VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
International Credentials Evaluations


Credentials Evaluation Services
To place individuals with transcripts from foreign countries in the appropriate job situation requires that their educational background abroad be evaluated in terms of U.S. "equivalency."  Valencia requires that all international credentials evaluations be conducted by one of the companies affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.  (NACES®).  A hard copy listing of NACES® evaluation services is also available through Human Resources.  NACES® affiliates provide professional assistance in evaluating the educational background of persons educated abroad. Advisory statements on educational equivalency are prepared on request for colleges and universities, professional associations and public school systems.

Evaluation Standards
NACES® is an association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services committed to formulating and maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation.  Within the United States, no government agency monitors the establishment of foreign credential evaluation services.  NACES® was founded in 1987 by credential evaluation services dedicated to promoting excellence and committed to setting the standards for the profession.

Method of Service
The evaluation service is conducted by mail or facsimile. If additional information is needed to supplement material submitted, the applicant, who is responsible for submitting all necessary records documenting the educational background for which an evaluation is being sought, is contacted. Usually two to three weeks is required to complete an evaluation after the documentation is received. Additional time may be needed if considerable research and correspondence are necessary to verify credentials.

Fee
The fee depends on the type and complexity of the evaluation, and is indicated on the application form. It includes the preparation of one original and one copy of the evaluation. An extra fee for services, such as additional original typed copies or overseas telephone calls, will be charged.  Effective February 2001, Valencia will pay the cost of one translation and evaluation of a current faculty member. Eligible faculty may arrange to either have fees paid in advance by the College or submit receipts for reimbursement to Human Resources. This practice applies to all faculty, full-time and adjunct.  Further, retroactive to January 1, 2000, the College will reimburse current faculty for expenses previously incurred for the translation and evaluation of their foreign transcripts.  Faculty may submit receipts for expenses previously incurred directly to Human Resources.  After employment at Valencia, the College will pay for the translation and evaluation of subsequent degrees earned by a current faculty member at a foreign institution.

Documents Required
Typically, clear notarized photocopies of original materials should be submitted to the evaluation service. Please check on requirements for the particular NACES® evaluation service selected. These documents are verified for accuracy. English translations must accompany all documents in languages other than English. Translations can be obtained from specific companies. When a course-by-course analysis of credits is needed, statements regarding hours/weeks of study should be submitted (from transcript, original statement by supervisor, course syllabi, or academic catalogs).

Warning
Alterations of records or forged records will result in cancellation of the evaluation. Other evaluation services and all recipients indicated on the application form will be notified. In such cases, no refund of the fee will be made by the evaluation service and no reimbursement will be forthcoming from the College.

Additional questions and requests for International Credentials Evaluations forms should be referred to:

Sherian Stevenson
Human Resources
Criminal Justice Institute Building, Room 224F
8600 Valencia College Lane
Orlando, FL 32825
Extension 8042 (407-582-8042)
Mail Code 3-33