Terminology Guide
Accreditation- Recognition from an accrediting agency that a learning partner meets certain educational standards.
American Translators Association (ATA)- The largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the United States. The ATA doesn’t perform translations, but partners with agencies that do.
CAE- If English isn’t your first language, a learning partner may require you to complete an English proficiency exam through the Cambridge Assessment English (CAE).
Course-by-course evaluation- A type of credential evaluation that will identify and describe each one of the courses that were completed outside of the U.S. and compare it to the education system in the U.S., demonstrating exact equivalency.
Credential evaluation- An evaluation of transcripts and other documentation to confirm how foreign credentials are equivalent to education taken in the U.S.
Credential evaluating agency/service- A company that provides evaluation services of credentials earned from outside of the U.S. to determine equivalency.
English proficiency exam/test- A standardized test that a bilingual member may be required to take as part of the admissions process at U.S. universities and colleges. A specific score may be required. The most commonly accepted tests are the Cambridge Assessment English (CAE), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Employer catalog/portal- A Guild term for the portal of in-network programs that are offered by an employer.
Employer education benefit- A Guild term for the education that is offered when an employer partners with Guild.
Employer Partner (EP)- A Guild term for an employer that has partnered with Guild to offer education benefits to employees.
Foreign credentials- Previous education from outside of the United States (U.S.).
Foreign credential fee- A fee attached to a foreign credential service (evaluation fee, translation fee, English proficiency exam/test fee, transcript fee). All services have a fee and a member will need to pay out of pocket for a service.
Note: To confirm which fees may be eligible for reimbursement through your employer/Guild, contact Guild Support.
General evaluation- A type of credential evaluation that provides equivalency but doesn’t include individual courses, grades, or grade point average (GPA). May also be called a document by document evaluation or a general analysis.
Guild application- An application submitted for a program within the Guild catalog/portal.
Guild Support- A support team at Guild that offers assistance via live chat, phone call, or email Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Contact Guild Support by:
Submitting a ticket at http://supportform.guildeducation.com/
Calling 1-800-985-4027
Using the live chat feature in the Guild Member Portal
Help Center- An external resource created and maintained by Guild that shares helpful information for various steps in a Guild member’s journey. The Foreign credentials (FC) article shares information about the FC process.
IELTS- If English isn’t your first language, a learning partner may require you to complete an English proficiency exam through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
In-house credential evaluation- A credential evaluation performed directly by the learning partner. If the learning partner offers evaluations in-house, you aren’t required to use a third-party credential evaluating agency/service.
In-house translation- A credential or transcript translation performed directly by the learning partner.
Note: Some learning partners may require non-English transcripts be translated to English.
If the learning partner offers translations in-house, you aren’t required to use a third-party translation agency/service.
Learner- A Guild term for a student that has enrolled in a program through Guild using their employer’s education benefits.
Learning Partner (LP)- A school, university, college, academic institution, or learning company that Guild has partnered with to offer select programs.
Member- A Guild term for an employee at a company that partners with Guild to offer education benefits.
NACES- The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES doesn’t perform evaluations, but partners with agencies that do.
NACES member agency- A credential evaluating service that belongs to The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Many learning partners require evaluations be completed by a member of NACES.
Secondary application- An application that’s submitted directly to the learning partner, separate from the application submitted through Guild. Many learning partners will require a secondary application for admission.
School Resource Center- A resource created and maintained by Guild that shares next steps at a specific learning partner.
TOEFL- If English isn’t your first language, a learning partner may require you to complete an English proficiency exam through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Transcript- A document that exists as a record of enrollment history. It shows proof of previous education and courses taken at a learning partner, and may be requested for high school and/or college/university level.
Translation- The process of translating words or text from one language into another. An English translation of transcripts is typically required for admission.
Translation agency/service- A company that can provide translations from one language into another. Many learning partners require a member to choose an official translation agency certified by the American Translators Association (ATA).
Word-by-word translation- A literal word-for-word translation of non-English documentation to English.