Education system in the United States will almost certainly be different from the system offered in your country. This page gives you an introduction to the degrees available in the United States,different types of institutions and academic calendar.
1.Types of degrees
1.1.Undergraduate degrees
There are two types of undergraduate degrees in the US – an associate’s degree which is a two-year degree awarded by a community, technical or vocational college, and a bachelor’s degree which is a four or five-year degree awarded by a college or university.
1.2.Graduate degrees
In the US, postgraduate study is called ‘graduate’ study. There are two levels of graduate degree programmes in the US – a master’s degree which usually takes one or two years of full-time study to complete and a doctoral degree which usually takes three to five years of full-time study. Both involve a combination of research and coursework.
2.Types of institutions
Degree-granting institutions in the US are referred to as colleges, universities or institutes.
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2.1.Colleges
Generally ,Colleges in USA tend to be smaller and usually offer only undergraduates degrees
Community Colleges Community colleges (junior colleges or two-year colleges)
They are community-based institutions with close links to secondary schools, community groups and employers. They provide two-year associate degree programmes as well as technical and vocational programmes.
Advantages:
- Lower Tuition fees
- Many have agreements to allow students to transfer easily into the third year of a bachelor’s degree at the local state university.
Technical and Vocational Colleges
These institutions specialize in preparing students for entry into, or promotion within, the workplace. They offer certificate and other short-term programmes that train students for a specific vocation or technology. Programmes usually last two years or less.
2.2.Universities
2.2.1.State Universities or public universities
- They are run by US state governments to provide low-cost education to state residents.
- They tend to be very large
Advantages:
- Admit a wider range of students.
- Lower Tuition fees
Please Note: International students and those from other states pay higher fees than residents.
2.2.2.Private Universities
- Private universities are funded by endowments, tuition fees, research grants and gifts from their alumni.
- Tuition fees tend to be higher than at state universities.
- They are generally smaller and may have fewer than 2000 students on their campuses.
Advantages: High quality of education
3.Academic calendar
Academic calendars vary from university to university but generally an academic year starts at the end of August or at the beginning of September and finishes at the end of May.
- The universities have two semesters which are approximately 18 weeks each.
- The Fall semester begins at the end of August or early September.
- The Spring semester starts around January/February