Some programs require a master’s degree, and this must be officially documented before enrollment as well.
Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree are required by some programs to demonstrate a minimum of three years of study beyond the B.S. degree. It’s best to check what documents you’ll need with the staff in your individual program of interest. In all cases, you must have graduated from a college or university that is recognized by the national educational authorities of that country.
You may also use World Education Services (WES) to verify that your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. A WES credential evaluation makes it easier for admissions officers to understand your degrees, courses, and grades in U.S. terms.
General Equivalents to a U.S. Bachelor's Degree (by Country/Region)
Australia and New Zealand
Any of the following is recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree:
- A four-year bachelor's degree; or
- A three-year bachelor's degree combined with a Bachelor's degree with Honours; or
- A three-year bachelor's degree combined with at least one year of completed master's-level study.
Canada
A three-year bachelor's degree from Quebec or a four-year bachelor's degree from the other provinces.
France and Countries Following the French Pattern
A license if earned under the terms of the Bologna Declaration; otherwise a degree or diploma requiring four years of study after the baccalaureate, usually the Maîtrise.
Germany
A Bakkalaureus degree if earned under the terms of the Bologna Declaration; otherwise completion of the diploma.
Other European Countries / European Higher Education Area
Three-year bachelor's degrees from countries that are members of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and have adopted the Bologna Process are recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
For countries in this region not participating in the Bologna Process, a university degree requiring a minimum of four years of study is required.
India
A four-year bachelor's degree in any field is recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
Selected three-year bachelor's degrees (e.g., B.A., B.Sc., B.Com.) may also be considered equivalent when both of the following conditions are met:
- The degree was earned in Division I; and
- The awarding institution is currently accredited by India's National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade of "A" or better (A, A+, or A++). Three-year degrees that do not meet both criteria are generally considered equivalent to three years of undergraduate study, not a full bachelor's degree. Applicants in this category should consult their program of interest directly.
Latin America
A university degree requiring four years of study
Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal
A bachelor's degree requiring four years of study is recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Applicants holding three-year degrees from these countries may be required to submit a credential evaluation from an approved agency. Individual programs may have additional requirements.
Other Countries
A university degree requiring four years of study. For countries not listed above, applicants are encouraged to reach out to their program of interest directly to confirm degree equivalency requirements. In some cases, a credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or another approved NACES or AACRAO member agency may be helpful in supporting your application, though this is not automatically required. Individual programs may have additional requirements.