Degree Mobility in United States and Canada
Woolf offers European-accredited degrees that can be utilized by alumni for academic and professional purposes in North America. However, to use their degrees in the United States or Canada, graduates typically need to obtain an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved evaluation agency. Below is an overview of the process for Woolf alumni seeking ECAs in these regions.
Which Organizations Can Perform the Evaluations?
In both the United States and Canada, the evaluation of foreign educational credentials is carried out by designated agencies:
United States: ECAs are conducted by members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
Recommended Agency: We strongly recommend International Education Evaluations (IEE), a trusted NACES member with whom we have a standing partnership.
Students and partner colleges can apply directly through Woolf's dedicated IEE portal for a streamlined experience: https://myiee.org/university/woolf
This portal simplifies the process and leverages our partnership for optimal results.
Canada: Evaluations are handled by one of the five government-approved agencies designated by Canadian immigration authorities.
Recommended Agency: We strongly recommend Comparative Education Service (CES).
For more information, read Guide to Applying for Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
Do I Need to Apply to WES?
We currently do not recommend applying to World Education Services (WES), as it has been unreliable in our experience and does not evaluate degrees issued by private Maltese institutions.
Here are the key points to understand about credential evaluation in the United States and WES:
Credential evaluations in the U.S. are conducted by NACES-authorized members/agencies (there are about 20 such agencies, including WES).
Unfortunately, WES does not evaluate private Maltese institutions at this time. However, this is not a limitation of all NACES members.
A common misconception is that WES holds a special or superior status. In reality, all NACES members are equally recognized for legal, immigration, employment, and higher education purposes in the U.S. An ECA from any NACES member provides the same validity and recognition and there is no added benefit from WES over others.
We strongly recommend our students (and partner colleges) use International Education Evaluations (IEE), a trusted NACES member with whom we have a standing partnership. Students can apply directly through our dedicated portal for fast, reliable evaluation.
Processing times can vary significantly between evaluators, which can impact immigration applications.
How Are Woolf Degrees Viewed in the United States and Canada?
Woolf degrees have been verified as equivalent to those offered by regionally accredited institutions in the United States. This recognition extends to various practical applications, such as eligibility for H1-B visa cap exemptions and acceptance by school districts. In Canada, Woolf degrees are similarly recognized for purposes related to residency, citizenship, and professional advancement.
For more details on credential assessments, degree recognition, and mobility options, visit our Degree Mobility and Immigration page.
For instructions on demonstrating the equivalence of your Woolf degree (including an unfinished Woolf degree) in the US and Canada, read Guide to Applying for Education Credential Assessment (ECA).