u Overview

The structure and content of this step-by-step guidance on how to assess an academic credential issued outside Canada was developed on the basis of the European Area of Recognition (EAR) Manual and European Recognition Manual for Higher Education Institutions (EAR-HEI). It provides a pan-Canadian perspective and terminology.

u Learn about the education systems in the 13 provinces and territories of Canada

Learn about the qualifications frameworks and the particular characteristics of the 13 education systems in Canada.

For internal procedures:

l Learn about the particular characteristics of the 13 provincial and territorial education systems in Canada, such as:

² structure of the each education system;

² types of educational institutions within each classification structure;

² quality-assurance practices;

² legal framework, enabling the:

n operation of educational institutions (e.g., use of the term “university” in its name);

n delivery of academic programs (e.g., vocational training registration);

n issuing of specific academic credentials (e.g., authorization to issue degrees through ministerial consent).

l Learn about the types and levels of academic credentials typically issued within each of the 13 education systems through:

² their respective qualifications frameworks;

² visual diagrams that illustrate the various levels found in their respective systems.

u Learn about the education system of the issuing country

Situate the academic credential in context by learning about the qualifications framework and particular characteristics of the relevant education system outside Canada.

For internal procedures:

l Learn about the particular characteristics of the issuing country's:

² education system structure;

² types of educational institutions within its classification structure

² quality-assurance practices

² legal framework that enables the:

n operation of educational institutions (e.g., the use of the term “university” in its name);

n delivery of academic programs;

n issuing of specific academic credentials (e.g., degrees).

² Learn about the types and levels of academic credentials typically issued within this education system:

n use the qualifications framework (if one exists).

To obtain this information, consult the issuing country's Web sites and/or contact the competent authorities. These are usually the:

l government ministry/department responsible for education;

l quality-assurance/accrediting agency;

l licensing and professional authorities for regulated occupations;

l national information centre.

u Examine various aspects of the academic credential

Use CAED's Directory of Offshore Schools and International Education Resources as a starting point to locate the names of competent authorities for specific countries.

l Examine various aspects of the academic credential, such as:

² admission requirements, in terms of meeting the acceptable threshold (e.g., Completion of the High School Graduation Diploma);

² level, within the developmental continuum (e.g., qualifications framework);

² workload, as a quantitative measure of learning activities (e.g., hours, years, credits);

² overall quality, as measured through:

n student achievement (e.g., grades);

n the academic program and educational institution (e.g., external quality-assurance procedures);

n internal ranking systems (e.g., Pakistan Higher Education Commission University Ranking).

² profile describing the academic program's:

n content (e.g., multi-, inter-, or mono-disciplinary);

n purpose (e.g., further studies, direct labour-market entry, granting access to a regulated occupation).

² learning outcomes, highlighting what the credential holder is expected to:

n know;

n understand; and

n demonstrate.

Detailed information may be readily accessible on the Web site of the issuing educational institution.

Some features may also be outlined in the Diploma Supplement, facilitating the assessment process. However, not all jurisdictions have adopted this recognition tool, and it does not always accompany documents.

u Compare similar academic credentials issued within Canada

Find other academic credentials issued by institutions in Canada that may lead to similar outcomes.

For internal procedures:

l Examine typical characteristics of a similar academic credential found in one of the provincial/territorial education systems, such as:

² level;

² workload;

² overall quality;

² profile;

² learning outcomes.

l Identify comparable academic credentials using:

² qualifications frameworks;

² visual diagrams that illustrate the various levels found in individual education systems.

l Compare your findings with the range of outcomes identified by the pan-Canadian academic credential assessment community using CAED's Directory of Comparability Assessment Outcomes;

l Consult other internal and external resources to support your process. CAED's tool box can support your research process and provide a space to consult with other members of the pan-Canadian academic credential assessment community.

u Determine whether there are any substantial differences

Compare both perspectives, ensuring a fair comparability process and enabling you to form an opinion on the outcome.

For internal procedures:

l Consult precedents for any previous similar applications processed by your organization in the past. It may be exactly the same or share similarities, such as the:

² issuing educational institution;

² completed academic program;

² academic credential obtained after completion.

l Consult precedents from:

² within the concerned jurisdiction;

² other jurisdictions with a similar education system structure.

l Compare your findings with the range of outcomes identified by the pan-Canadian academic credential assessment community using CAED's Directory of Comparability Assessment Outcomes;

l Document the rationale for your decision if you found a substantial difference in the comparability process. If a precedent is found, the written rationale used to substantiate previous decisions may prove extremely useful;

l Consult other internal and external resources to support your process. CAED's tool box can support your research process and provide a space to consult with other members of the pan-Canadian academic credential assessment community.