Does United States recognize a university degree from Canada?

Question

I'm currently studying International Relations at UBC, in Vancouver, Canada. I'm wanting to work in the states, preferrably the east coast upon graduating, but was worried that a Canadian degree may not be well recognized in the States, especially in the East Coast where there are so many other prestigious universities... Now I'm considering transferring to a school there. How renown or recognized is a Canadian degree in the States?

Answer 1

Anlina's answer is excellent, particularly about it depending upon the job you're going for I would like to expand on her answer from a different perspective.

I'm from Massachusetts and and my son is going to school for his B.S. Degree in Canada. In my opinion, a degree which is 'international' to employers in the U.S. is valuable (getting to Anlina's point - depending upon the job/company). Obviously, a degree from UBC is considered 'international' from a U.S. employer's perspective.

Please also consider this.... nearly all Canadian universities are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Many (and you would be suprised by the number) of our politicians and company owners here in New England began their educational careers in Canada. My husband works for a Canadian company --- based in Montreal with a division in New England.

So, from my point of view, Canadian degrees are highly regarded.

Just to put another spin on your question.... Both my husband and I have Master Degrees from New England schools. We moved from New England and to California for a few years. When we returned to New England, we had the highest job opportunity rates ever! For some strange reason, employers seem to think your skill set is much higher if you're coming into their company from another area.

So....bottom line? Don't worry, but embrace your Canadian degree. By virtue of your degree and distance alone, you'll probably surface to the top of the application list.

Good luck!

Answer 2

That's really highly dependent on what you are taking and which university you studied at, and I really don't know what kind of reputation your program has.

Generally, degrees from reputable institutions are pretty widely recognized, though in some fields you may be required to pass an exam to get licensed in your particular locale.

For example, my father was an engineer who studied in Canada, but was qualified to work in several different states as well, because he'd passed the licensing tests for those areas.

You might consider looking around at potential employers in the cities you would like to live and work, and find out what education and qualifications they most like to see when hiring.

Answer 3

UBC has a good reputation, and your degree would be respected, although perhaps employers wouldn't be as familiar with its quality as they would with one from a local school. Still, I know of a number of UBC graduates who have gotten jobs in the U.S.

Answer 4

I would think that most would.