Credit Equivalency

Credit Equivalency

The American Board of Higher Education Commission maintains a comprehensive database of accredited traditional and non-traditional education providers across all 52 U.S. states. Each institution in this network has undergone rigorous evaluation to achieve full accreditation. For international students, validating foreign academic credentials is critical, especially for non-traditional or distance learning programs, ensuring alignment with both U.S. standards and the standards of the country of origin.

Importance of Academic Equivalency

Equivalency ensures that foreign academic qualifications meet U.S. educational standards. This process includes document verification, institutional recognition checks, and curriculum assessment. To qualify for equivalency, the issuing institution must be recognized by U.S. Higher Education Commissions or hold one of the six regional accreditations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and CHEA:

• ACCJC – Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Course Recognition and Requirements

Programs must comply with both the student’s home country standards and (ABHEC)’s accreditation framework. Key considerations include:

• Qualifications must belong to academic fields that can be evaluated without laboratory or practical components unless supported by professional experience or documented credit hours.
• Program duration should closely match standard U.S. academic timelines; minor variations may be approved in exceptional cases with legal oversight.
• Students must satisfy equivalency requirements of both the originating country and the country where they currently reside.
• Non-traditional programs may be self-paced, but the total academic load must be equivalent to standard program credit hours.

Required Documentation

Applicants must provide documentation based on the level of study (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate). Required documents typically include transcripts, institutional recognition letters, program descriptions, and other materials necessary for verification.