking to the AICE or NACES options are best, but if none of them have a remotely reasonable evaluation, who should you go to?  Where do you draw the line?  

If either of these two membership agencies don't/doesn't have an evaluation service that fits the bill, I would look for alternatives that aren't part of the list BUT are part of an approved list from federal or state agencies.  One that came to mind is Validential, there are others obviously, so choose or research what options are available before submitting your evaluations.  

Generally I would recommend AICE or NACES members, but if they don't do it for you, find one that will but SKIP the bottom of the barrel options such as CUFCE.  It may come back to hurt you if something isn't in place and an undesirable result may occur.

AICE Members Link: https://aice-eval.org/members/
NACES Members Link: https://www.naces.org/members

Below is an example of several institutions that may have CUFCE equivalency of US RA.  Blue Marble, Bircham, International Quantum, Selinus, etc.  Even institutions listed on the Wiki mentioning they're unaccredited in the US.   Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_un..._education

I came across a 15 year old article mention a "fake doctor" treating cancer patients.  It's sickening just knowing this is happening with "new grads" from non-accredited institutions even today.  Link: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-new...-diplomas/

[Alpha]

Anyone who would approve of Bircham is off my list.

[carrythenothing]

Sticking to the AICE or NACES options are best, but if none of them have a remotely reasonable evaluation, who should you go to?  Where do you draw the line?

I would speak with your employer or next academic program if you really feel "none of them have a remotely reasonable evaluation."

[Larry Cochran]

while there may be some valid reasons for caution, I would not feel comfortable unilaterally declaring them the "bottom of the barrel" without strong evidence. More specifics on poor outcomes would help substantiate that assessment.

[bjcheung77]

while there may be some valid reasons for caution, I would not feel comfortable unilaterally declaring them the "bottom of the barrel" without strong evidence. More specifics on poor outcomes would help substantiate that assessment.

@Larry Cochran, Welcome to the board... Great first post, If you read what the institutions I mentioned at the bottom of the list, none of those institutions are recognized by CHEA or USDOE, you'll know what I'm talking about, they do not have proper accreditation (No RA or NA). CUFCE, is a 'last resort' for people who can't their evaluations completed favorably anywhere else (unless it's from an international non-recognized accreditation agency).

As an example, ASU accepts both CUFCE and Validential as evaluation agencies, it's listed on their website. If you search for other institutions and can find another that does accept CUFCE, let me know. There are a few out there that will accept Validential, and some government agencies such as those state agencies for teacher licensing. It really depends on the student needs, if it for employment, further education, or something else such as personal reasons.

[cacoleman1983]

This is an old post but since we are talking about Foreign Credential Evaluations, particularly CUFCE. I'm not sure if you any of you knew this but CUFCE has its own accreditation commission:
https://www.usheac.org/

USHEAC is a subsidiary of California University FCE-Amorsolo Foundation Incorporated. Its acceptance by the California Department of Education, California State Board of Education, U.S. Department of Education and numerous international universities is based on its evaluation and assessment of U.S. unaccredited university curriculum, academic programs, and faculty credentials. The evaluation is an integral part of the university’s documentation process for its application for regional accreditation, which precedes submission to any of the seven U.S Regional Accreditation Commissions.

As negatively as we speak of them, I've thought about having them grant me prior learning assessment credit towards a graduate level math degree and they said they would assess and grant me an equivalency degree as they promote students doing MOOC and other life-learning work so they can evaluate and issue an equivalency degree based on non-credited work from certified sources. I've also seen other foreign credential evaluators, namely IEE, list them as a school when selecting what to evaluate and/or college history on a website. I thought that was interesting.

[Dr_Chirp]

I was a bit confused when they called themselves "California University FCE" suggesting a traditional academic institution, but CUFCE is not a degree-granting university. That alone was a red flag for me.

[cacoleman1983]

I was a bit confused when they called themselves "California University FCE" suggesting a traditional academic institution, but CUFCE is not a degree-granting university. That alone was a red flag for me.

It is a very weird and scammy looking outlet.  Some universities still accept them today.   The difference with them and other foreign credential evaluators is that they will allow for universities pursuing accreditation that are state-authorized here in the US to receive a regionally accredited institution equivalency standing for these schools as a way to be accepted in the mainstream world.  They also evaluate foreign credentials that are legally operating with full accreditation with these certificates as well.   

I would not recommend them for foreign credential evaluations unless it is a last resort but they may good for someone who wants to experiment with free courses to see if a degree program can be put together as a portfolio of work that could lead to one of these equivalency degree certificates.   I'm not sure how well they have served others but it would be interesting to see if someone would get an evaluation from CUFCE and then have that evaluation sent to another NACES or recognized evaluator to see how they would evaluate the equivalency degree itself.  My guess would be completion of continuing education / professional training equivalent to the certificate.