1. 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

2. 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

3. 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’

4. 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

5. 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’ ?

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

11. Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Registrar
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University
Bhavnagar

12. 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.

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

14. Notarial Translation, not official credential

17. 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

19. Graduation Certificate
Benke program
Four years

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

29. Education System: 5 years
Rated Credit: 205
Acquired Credit:

30. Non-academic qualification

31. BA Thesis?

34. Master Degree
Engineering

35. Fraud

36. Fraud

37. Thank you Bernard Ramos Director of Evaluations