Post-Secondary transcripts from universities outside the United States must evaluated to determine course transferability.

SMSU requires transcript evaluations be done by Education Credential Evaluators Inc. (ECE). This company specializes in evaluation of international courses and will document how classes equate to Southwest Minnesota State University’s classes.

This credit evaluation is not a requirement for admission; however, all students who are considered transfer students are exempt from University policy requiring all new freshmen to live on campus for their first academic year. Students must have past post-secondary courses and must have submitted their college transcripts to ECE for evaluation to be exempt from this policy.

If the ECE evaluation is not done during the application process, students will be admitted as incoming freshmen. Class standing will be re-evaluated once the University has received the ECE evaluation. Students should be aware that failure to submit an ECE evaluation in a timely manner could have a negative impact on academic advising.

** Be aware that some consulates around the world believe that this evaluation should be completed before you attempt the visa interview.

Southwest Minnesota State University understands that there is no guarantee that you will be granted a Visa even though you have been admitted to the University. Furthermore, it is understood that the cost of the ECE evaluation ($225) in addition to the SEVIS fee ($100) and the SMSU Application fee ($20) represent an investment on the part of the student and family. For this reason, SMSU does not fully require the ECE prior to your arrival on campus to begin your studies.

At your request, we will put the following statement on your I20 under the comments section:
“Due to the costly nature of this evaluation, credits from the student’s prior university will be evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators Inc. upon arrival to the US. Student's Class standing will be re-evaluated at that time.”

If you wish to complete the ECE evaluation before you arrive, an ECE application can be downloaded from www.ece.org .