A common question from international students is, “Will US employers accept my degree from abroad?” We’re here to give you a deeper look into this.
The short answer is, yes, the majority of US employers will accept your international degree. However, there may be additional steps that you need to take as an international applicant that domestic applicants don’t have to worry about.
One of the main issues is that employers are often unsure if your degree from abroad can be considered equivalent to a similar degree from the US. Employers might not have the expertise or the time to research education systems from other countries. This is where evaluation companies come into play.
Employers will often use a third-party evaluation company, such as Scholaro, to determine the US equivalence of your degree from abroad. These evaluation companies have expertise in international education systems, and use their extensive knowledge to assess your documents (such as diplomas and transcripts.) The evaluation company will then provide an evaluation report to your employer. This helps employers to be certain that your Bachelor’s degree from Turkey, for example, is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from the US.
Depending on your field and the US state you are applying in, there might be additional requirements that US employers will look for. For example, in fields such as nursing and education, you might need to take a state examination and obtain licensure to practice in your field. You can usually find these requirements on the website of the appropriate examining board. Employers might also consider the practical elements of your international degree, such as if you completed internships or other practical hours.
Overall, the answer to the question, “Will US employers accept my degree from abroad?” is that US employers are often more than happy to accept international applicants. You simply need to check with the specific employer and ask about their requirements during the application process.
