Because your degree from the Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela (UBV) is a Doctorado en Ciencias para el Desarrollo Estratégico, it is classified in the United States as an academic, research-based Ph.D. rather than a clinical medical degree. [1, 2]
To use this degree in the U.S. for work, teaching, or immigration, you do not need to take medical exams like the USMLE. Instead, you must complete an Academic Credential Evaluation to establish its U.S. equivalency. [3, 4]
Step 1: Legalize Your UBV Documents in Venezuela
Before any U.S. agency can evaluate your doctoral degree, your documents must be fully legalized and authenticated: [5, 6]
- GTU Certification: Register and certify your Título de Doctor and Notas Certificadas (transcripts) through the Gestión de Trámites Universitarios (GTU) under the Ministry of Higher Education. [5]
- Apostille: Take the GTU-certified documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) to receive the international Apostille. [5]
- Certified Translation: Have your diploma, transcripts, and thesis abstract translated into English word-for-word by a certified public translator (intérprete público). [7, 8]
Step 2: Choose an Accredited Evaluation Agency [2]
The U.S. government does not evaluate foreign degrees directly. You must hire a private company that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). The most widely recognized agencies for Venezuelan degrees are: [4]
- World Education Services (WES) – Highly preferred by universities and academic institutions.
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) – Known for thorough reviews of postgraduate research.
- International Education Evaluations (IEE) – Fast processing times and widely accepted by employers.
Step 3: Choose the Right Evaluation Type
Depending on your plans in the U.S., you will need to request a specific type of report: [3, 4]
- Document-by-Document Evaluation: Best if you are applying for corporate employment. It simply states that your UBV Doctorado is equivalent to a U.S. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). [2, 3]
- Course-by-Course Evaluation: Necessary if you want to teach at a U.S. university or continue post-doctoral research. It breaks down your 45+ credits into U.S. semester hours and calculates a U.S. GPA equivalent. [2, 3]
- Immigration Evaluation: Specifically formatted for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you are applying for an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card based on your advanced degree. [3]
Expected Outcome
Because the UBV is an officially recognized state university in Venezuela, a NACES-member agency will typically issue an official report stating that you hold the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Strategic Development / Development Studies from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. [2, 9]
To help you plan your next steps, could you tell me:
- What is your immediate goal for this evaluation? (Are you applying for a job, a university teaching position, or an immigration visa?)
- Do you currently have your UBV diploma and transcripts already apostilled, or do you still need to complete the GTU process in Venezuela?
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