Transcripts FAQ

  1. I went to the Sackler school of Medicine, NY, an American program in Aviv Israel the Sackler School of Medicine NY American program in Tel Aviv, Israel. Does that fall under a US or non-US terminal program? It is fully accredited by NY state.
  • Per the letter issued by The State Education Department / The University of the State of New York (http://www.sacklerschool.org/about-3/policy/new-york-state-letter/) to Sackler School of Medicine NY, the degree awarded is a US degree.
  • In General, our office will check the medical school website to identify the accrediting body and determine whether the degree awarded is US or non-US.
  1. What do you mean by terminal degree transcript?
  • Terminal degree refers to the highest level of education degree offered in the specific professional field; if you are a clinical faculty, it is your medical degree; if you are a research faculty, then your Ph.D. If you are an MD/PhD, the highest terminal degree will be PhD. However, we will need both transcripts.
  1. What do I do if I graduated 30-40 years ago, and all transcripts are archived and non-electronic?
  • Ask if the faculty can get us unofficial transcripts as temporary information. If the school still has the transcripts, the faculty will have to acquire them.
  • If getting the transcripts is impossible, faculty can provide email documentation of good faith attempts to get them without success. We will file the faculty memo should LCME or SACSCOC ask for justification.
  1. Who is responsible for the cost of requesting the transcripts?
  • Faculty should bear this cost, as this was a condition of their offer letter. This is not and has not been in the past an allowable reimbursement expenditure for the department or office.
  1. I am foreign medical graduate and will you accept my FCVS and ECGMG credentials in lieu of transcripts? (ECFMG reviewed my transcripts.)
  • SACSCOC requires the institution/medical school to have a copy of the original transcripts on record. The original transcript is considered the primary source. FCVS and ECFMG documents are considered secondary sources.
  • For non-US terminal degrees, a course-by-course evaluation of the educational credentials from a recognized U.S. credentialing agency is also required. A list of recognized agencies can be found at: https://www.uth.edu/hr/resources/new-employees/internationalemployees.htm. Electronic/paper transcripts will be accepted but must be submitted directly from the credentialing agency to our office.
  1. Can the faculty submit their transcript directly to OAFA?
  • Transcripts must be received directly from the faculty’s university registrar’s office. OAFA does not accept any transcript copies issued to students (faculty).
  1. Where and to whom do I submit my transcripts?
  • Faculty may request the degree-granting school/college/university to mail the transcripts (mark sheets) to the address below:

           UT Health McGovern Medical School

           Attn: Genesis Campos

           Office of Administration & Faculty Affairs

           6431 Fannin Street, Suite MSB G.150D

            Houston, Texas 77030

  1. I have a PhD and MD, which transcripts do you want?
  • We prefer to have both transcripts.
  1. If I have a foreign medical degree and it is in my native language, do I require a translation?
  • Yes, a certified translation to English is required.
  1. If I’m being re-hired, do I have to submit my transcript again?
  • Please double-check with OAFA; sometimes transcripts are still on file if they were initially submitted, and are still within the retention policy period. If not, you must submit a transcript as stated in your offer letter.
  1. I’m a UTHealth Houston graduate, can you pull my transcript?
  • No, all faculty are responsible for requesting transcripts from the registrar’s office.
  1. I’m a Staff Physician coming in as faculty now. Do I still need to submit my transcript?
  • Yes, Staff Physicians are not required to submit their medical degree transcript to OAFA. However, if the Staff Physician is promoted to a faculty position, they must submit the transcripts to comply with SACSCOC. All incoming faculty are required to do so.
  1. Will OAFA accept my diploma in lieu of my transcript?
  • No, SACSCOC requires the institution/medical school to have a copy of the original transcripts on record. You are, however, welcome to submit a copy of your diploma.
  1. Who can I ask if my transcript or evaluation was received?

Sept. 2024