How to Transfer an International Doctorate Degree
If you are transferring to a new country, you may face obstacles regarding the acknowledgment of your degree. Certain rules govern degrees, and there may be requirements that you have to meet before you can use your degree in a new country. You need to determine why you want to transfer the international degree, and what you will use it for.
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Things You'll Need
- University contact information
- Embassy contact information
- Official transcripts and diploma
- Course catalog
- TOEFL scores
- Enrollment
- Research
Instructions
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How to Transfer an International Doctorate Degree
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Contact the embassy office of the country where you obtained the doctorate degree. These embassies will not only have contact information to help you process legal, travel and educational documents, but will also have the means to connect you to the broader community from the country where you obtained the degree. Embassy offices are located in Washington, D.C. Ask your country's embassy if your home country recognizes your school as an accredited university.
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Talk with a representative at a university to transfer your credits. A doctorate degree is an academic degree, which means that you need to be immersed in the academic culture of the new country. You may also make an appointment with a counselor to know your standing and how your degree will be recognized by the university. They will ask for your transcripts, showing the list of classes you have completed, as well as your diploma. Universities may require you to take tests (such as the TOEFL, if you are from a non-English speaking country) to make sure that you are prepared for the coursework in the new country as well as to see if you have adjusted in the new country already.
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Take classes at a university in the country into where you want to transfer your degree. Look through the university's catalog to cross-check the prerequisites you have already completed, and ask the institution about prerequisites you need to complete, if any. This will demonstrate your ability to keep up with the academic culture in the country. In certain fields, such as law and pharmacy, there are professional programs where people with foreign degrees can enroll to update their knowledge and experience. Check if the university in your area has a program like this, because they are specifically geared towards international graduates. Doing so will allow you to acclimate yourself more quickly.
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Do research in the country where you want to make your international doctorate degree current. By collaborating with researchers in that country, you will be opening new dialogues as well as providing your unique perspective in the field. Since you are still trying to build your name, working on research papers or projects with someone established in the field will help add to your credibility in the new country.
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Get recommendations from professors or colleagues. The new country may not recognize your degree; it is up to you to demonstrate the caliber of the degree you hold. Experience is very important, and when you have shown that you have the qualifications and the skills at the doctorate level, it will boost your academic credentials.
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Contact the international program of a university where you want to enroll or teach in. They have resources that will help you go through the process of transferring your degree. They may be able to provide you with funding for certain educational exchanges, or sponsor you to get a degree that will increase your chances for work and other opportunities in the new country. The international office may also be able to assist you with visa and travel issues. Make sure that you take advantage of the resources available to you.
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Resources
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