Crafting a Legacy in International Education
For over two decades, Arizona International Credential Evaluators has meticulously cultivated a sterling reputation as the premier provider of top-tier, trustworthy evaluations within the state of Arizona. With a combined wealth of over 70 years of specialized expertise among our evaluators, we guarantee precise assessments of your credentials.
As a distinguished private institution, we specialize in evaluating educational achievements attained beyond the borders of the United States. Our evaluations are esteemed and relied upon by a broad spectrum of entities, including educational establishments at all levels, state regulatory boards, discerning employers, immigration attorneys, and the esteemed U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
At Arizona International Credential Evaluators, we take pride in our meticulous management and continual enhancement of an extensive array of reference materials. Through rigorous research endeavors in comparative education, we ensure our evaluations remain at the pinnacle of accuracy and reliability. Specifically, we meticulously scrutinize secondary-level (high school) documents to ascertain their comparability within the U.S. educational framework. In instances where foreign high school transcripts encapsulate collegiate-level experiences, we may even recommend limited transfer credits, underlining our commitment to facilitating seamless transitions.
Moreover, we meticulously validate the credentials of university-level institutions by directly liaising with the pertinent ministries of education. This rigorous authentication process ensures the utmost authenticity of the documents submitted for evaluation.
When it comes to evaluating university-level credentials, our discerning assessments serve two pivotal purposes: recommending U.S. university degree equivalences and exploring potential transfer credits. Our determination of U.S. degree equivalence is predicated upon a comprehensive analysis encompassing content, duration of study, and the perceived standing of a particular qualification within its country of origin.
At Arizona International Credential Evaluators, our unwavering dedication to precision, integrity, and professionalism underscores every facet of our evaluations, ensuring that each assessment we deliver is not just a document, but a testament to our commitment to excellence.
Why Choose Arizona International Credential Evaluators
Over more than 20 years, Arizona International Credential Evaluators has built a reputation for providing high-quality, credible evaluations in Arizona. Our evaluators collectively possess over 70 years of expertise in the field, allowing them to evaluate your credentials accurately.
History
In 2003, Brian Bates founded Arizona International Credential Evaluators to provide high-quality foreign credential evaluations to individuals seeking to enroll in postsecondary schools, seek employment, or obtain professional credentials within Arizona. Following a decades-long career in higher education, including serving as the Vice President for Admissions and Student Affairs at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Mr. Bates determined to use his expertise to help those seeking a foreign credential evaluation in Arizona. Arizona International Credential Evaluators quickly established itself as a reliable provider of rigorous credential evaluations in the state. The organization continued in that role for the following two decades under Mr. Bates’ leadership.
In 2022, Mr. Bates sold Arizona International Credential Evaluators to International Alliance Group (IAG), a company committed to helping qualified individuals from other countries leverage their education and expertise to find career or college opportunities in the US.
Committed to preserving the legacy of providing rigorous, high-quality evaluations Mr. Bates fostered as the founder of the agency, in 2023 IAG established Arizona International Credential Evaluators under an independent LLC, International Education Services Group. While no longer at the helm, Mr. Bates continues to provide invaluable professional guidance and advice. Others who have helped shape Arizona International Credential Evaluators continue to be involved, including Maxine McCarty, who leads the evaluation processes and decisions in her role as Director of Evaluation Policy.
Mission
Arizona International Credential Evaluators empowers internationally educated individuals to obtain educational or employment opportunities in the United States (US) by ensuring accurate, fair recognition of their international education in US terms.
Vision
Our vision is a globally connected world where the value of education transcends borders, creating equitable opportunities for all to thrive, learn, and work freely.
Core Values
In alignment with our mission and vision, Arizona International Credential Evaluators has established the following core values from which it operates.
1. Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of integrity in evaluating and recognizing educational qualifications, ensuring that the process is fair and unbiased.
2. Accuracy: We meticulously assess and validate educational qualifications to provide precise and reliable results.
3. Transparency: We are committed to providing clear and accessible information about the credential evaluation process and outcomes.
4. Professional Community: We actively engage with and contribute to a professional community dedicated to international credential evaluation, sharing expertise and best practices to improve the industry's standards and efficacy.
5. Empowerment: Our primary goal is to empower individuals by ensuring their educational qualifications are recognized.
6. Equal Opportunity: We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive in different places, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity.
7. Ethical Behavior: The organization places a strong emphasis on ethical behavior, ensuring that all evaluations are conducted with the highest ethical standards to maintain trust and integrity in the evaluation process.
8. Consistency: We aim to provide standardized and equitable evaluations to ensure that individuals receive consistent and reliable results.
9. Inclusion: Inclusivity is a core value. We are dedicated to recognizing and accommodating diverse educational backgrounds and experiences.
10. Fairness: Fairness is a guiding principle. We strive to eliminate bias and prejudice in the evaluation process.
11. Commitment to Excellence: We continuously seek to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our services, setting high standards for ourselves and the industry as a whole.
12. Lifelong Learning: We are dedicated to continuous improvement and staying at the forefront of educational evaluation practices, adapting to evolving international educational standards.
Code of Ethics
Arizona International Credential Evaluators is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and fairness in our evaluation processes. We recognize the significant impact our evaluations can have on individuals' lives, educational opportunities, and professional aspirations. Therefore, we adhere to the following code of ethics to ensure transparency, accuracy, and ethical conduct in all aspects of our operations:
- Integrity and Objectivity
We carry out our evaluations with the utmost integrity, objectivity, and impartiality. Our assessments adhere to established standards, guidelines, and best practices within the field of foreign credential evaluation. We actively avoid any conflicts of interest that could compromise the accuracy or fairness of our evaluations. - Confidentiality and Privacy
We respect the privacy and confidentiality of all applicant information. Personal data is handled securely and in accordance with relevant data protection laws. We disclose information solely to authorized individuals or institutions with proper consent, legal obligation, or legitimate relevance to the evaluation process. - Professional Competence
We maintain a high level of professional competence and expertise within the field of foreign credential evaluation. Our evaluators are knowledgeable and experienced and continuously update their knowledge to remain current with evolving educational systems, credentialing practices, and evaluation methodologies. - Transparency and Accuracy
We are dedicated to providing transparent and accurate evaluations to our clients. Our assessment reports clearly articulate the methodologies, criteria, and assumptions used during the assessment process. We ensure that our evaluations are based on reliable and verifiable information, and we make reasonable efforts to authenticate the credentials presented by applicants. - Fairness and Non-Discrimination
We treat all applicants with fairness, respect, and dignity, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Our evaluations are conducted without bias, prejudice, or discrimination, and we actively endorse diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
- Professional Development and Ethical Awareness
We encourage our team members to engage in ongoing professional development activities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness. We provide training, resources, and support to ensure that our evaluators adhere to the highest ethical standards and ethical decision-making processes. - Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We adhere to all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards governing the field of foreign credential evaluation. We maintain the necessary licenses, permits, and accreditations required for legal and ethical operation. - Client Relationships and Communication
We establish and maintain professional relationships with our clients based on trust, respect, and open communication. We respond promptly to inquiries, provide accurate information, and offer reliable advice and guidance concerning foreign credential evaluation matters. - Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance
We are committed to continuous improvement and quality assurance within our evaluation processes. We regularly review and enhance our methodologies, practices, and internal controls to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of our evaluations. - Ethical Complaints and Grievance Procedures
We offer a fair and accessible process for addressing ethical complaints and grievances. We take such matters seriously and investigate them promptly and thoroughly. We strive to resolve any issues in a fair and equitable manner, respecting the rights and interests of all parties involved.
By adhering to this Code of Ethics, we demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and integrity in foreign credential evaluation. We believe that our ethical conduct contributes to the trust and confidence placed in our services by applicants, institutions, and other stakeholders.
Meet the Team
Maxine McCarty – Director of Evaluation Policy
Maxine McCarty has worked in international education since 1966 as an international credentials evaluator and senior evaluator in the international admissions and administration offices at UCLA, USC, International Education Research Foundation (IERF), West Coast University and Arizona International Credentials Evaluators. Ms. McCarty has served in leadership positions in several international education organizations, including NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, AACRAO, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. She is the co-author of The Educational System of Spain, published by ECE, and editor of and contributor to The New Country Index, published by Ten Speed Press, 2004.
Gunnar Danell – Senior Credential Evaluator
Gunnar Danell is a senior evaluator at Arizona International Credential Evaluators with more than twenty years of experience in the field of international education, including working with graduate admissions at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a graduate of the University of Uppsala and has contributed to The New Country Index, published by Ten Speed Press.
Lela Arabuli – Evaluator
Lela Arabuli is an international education professional with over nine years of experience in foreign credential evaluations and international education consultations. She was a team leader for German-speaking and former USSR countries’ evaluations at a NACES-accredited evaluations firm and speaks fluent Georgian, Russian, German, and English. Ms. Arabuli holds a master’s degree in double-major Media Studies and American Cultural Studies. She is the author of the 2008 NAFSA Publication “Online Guide on Educational Systems Around the World – Georgia”.
Sabine Bachner – Evaluator
Sabine joined Arizona International Credential Evaluators in 2017 and brings a depth of global experiences to her role. She holds a master’s degree in teaching foreign languages. She has extensive experience in education, having taught for over a decade at middle school to undergraduate levels on three continents in various countries, including South Africa, Germany, Puerto Rico, and the US. She loves languages and exploring foreign cultures. She has extensive entrepreneurial experience in for-profit and non-profit organizations, but her passion lies in education. Her mission is to be an advocate for change, and she believes that a global approach to education can unite the world.
“Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself.” - Mark A. Cooper.
Jennifer Kerrick – Credential Evaluation Analyst
Jennifer Kerrick is a seasoned professional with 22 years of dedicated service and sales experience. Her career has been defined by a passion for finding solutions to meet client needs, an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service, and meticulous attention to detail in all her work. With a strong background in operations, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience that aids her in her current role, ensuring efficient and effective processes. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys music, baseball, hiking, snow skiing, and spending time with her family. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela “Happiness comes from following your passion, excellence comes from work you are passionate about.” Unknown
Scott Campbell – President
Scott Campbell brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and higher education compliance and accreditation. Scott served as the Executive Director of State Compliance and Accreditation for Grand Canyon University, where he developed a system to provide daily public disclosures for over 200 programs articulating each program’s ability to meet licensure requirements in each state and territory within the US. Additionally, Scott led the team responsible for partnering with college leadership on accreditation and reaccreditation activities related to each of the University’s programmatic accreditations. Scott holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He has a passion for global education, cross-cultural communication, and ensuring people’s education is assessed accurately to eliminate roadblocks to global mobility.
“I am a citizen of the world.” - Diogenes.
Brian Bates – Founder
In addition to being the founder of Arizona International Credential Evaluators, Brian Bates is an international education professional with more than fifty years of experience in graduate and undergraduate admissions and administration. Mr. Bates has served in leadership positions in several international education organizations, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, of which he is a Life Member, and AACRAO, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.