International Student Graduate Admissions, Michigan State University Foreign Credentials, Fraudulent Documents & Overview of the Chinese Education System Bernard Ramos Director of Evaluations Educational Perspectives, nfp 15 January 2015 International Student Graduate Admissions, Michigan State University

Focus Areas What is a foreign, academic credential? Who is authorized to issue them? How do you maintain the integrity of the document? What can be reviewed, compared, verified and analyzed on a document that can deter and spot fraud? Overview of the Chinese Education System Undergraduate and graduate degree programs Credits and Grading Scale Documentation: Degree Certificate, Graduation Certificate, Academic Transcripts Verification outlets: CDGDC and CHESICC

What is a Foreign Academic Credential? Who issues it? Who is it for? What is considered an official academic credential in the US is based on the document that is considered official in the country of study. Can this document be used in the home country among educational institutions? Or are they useful only for purposes of employment and other uses? Official Documents: The acceptable source for official credentials is from the institution that is authorized to issue them. Sent Direct Documents Original Documents Attested Photocopies Photocopies Non-Official Documents Credentials that are not issued by the appropriate authority or authorized office and department such as a faculty, the dean, a professor, etc. In many cases, documents that are not useful among educational institutions in the country of study Invalidated credentials such as documents issued to students when they specifically state ‘Confidential’ or ‘Not to be issued to Student’

Your Assistance is Requested: Translation and Interpretation In general, it is best to accept academic records in the official language of the country of study, although exceptions apply. In some countries, official credentials are issued in the English language. Call the document based on what it is called in the country of study, not what is interpreted to be in the United States ‘Transcript,’ ‘Plan of Studies,’ ‘Syllabi’ ‘College,’ ‘Postsecondary School,’ ‘Higher Education Institution’ When do you need translations? Who gets to translate the documents? Do you require translations from a reputable/certified translator? Can you rely on your school’s Modern Language Department/Faculty? When you do accept translations, do you require documents in the native language to be submitted? Know the difference between a translation and an interpretation How to identify good or bad translation: Do course titles seem to cater to your faculty’s requirements? Mao Zedong’s Thoughts or Political Theory National ‘Propaganda’ Course or Civic Education History of the Communist Part of China or Political Science

Small Detail ● Big Deal Spotting Fraudulent Information Review and compare the biographical and educational information on the student’s application against their credentials: Check the student’s demographic information: first, middle, last names; date of birth; gender Do the names match? Is it the same person on the application form? Is it possible to get a Bachelor’s degree at age 12? Who is allowed to attend an All-Girls School? A Women’s College of Education? Education History can help evaluate documents and know where to place the credentials in the education ladder Use the applicant’s educational history to check if the order of education is logical and within the context of the educational system and age appropriateness of the student Grades matter Check consistency of grades—be judicious Are all grades ‘A’ ?

Overview of the Chinese Education System Postsecondary Study Zhuanke 专科 programs, Short-Cycle study, Junior College study Typically 3-year programs Generally focused on applied study, for employment Lead to Diplomas Students have the possibility of continuing on to benke degree programs; duration is typically two additional years Benke 本科 programs, Long-Cycle study, Degree Program Duration is typically 4 years for undergraduate study; 5 years for professional study such as Architecture, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine Master 硕士degree programs typically lasts 2 to 3 years The first two or three semesters are spent on taking courses and examinations and the rest is spent on research and thesis preparation

Common Terms Certificate of Graduation 毕业证书 Degree Certificate 学位证书 Bachelor 学士 Master 硕士 Arts/Literature 文学 Economics 经济 Engineering 工 Management 管理 Medicine 医学 Science 理学 Veterinary Medicine 兽医

Grading Scale 4-Point Scale 5-Point Scale Chinese Letter Grade Percentage Character Descriptor EP Grade A 85-100% 优 Excellent B 75-84% 良 Good C 60-74% 及格 or 中 Satisfactory/Pass F 0-59% 不及格 Fail 5-Point Scale Chinese Letter Grade Percentage Character Descriptor EP Grade A 90-100% 优 Excellent B 80-89% 良 Good C 70-79% 中 Satisfactory C+ D 60-69% 及格 Pass E/F 0-59% 不及格 Fail F

Recap An official academic record must be issued by an authority, institution, or office that is authorized to issue them A document that is original may not necessarily mean it is an official academic record. An official academic record may be in an original state or photocopied. The language of the document matters in determining whether the credential is official or not. Know the difference between a translation and interpretation. Call the credential what it is in the home country, not what it is considered to be in the United States Check the names, date of birth, gender if they all match; check consistency of grades Know the difference between a Diploma program and Degree program; zhuanke or short-term cycle and benke or long-term cycle

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Registrar Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Bhavnagar

College Record Transcript Application for Admission to an Educational Institution in the United States (U.S.A.)/Canada/Germany/UK and All Countries College Record Transcript Note: Enter below the information requested for each of the subject which will have been completed before beginning studies in the United States (U.S.A.)/ Canada/ UK/ Germany & all other countries. Enter subject in chronological order. And evaluation will be made on the basis of the statement made below.

Swami Sahajanand College Of Commerce & Management Statement of Marks Registrar signature Principal Swami Sahajanand College Of Commerce & Management Bhavnagar

Notarial Translation, not official credential

Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People’s Republic of China Certificate Bachelor Degree Engineering Bachelor Degree Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People’s Republic of China Shanghai University

Graduation Certificate Benke program Four years

Academic Affairs Office of Northwest A & F University Print Date 2014/08/28

Education System: 5 years Rated Credit: 205 Acquired Credit: 189.50

Non-academic qualification

BA Thesis?

Master Degree Engineering

Fraud

Fraud

Thank you Bernard Ramos Director of Evaluations bramos@edperspective.org