You’ve spent years earning your qualifications, and now you need to show a US institution what they’re worth. But when you look at the application requirements, the terminology can feel like a completely different language. This uncertainty can be stressful. We’re here to help clear things up. This article will explain the meaning of credential-related terms in the United States, from levels of education to the qualification titles themselves. We’ll help you understand the educational framework credentials you’ll find on educational evaluations by IEE for the purpose of obtaining a US equivalency.
What is an Academic Credential?
Think of academic credentials as the official paperwork that proves your educational background and training. They are the documents that showcase what you’ve learned and accomplished in your studies. When you’re planning to continue your education, find a job, or apply for a professional license in a new country, these papers are your primary evidence. They tell universities and employers what you know and what you’re qualified to do. Understanding exactly which documents are needed can feel overwhelming, but it’s the first step in the process. Having the correct documentation requirements ready will make your application process much smoother and help you avoid unnecessary delays in achieving your goals.
Degrees, Diplomas, and Transcripts
The most common academic credentials you’ll encounter are degrees, diplomas, and transcripts. A degree or diploma is the formal document you receive upon completing a specific program of study, like a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Science. It’s the ultimate proof of graduation. Your transcript, on the other hand, is a detailed record of your academic performance. It lists every course you took, the grades you received, and any honors you earned along the way. Together, these documents paint a complete picture of your academic journey. For admissions officers or employers to understand your qualifications, they often require a professional evaluation service to compare your credentials to U.S. standards.
Certificates vs. Certifications vs. Licenses
While the terms “certificate,” “certification,” and “license” are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they have very distinct meanings in the professional world. Knowing the difference is crucial, especially if you’re aiming to work in a regulated field. Each represents a different type of qualification, awarded by a different kind of body, and comes with its own set of requirements and renewal policies. Understanding these distinctions will help you identify exactly what you need to qualify for your target job or program and ensure you’re on the right path from the start.
Certificate
A certificate is an award you receive from a school or training provider after you’ve successfully completed all the required coursework and exams for a specific program. Think of it as being similar to a degree, but often for a more focused or shorter-term area of study, like digital marketing or data analytics. These programs demonstrate proficiency in a particular skill set. Unlike some other credentials, a certificate is typically awarded for life and doesn’t require renewal. It serves as a permanent record of your specialized training, which can be a valuable addition to your resume when applying for jobs or seeking to advance in your current career.
Certification
A certification is different because it’s awarded by a professional organization or industry group, not an academic institution. To earn one, you must pass a standardized exam that proves you have the specific knowledge and skills needed to excel in a particular job role. For example, you might become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Project Management Professional (PMP). Unlike a certificate, a certification is typically valid for a limited time. You must complete ongoing education or other professional development activities to maintain it. This renewal process ensures your skills remain current with industry standards, which is a key reason employers value these credentials so highly.
License
A license is the most formal of the three, as it’s an official permission slip from a government agency that allows you to work in a specific profession. Fields like nursing, teaching, engineering, and accounting require a license to practice legally. The requirements are set by law and can vary significantly from state to state, but they always involve meeting specific educational and examination standards. This is where a credential evaluation becomes essential, as it helps the licensing board understand how your international education meets their criteria. Pursuing professional licensure is a critical step to ensure you are legally qualified to perform your job, protecting both you and the public by upholding rigorous professional standards.
Understanding Qualification Frameworks
Often, countries and regions formally divide education into several levels with specific qualifications at each level. These are called qualification frameworks, which describe levels, learning outcomes, competencies, and eligibility for higher levels of education. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and South Africa have national frameworks defining educational credentials. Meanwhile, many European nations participate in the European Qualifications Framework, an educational structure across the continent ensuring easy comparability between credentials from all nations involved. Credential evaluation agencies like IEE use these frameworks to guide their policy, decisions and equivalency recommendations.
As for the United States, while education is largely decentralized, it is typically divided into elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels.
How US Education is Governed
Unlike many countries with a single, central authority overseeing education, the U.S. system is quite different. “The US education system is not controlled by one central body, but by states and local governments.” This means that standards, curricula, and even the names of certain qualifications can vary from one state to another. For anyone coming from a country with a national education ministry, this can be a bit of a surprise. This decentralized approach is why a thorough credential evaluation is so essential; it helps create a clear and consistent understanding of your academic background within the diverse American educational landscape.
The Purpose of Credentials
So, what exactly is a credential? Think of it as an official stamp of approval. A “credential’ is an official award from an authorized group that shows someone has learned specific things and met certain standards.” It’s the formal recognition of your hard work and achievements, whether that’s a high school diploma, a university degree, or a professional certificate. These documents are your key to demonstrating your qualifications to schools, employers, and government agencies. They serve as a universal language to communicate your skills and knowledge, making it possible to move forward in your academic or professional journey with confidence.
Higher Education and Employment
When you’re applying to a university or for a job, your credentials do the talking for you. They tell admissions officers and hiring managers what you know and what you can do. In the U.S., educational frameworks help create a common language around skills, which helps “students to get jobs and employers to find the right people.” An international credential evaluation translates your academic history into this shared language. This ensures that a U.S. university understands your previous coursework for transfer credits or that an employer recognizes the value of your degree when considering you for a position that requires specific employment qualifications.
Immigration and Professional Licensure
For many people educated outside the U.S., “getting their credentials evaluated is a crucial step to use their education in the U.S.” This is especially true for immigration and professional licensure. Many visa applications, such as the H-1B, require proof that your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher. Similarly, if you plan to work in a regulated field like nursing, engineering, or teaching, the state licensing board will require a detailed evaluation of your international credentials to ensure you meet their specific academic requirements. A proper licensure evaluation is not just a formality—it’s a mandatory step toward achieving your professional goals.
United States Elementary and Middle School Education
Many countries have anywhere between 6 and 10 years of elementary and lower secondary education. In the United States, students across the nation typically take 5 years of elementary school, followed by 3 years of middle school. Elementary school is often called primary school in countries like the United Kingdom or Foundation and Intermediate Phase in South Africa. Middle school, meanwhile, has also been called junior high or lower secondary school. Upon completion of Grade 8, students in the United States receive a diploma and move on to high school.
High School Education in the US
High school is compulsory for all in the United States. It lasts 4 years, which are divided into Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Requirements regarding credits, coursework and examinations are regulated by the state governments. The completed credential name is usually High School Diploma. This is the common secondary-level exit qualification in the United States, and it is often a requirement for basic employment in many sectors. The United States has secondary-level vocational training programs as well, in which students are educated in a trade and often move directly into employment or apprenticeships upon completion.
To provide more specialized academic knowledge or expertise, as well as possibility of career advancement, individuals often move on to higher education, which is also a prerequisite for many jobs.
Post-Secondary Education Levels
Like many other countries, the United States has 3 common levels of post-secondary, or higher, education.
Undergraduate Education
The first level is called undergraduate; some countries in Europe call this first cycle. This level of education begins after the completion of secondary education. These are taken at universities, colleges and other types of higher educational institutions, or “HEIs” for short.
In the United States, complete undergraduate education takes 4 years (specifically 120 credits usually taken over 4 years) before a qualification is awarded. This qualification is called a Bachelor’s Degree. Titles used often include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration.
Many countries in the Spanish-speaking world have a secondary-level qualification called a Bachiller or Bachillerato; although this has the same linguistic root, this is secondary-level in those countries, not university level. Additionally, many countries have undergraduate credentials with names similar to those in the United States—from the Brazilian Bacharel to the Russian-style Bakalavr, as well as English-language ‘Bachelor’ degrees found across East Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Anglophone Africa. In some cases, these credentials have qualities that allow credential evaluators to simply equate them to the US bachelor’s degree; this includes criteria like duration, instructional hours and access after graduation, among others. For more information about the evaluation of bachelor’s degrees that don’t perfectly match the US bachelor’s degree duration, please see our White Paper about benchmark and year-count methodology.
As another undergraduate option, individuals in the United States can receive an Associate’s Degree after 2 years; however, this is often taken at a community college or junior college, and it also allows students to begin their Bachelor’s Degree in Year 3 when they’re ready. The completed credential title can be Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science and others.
Another term that appears across the world is a variation of the Licentiate. This term can be seen in many French-speaking systems (Lisans) as well as countries from Turkey (Lisans Diploması) to Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking lands (Licenciatura or Licenciada). In some cases, this is the first cycle, or undergraduate, degree in the country, like the US bachelor’s degree. In other cases, it can indicate that an individual has both the necessary educational training and the right to practice a certain profession associated with the subject of education; after all, it sounds very similar to the English word “license.” However, a license in the United States is not an academic degree, but rather a permit from the government that allows the individual to work in a regulated field, such as dentistry, law, real estate or accounting. Professions requiring a license vary by state, and professional licensure is often pursued via the state or local authority after the completion of education; rather than coming automatically as a result of earning a degree, the individual often must take examinations and go through an application process managed by the regulator. Credential evaluators like IEE can produce reports for the purpose of obtaining such a license from state boards, including in nursing and teaching.
Graduate Education
Once the bachelor’s degree is received, an individual can continue to the next level of education, which is called ‘graduate level’ in the United States; this is also referred to as second cycle. This term ‘graduate’ is often used in other countries, but the level and scope are not the same as in the United States. For example, Australia has Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas after their 3-year bachelor’s degrees, while Ontario, Canada has College Graduate Certificates and College Graduate Diplomas that mirror American undergraduate credentials.
In the United States, the most common ‘graduate level’ credential is the Master’s Degree, and it usually involves research, a thesis, and advanced, specialized coursework in a particular subject. Some examples of master’s degree titles include Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration and Master of Education, among others. While these credential names may be used in other countries as well, the name of the credential alone cannot guarantee equivalency, as there are numerous other factors considered when recommending equivalencies, such as duration, entry requirements and more. Terms frequently cannot be used interchangeably, even among countries that use the same languages.
Another graduate-level credential is called a “Graduate Certificate”; this is a shorter program, usually lasting between 1 semester and 1 full year. A 4-year bachelor’s degree is required in order to participate. Many countries have a similarly functioning credential, such as the British or Pakistani Postgraduate Diploma, the Brazilian Pós-graduaçãõ credentials or the Spanish Título Propio Máster diplomas. These programs generally do not equate to a complete Master’s Degree in the United States.
Doctoral Education
Completion of the master’s degree grants access to the third level of education in the United States: doctoral. After research, a dissertation, and a defense, the individual receives a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or another doctoral degree, allowing them to become experts and contributors in their field.
First professional degrees
A last credential-related term that may appear on a report is “First professional degree.” Unlike most countries, the United States requires a 4-year undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree) before professional education in law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other fields takes place. As they come after the bachelor’s degree (plus an application process and an examination like the MCAT in medicine or LSAT in law), these credentials are graduate-level. Once education in these professional fields is complete, individuals can seek licensure and practice as attorneys, physicians, and so on. However, in most countries, the process begins immediately in first cycle, undergraduate education; in law, this credential is often called Bachelor of Laws, while medical credentials are often called Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in English. Since high school is the admission requirement for this program, and students are prepared to become licensed professionals in these fields, “first professional degree” is often used as an equivalency in credential evaluations.
Modern Credentials and Career Pathways
The straight line from a four-year degree to a lifelong career is becoming less common. Today, the world of education is expanding to include new types of qualifications designed to meet the specific needs of the modern workforce. These modern credentials focus more on demonstrating specific skills and competencies rather than just time spent in a classroom. From stackable certificates to digital badges, these alternative pathways offer flexible and targeted ways to gain knowledge and advance your career. Understanding these new options is key, whether you’re just starting out, looking to switch fields, or seeking to have your unique set of international skills recognized.
Competency-Based Frameworks
Imagine a system where your qualifications are defined by what you can actually do, not just the title of your degree. That’s the idea behind competency-based frameworks. These structures help translate degrees, certificates, and licenses into a clear list of skills and knowledge, or “competencies.” The Connecting Credentials Framework, for example, works to link these competencies directly to the skills that jobs require. This approach makes it easier for employers to understand what a candidate brings to the table and helps individuals see exactly how their education prepares them for a specific career path, creating a much clearer connection between learning and earning.
Stackable Credentials and Career Pathways
You don’t always need a full degree to move forward in your career. Stackable credentials offer a more flexible, step-by-step approach. Think of them as building blocks: you can earn them one after another over time to build up your expertise. According to the New England Board of Higher Education, a stackable credential is part of a series that helps you advance in a career or qualify for more education. For instance, you might start with a certificate in project coordination, then add another in agile methodologies, and later a third in risk management. Each credential stands on its own but also combines to create a powerful, specialized skill set that can lead to better-paying jobs.
Digital Badges and Micro-credentials
In addition to traditional diplomas, you can now earn digital badges and micro-credentials to showcase specific skills. These are focused, verifiable, and often digital qualifications that prove you’ve mastered a particular subject, tool, or competency. For example, you might earn a digital badge for completing an advanced course in Python or a micro-credential in data visualization. These credentials can be powerful supplements to your formal education, offering tangible proof of your abilities. As research highlights, digital credentials hold significant promise for bridging the gap between what people learn and what is needed for jobs, allowing you to display a more detailed and dynamic picture of your expertise.
Challenges with Digital Credentials
While digital badges and micro-credentials offer exciting possibilities, they also face some hurdles. A primary issue is the lack of consistent standards. Without a uniform way to define and measure the quality of these credentials, their value can be inconsistent from one provider to another. Furthermore, many employers are still unfamiliar with these newer forms of qualification and may not trust them as much as a traditional degree. This skepticism can make them less valuable when you’re trying to get a job. Just as a formal credential evaluation brings clarity to international degrees, the world of digital credentials will need similar systems of trust and standardization to reach its full potential.
Conclusion on Credential Terms
The goal of credential evaluation is to define accomplishments of individuals from across the world into terms that entities in the United States use. IEE considers various aspects of an individual’s achievements before declaring an equivalency. With all that being said, the literal words used in one country may not mean the same thing in the United States. Therefore, we hope this article has given you a better understanding of how educational terms are utilized on credential reports, education settings and in broader society in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a credential evaluation necessary if my degree from my home country is also called a “Bachelor’s Degree”? While the title might be the same, the structure behind the degree can differ greatly. A US bachelor’s degree typically requires four years of full-time study and a specific number of credits. An evaluation looks beyond the title to analyze your program’s length, coursework, and the level of education required to enter it. This process ensures that a US institution or employer gets a clear and accurate understanding of your academic background compared to their own standards.
My degree is a Licenciatura. Does this mean I have a license to practice my profession in the US? This is a common point of confusion. In the US, a Licenciatura is recognized as an academic degree, similar to a bachelor’s degree. A professional license, however, is a separate credential issued by a state government agency that grants you legal permission to work in a regulated field like nursing or engineering. Your evaluation report will help show if your Licenciatura meets the educational requirements for a license, but you will still need to complete the state’s licensing process.
What’s the most important difference to remember between a certificate and a certification? The simplest way to tell them apart is to think about who issues them. A certificate is awarded by a school or college after you complete a specific academic program. A certification, on the other hand, is granted by a professional organization or industry body after you pass a standardized exam, proving you have the skills for a particular job.
I completed a three-year bachelor’s program. How will that be viewed in the US system? Credential evaluators consider many factors, not just the number of years you studied. We analyze the entire program, including the curriculum and what it qualifies you for in your home country’s education system. The final US equivalency is based on a comprehensive review that compares your studies to the benchmarks of US education, so the outcome can vary.
Should I include my digital badges or micro-credentials when I submit my documents for evaluation? A formal credential evaluation focuses on official academic records like degrees and transcripts from educational institutions. While digital badges and micro-credentials are great for showing specific skills to potential employers on your resume or professional profiles, they are not typically included in the academic evaluation itself.
Key Takeaways
- Know the difference in your credentials: A certificate, certification, and license each have distinct meanings and requirements in the US. Understanding which one you need is a critical first step for pursuing your professional or academic path.
- Recognize that credential names are not universal: A term like Bachillerato or Licentiate in your home country may not mean the same thing as a Bachelor’s degree in the US, so direct translations can be misleading.
- Use an evaluation to prove your qualifications: A professional credential evaluation is the standard way to show US schools, employers, and licensing boards how your international education compares to US standards, making it a necessary step for most applications.
