Academic Record Requirements

Academic records must be submitted in the original language and format, and accompanied by an English translation. These records should include your full name and a complete list of courses taken and grades received; any exam results; and all diplomas or certificates earned. They should indicate the number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours completed for all classroom, lecture, and laboratory coursework, and information about the school's grading scale.

Copies of Official Documents May be Submitted as Part of the Application File

Applicants with international academic credentials may submit copies of official documents for purposes of completing an application file, although these must be accompanied by an affidavit of document authenticity. Students applying through the Office of International Student Services will be provided guidance for establishing an Atlas account to which academic documents can be securely uploaded, together with an electronic affidavit.

Students applying through the Office of Admissions should request this affidavit by writing admissions@iusb.edu. DO NOT EMAIL your documents; this is not a secure way to transmit them. Please use the Atlas system to upload your records, or you can mail, fax (574-520-4834) or submit the documents in person.

English Translations

Any documents submitted in a language other than English must be translated into English. Please discuss your translation options with a staff member of the Office of International Student Services.

Official Academic Records Must be Submitted After Admission

You must submit official academic records in the first semester of enrollment in order to register for a subsequent semester. Records are considered official when the issuing institution sends them directly to IU South Bend. Coursework from one institution reported as transfer credit on another school's transcript cannot be recognized without the transcript from the original institution. Exam results must also be sent directly from the testing agency to IU South Bend. Credential evaluations completed by private agencies (i.e., WES, ECE, etc.) are not considered official transcripts or diploma substitutes, although you may submit these evaluations in lieu of official English translations.

When the issuing school will not send the transcripts directly to IU South Bend you may submit an unaltered photocopy, certified by the appropriate school official. These documents must be issued on official stationery with an original ink stamp or raised seal and the original signature of the principal, registrar, or other officer. In cases where the local, state, or national government retains educational records, the original signature of an appropriate officer and/or the raised seal or ink stamp of the appropriate agency will constitute official certification. Certification by a public notary is not acceptable. IU South Bend may contact the issuing school or government agency to verify the authenticity of documents. IU South Bend is unable to transfer credit until the official documents have been submitted for review.

Please let us know if you have questions about how to submit official transcripts.

If you have not attended post-secondary school or you have less than one year of full-time college-level study, you must submit the following:

Official copies of all secondary school certificates, certificates of education, or matriculation examinations (result slips are not acceptable unless submitted by an IU South Bend-recognized sponsoring agency); and
Official transcripts for each term or year of study, showing courses, credits and grades, from each high school and post-secondary school you attended.

If you have completed more than one year of full-time post-secondary study (30 or more transferable semester hours, excluding English as a Second Language courses and failing grades), you are not required to provide secondary school records, but you may wish to submit them if your grades are strong. Your university records should show a complete list of courses taken, grades received, and any diplomas or certificates earned.

You must submit official transcripts and diplomas of all academic course work completed after graduation from high school.

If you are still unsure about what documents to submit, please contact us.

Note: All documents submitted become the property of IU South Bend. Hard copies are scanned and retained for one year, after which they will be destroyed. Please allow several weeks, as the documents may be stored off-site.

Academic Record Requirements