INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WITH FOREIGN DIPLOMAS 

In order to efficiently evaluate the credentials of applicants with foreign degrees, MTAC requires a course-by- course Foreign Credential Evaluation Report (FCER) from a NACES-approved credential evaluation agency to verify an applicant’s educational background and to determine the authenticity of the applicant’s academic credentials. The FCER needs to be sent directly to MTAC from the credential evaluation agency. 

◆ Transcripts, diplomas, or other academic credentials documenting foreign degrees cannot substitute for the FCER and should not be submitted to the MTAC State Office; documents will not be returned to you.

For a list of all NACES-approved evaluation agencies, please refer to the NACES website at www.naces.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I send my transcripts or a copy of my diploma instead?
A: No. Transcripts, diplomas, or other academic credentials documenting foreign degrees cannot substitute for the FCER and should not be submitted to MTAC unless specifically requested.

Q: What is a Foreign Credential Evaluation Report (FCER)?
A: A foreign credential evaluation report provides a description of an individual’s international education and a recommendation for its U.S. equivalence.

Q: What type of FCER should I use? The credential evaluation service offers a basic (document-by- document) or detailed (course-by-course) report.
A: MTAC requires a detailed (also called “Course-by-Course”) report. This report lists individual courses taken with semester units and individual grade equivalents. If the agency offers reports that list the level of the courses taken (e.g., lower versus upper division, professional, vocational), this is preferable. The detailed report is needed to verify the applicant’s instrument and subject specialties.

Q: What does MTAC look for from a Foreign Credential Evaluation Report?
A: Using data from this report, MTAC establishes the educational equivalence and subject background of an applicant. Specifically, MTAC determines if the applicant has at least the educational equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in music and what instruments or subjects in which the applicant can be qualified.

Q: Which Credential Evaluation Services are approved by MTAC?
A: MTAC recommends the following foreign credential evaluation services:

World Education Services (WES)
www.wes.org
(212) 966-6311 International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
www.ierf.org
(310) 258-9451

Q: Can I use an agency that is not NACES-approved?
A: No. No other credential evaluation services will be accepted.

Q: How long will my FCER take?
A: Preparation times vary, but in general the process can be lengthy, so you should order your FCER as soon as possible to meet MTAC deadlines. If you are close to a deadline, you may want to ask your service for a time estimate to ensure that your documents arrive on time.

Q: Can I order my FCER through MTAC and pay for it all in one check?
A: No. MTAC does not prepare Foreign Credential Evaluation Reports; therefore you will need to pay an outside service, such as those listed above, to prepare one for you. Fees for preparation vary by service.

Q. I’m having trouble gathering my documentation. What should I do?
A: If you feel that you need additional time beyond the 90 day application period, please contact the State Office to let us know. However, please be aware that MTAC does require a course-by-course FCER and cannot make exceptions. Please also be aware that documentation must meet applicable deadlines to qualify for certain programs, such as Certificate of Merit and VOCE, and that exceptions cannot be made.