At Louisville Beauty Academy, we are committed to creating opportunities for everyone, including immigrants and individuals with foreign educational backgrounds. To ensure compliance with state licensing requirements and provide all students with a seamless admission process, we want to address the translation and validation of foreign high school diplomas. This step is crucial for applicants with educational credentials earned outside the United States.
What is Translation?
Translation involves converting your foreign high school diploma or transcript into English. This ensures that the educational content is clear and understandable to U.S.-based institutions, employers, or licensing boards.
• Who Performs Translation?
Translation must be done by a certified translator or an approved organization. For Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology requirements, Catholic Charities is a trusted provider of certified translations. Other nationally recognized services include translators certified by the American Translators Association (ATA).
• Why is Translation Important?
Translation guarantees that the content of your diploma or transcript is accurate and ready for review by Louisville Beauty Academy or other institutions. It includes details like your school name, student name, graduation date, and relevant coursework.
What is Validation (Credential Evaluation)?
Validation, also known as credential evaluation, is the process of verifying that your foreign diploma is authentic and determining its equivalency to U.S. educational standards. This step is essential to confirm that your educational qualifications meet the requirements for admission or licensing in the United States.
• Who Performs Validation?
Credential evaluation agencies perform this service. Recognized agencies include:
• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
• Why is Validation Important?
Validation ensures your diploma meets U.S. high school graduation standards, which is often required for enrolling in a beauty academy or obtaining a state cosmetology license. Credential evaluation provides an official equivalency statement, such as, “Equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.”
Key Differences Between Translation and Validation
Aspect Translation Validation
Purpose Converts language of the document Confirms authenticity and equivalency
Performed by Certified translators Credential evaluation agencies
Cost Typically lower Higher due to research and verification
Usage Makes the document readable in English Verifies compliance with U.S. standards
Steps for Applicants to Complete Translation and Validation
1. Obtain Your Foreign Diploma
Ensure you have a physical or digital copy of your original high school diploma or transcript.
2. Choose a Translation Service
• Use a certified service like Catholic Charities or an ATA-certified translator.
3. Select a Credential Evaluation Agency
• Agencies like WES, ECE, or IERF are widely recognized and accepted for validation in the U.S.
4. Submit Your Documents
• Provide the translated document to a credential evaluation agency for validation. The agency will assess your diploma’s authenticity and equivalency.
5. Submit to Louisville Beauty Academy
• Once you have the translated and validated document, include it in your application to Louisville Beauty Academy.
Why Choose Louisville Beauty Academy?
At Louisville Beauty Academy, we pride ourselves on our inclusive approach to education. Whether you’re a local student or an immigrant with international credentials, we aim to provide you with the tools and opportunities to succeed in the beauty industry. By partnering with approved translation and validation services, we ensure that your application process is smooth and efficient.
If you have any questions about translating or validating your foreign diploma, feel free to reach out to us at Louisville Beauty Academy. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s help you take the first step toward a rewarding career in the beauty industry!
