Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
Spring 5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Social Work
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Dr. Wayne Paris
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Dr. Alan Lipps
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Kendra Paris
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the re-certification process for college- educated immigrants in the United States, Canada, and Texas. Underemployment is a problem among foreign trained professionals in the United States. Additionally, this study serves as a guide for the International Rescue Committee to assist future clients. The guide provides a general outline for the licensure process within three professions in Texas. A sample of 192 participants was collected from existing client files from a resettlement agency in Texas. The researcher found approximately 24% of participants were college-educated. An advanced level of English proficiency did not correlate to higher education levels among participants. The re-certification process in Texas for three professions— dentists, nurses, and physical therapists—were discussed. Canada recognized the problem of underemployment among immigrants and implemented the Pan-Canadian Framework in 2009. Many states have passed recent policies that are relevant to foreign-trained professionals. A more focused study is needed to examine brain waste among internationally trained professionals in the United States.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Shelton, Mary Beth, "The Re-certification Barriers in the United States: Comparing Refugee Professional Credentials to Texas Standards" (2018). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 99.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/99