You got a bachelor’s degree, graduated with flying colors, and now you’re ready to fly your career to the United States. Just when you submit your credentials, confusion gets in the way. You have been told off that your degree is not aligned with the U.S. standards. Where did it go wrong?
Apparently, your degree is not being rejected; it only lacks translation. This happens as many international professionals don’t fully understand credential evaluation. Professional evaluators don’t simply look at your diploma and make a judgment call. Instead, they dive deep into your education system and verify your credentials to match the American educational standards.
Nevertheless, professionals from the Philippines and Nigeria take a different process. Due to varied education structures and diverse accreditation standards, all of which can impact how your hard-earned degree is perceived.
This guide breaks down exactly how credential evaluation works for degrees from these two countries. In this career path, it is also important that you ensure your qualifications to receive the recognition they deserve.
Understanding the Education Systems: The Philippines' Education Structure
In recent decades, the Philippine education system has undergone significant reforms. The previous structure is consisting of six years of elementary education, four years of secondary education, and a four-year bachelor’s degree program. However, the shift involved the implementation of the K-12 program in 2013. The system now includes 12 years of basic education before higher education entry. This new arrangement enabled an alignment with international standards.
Filipino bachelor’s degrees span four years, but some programs like engineering and architecture may require five years. Master’s degrees take two to three years of full-time study, while doctoral programs take three to five years. The grading system uses a numerical scale. It ranges from 1.0 (excellent) to 5.0 (failing). A 3.0 represents a passing grade, which is the reverse of the American GPA scale.
Nigeria Education Structure
On the other hand, Nigeria follows the British-influenced 6-3-3-4 system. This is composed of six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of university education. Students must pass the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or the National Examination Council (NECO) examination to gain entry into university.
Nigerian bachelor’s degrees require four years of study, but the professional programs extend longer, like medicine, which takes six years, and law, which takes five years. The grading system varies by institution, but commonly uses classifications such as First Class Honours, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, Third Class, and Pass. Some universities use a 5-point or 4-point GPA scale.
Key Factors in Credential Evaluation
Institutional Accreditation and Recognition
The most important question for degree holders is, ‘How do I know if my university in Nigeria or Philippines is recognized in the U.S.?’
Credential evaluators verify institutional legitimacy through several agencies.
For the Philippines, evaluators check recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This agency regulates and supervises higher education institutions of the country. They also verify whether programs hold proper accreditation from recognized accrediting bodies.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian institutions must be recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for federal universities or by the appropriate regulatory bodies for state and private institutions. Evaluators also see to it whether the institution is listed in recognized international databases of legitimate higher education providers.
Curriculum and Credit Hour Analysis
American credential evaluators examine course syllabi, credit hours, and program content to determine equivalent standards. The Philippine credit system is positively aligned with American standards, as one unit represents one hour of classroom instruction per week. However, evaluators must account for the reform from the old 10-year basic education system to the K-12 model when assessing degrees earned before and after the reform.
The Nigerian credit systems can vary more significantly between institutions. Evaluators analyze the number of contact hours, practical components, and coursework requirements to calculate U.S. semester credit equivalents. They also assess whether the curriculum meets the depth and breadth expected of comparable American programs.
Grading System Conversion
Converting foreign grades to the U.S. GPA scale requires a professional skill of analysis. Credential evaluation in the Philippines processes must account for the inverted numerical scale and institutional variations in grading standards. For instance, a 1.5 grade in the Philippines might translate to an A or A- in the U.S. system, depending on the institution’s grading policies.
Evaluating a Nigerian degree in US standard procedures involves interpreting class rankings and percentage scores. For example, a First-Class Honours degree (70% and above) is equivalent to a GPA between 3.7 and 4.0. The Second Class Upper (60-69%) translates to approximately 3.3-3.6.
Potential Challenges and Additional Requirements
Some credentials may receive conditional equivalency or require supplementary documentation. The pre-K-12 Philippine degrees might need a course-by-course evaluation to demonstrate adequate preparation. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Higher National Diplomas (HND) from polytechnics receive different evaluations than university degrees. This is often equated to associate or bachelor’s degrees, but still, depending on the program.
How ERES Supports International Professionals
It is undeniably helpful that professional credential evaluation services play a vital role in the journey of international degree holders who are navigating U.S. requirements. Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES) has been one of the comprehensive evaluation services that assess foreign educational credentials according to U.S. standards. Founded in 1981, their expertise includes detailed analysis of degrees from various countries, including specific knowledge of educational systems in the Philippines and Nigeria.
ERES has been a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and continually helps professionals pursue employment opportunities, professional licensing, and further education in the United States. At ERES, they provide official documentation that American employers, licensing boards, and educational institutions can readily understand and accept.
Understanding how U.S. credential evaluators assess international degrees helps professionals from the Philippines and Nigeria take appropriate steps toward achieving their American career goals. By ensuring proper documentation and professional evaluation services, foreign credentials can be accurately recognized and valued in the U.S. professional landscape.
