General Evaluation or Course-by-course evaluation: What is the difference?

Applying for a U.S. university or professional visa often starts with a moment of frustration: realizing your foreign academic records need a U.S. equivalent. Many applicants order a high-level general evaluation only to receive an email that stings: “We need a course-by-course breakdown.” This mistake can stall your progress for weeks and force you to pay an additional $200 to $250 to fix an entirely avoidable error. This “evaluation error” is a critical hurdle, especially as international student enrollment in the U.S. reached 1.16 million in late 2025.

The emotional toll of seeing your professional dreams paused due to a technicality is immense. Whether you are navigating a high-stakes H-1B application or a selective graduate program, the pressure to prove your academic history correctly is non-negotiable. For the individual student or job seeker, these aren't just market statistics; they represent the reality that a percentage of all evaluation orders involve picking the wrong report type. The biggest point of confusion is often the simplest: a General Evaluation is not a Course-by-Course Evaluation.

In this article, we’ll break down general vs. course-by-course evaluations, explain where document-by-document reports fit in, and help you choose the right option the first time so you can stay on track with your goals.

Let’s get right into it!

What is a Credential Evaluation?

A credential evaluation converts your non-U.S. education into a U.S. format, so an admissions officer or employer can quickly understand what you earned. It typically confirms the awarding institution, the credential level, and the dates of attendance. This conversion is vital because U.S. systems do not read foreign records the same way, which often creates an interpretation burden for reviewers. Check out our article about international high school diploma validation to see how foundational records are handled.

You will see credential evaluations requested across three primary buckets: education, employment, and immigration. Schools use them to decide admission level, while employers want a clear degree equivalency for their HR files. Immigration processes may need proof that your education matches a U.S. specialty occupation standard.

You will also hear NACES mentioned in many applications. Some universities and licensing boards prefer or require evaluations from NACES member agencies, so always check the exact wording on your school or board checklist. We provide a specialized alternative that covers the majority of professional and visa needs without the legacy backlogs.

Types of Credential Evaluation: A Quick Overview

Credential evaluations usually come in three report types, and the names can be confusing. A General Evaluation answers "What is this degree in U.S. terms?" while a Course-by-Course Evaluation answers "What is inside this degree?" The latter includes every class, credit, and grade equivalent, which is necessary for detailed academic reviews.

Next, we will compare General vs. Course by Course in detail, so you can pick the right report the first time and move forward with your career or studies.

General Evaluation: What is Inside and Who Needs It

A General Evaluation is the high-level option. It confirms who awarded the credential, what it equals in U.S. terms, and your field of study. It acts as a degree equivalency summary rather than a deep dive into individual classes. This report is a good fit when the person reviewing your file mostly needs a clear yes or no on your education level.

That is why it is commonly used for employment verification and many immigration situations. USCIS typically focuses on the degree level to meet specialty occupation criteria. It usually falls short for university admissions because it does not calculate a U.S. GPA.

Course-by-Course Evaluation: The Standard for Students

A Course-by-Course evaluation is the deep dive report type. It lists each course from your transcript and converts it into U.S. credit equivalents. This report maps your grades to a U.S. scale and includes a full GPA calculation. It also flags key details like the level of study and subject areas, allowing an admissions officer to see exactly what you completed.

This is the report most universities mean when they talk about an academic transcript evaluation. They use it for admissions decisions and placing you in the right program level. It is also required for transfer credits since schools need course-level detail to decide what can move over. Check out our article about degree combination limits to see how multiple programs are evaluated.

Document-by-Document vs. Course-by-Course: Do Not Get Tripped Up

Document by document sounds like it should list every class, but it usually refers to a General Evaluation. This means it summarizes each credential but skips the course lines and GPA calculation. This confusion is why the general vs course by course evaluation question matters; one answers what the degree is, and the other answers what is inside it.

Here is how people get burned. A university checklist says "document by document," and you assume it is course-level detail, only for admissions to come back later asking for more. Or you apply for a job and order a course-by-course report just to be safe, only to realize you overpaid for details that the HR manager will never look at. We help you navigate these choices to ensure you get exactly what is required.

How to Know Which Evaluation You Actually Need

Use a simple decision tree: start with who is asking for the report. Universities and transfer credit reviews almost always mean course-by-course. USCIS or an employer usually means General. Licensing boards are the strict wildcard; they typically require course-by-course and may want proof of specific hours. Check out our article about expert opinion letters if you are filing for an H-1B visa.

Scenario check: if you are a student picking up where you left off, you will need those course lines. If you are an H-1B applicant, proving you meet an education requirement, start with a General Evaluation. Only upgrade if your attorney or a specific USCIS notice says otherwise. Always check the exact wording on your checklist to avoid paying for details that are not requested.

What Happens If You Order the Wrong Report?

Ordering the wrong report usually hits you in two ways: you either stall your application or you pay twice. Universities will reject a general report if they need a GPA, forcing you to reorder and wait again. On the flip side, job and immigration cases only need degree equivalency, so a course-by-course report means spending extra for details that go unused.

The higher cost is time. Fixing an evaluation order often adds weeks to your timeline while the evaluator reprocesses your file. This delay can push back enrollment, job start dates, and visa timelines. It is not just annoying; it can change your entire arrival schedule.

MotaWord Academic Evaluations: Fast, Accurate, and Trusted

When you are trying to avoid a wrong report redo, we make it simple to get the right evaluation the first time. We deliver both report types depending on what your school or employer asked for. Our reports are used for USCIS, schools, and employers with a focus on high speed and total compliance.

Here is what you get with us:

• 72-Hour Delivery: Most evaluations are completed in three business days.
• Affordable Pricing: Standard Evaluations for $65 and Course by Course for $120.
• Broad Acceptance: Built to meet the standards required for professional and visa use.
• Integrated Workflow: Pair your evaluation with certified translation for a seamless submission.

We help you avoid overpaying by matching the report to your goal.

Important Note: Please verify with your prospective U.S. schools whether they require a NACES-member evaluation service before ordering, as university admissions often have specific membership requirements.

FAQ

What is the cost difference between General and Course-by-Course evaluations?

At MotaWord, a Standard Evaluation is $65 while a Course-by-Course report is $120. This is significantly lower than legacy agencies, where Course by Course analysis can exceed $250 plus delivery fees.

Which evaluation does USCIS accept?

For many USCIS needs, a General Evaluation is enough since the goal is degree equivalency. Check the exact request from your attorney.

Can I upgrade from General to Course-by-Course later?

Yes, but it usually involves full reprocessing and additional fees. It is much faster and cheaper to pick the right one at the start.

What if my transcript is not in English?

You will need a certified translation before an evaluator can review it. We handle both steps in a single, coordinated workflow to save you time.

Are our evaluations accepted by U.S. universities?

Many schools accept our professional reports, but each university sets its own rules. Always match the exact wording on your admissions checklist and check for NACES-specific requirements.

Know the Difference, Choose Right with MotaWord

Choosing between a general vs course by course evaluation is the difference between moving forward and paying twice. Students need course-level detail for GPA and transfer decisions, while many job seekers only need degree equivalency. Fixing an order can add weeks to your timeline and cost you a job or a school spot.

We make the types of credential evaluation simple. You tell us your goal, and we will help you pick the right report the first time. If your documents are not in English, we can bundle certified translation so your process never hits a wall.

Are you ready to secure the right report for your U.S. future? Get started with MotaWord Academic Evaluation Services today and move forward with total confidence.

Mark Rogers - Head of Evaluation Services at MotaWord

Mark is a credentials evaluator expert with over five years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated a keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of international education systems, contributing to his reputation as a trusted authority in the field of credentials evaluation.