The US higher education system is considered one of the best in the world,
and offers flexible study opportunities at over 4,000 colleges and universities. US degrees
are recognized worldwide for their academic excellence and enhanced learning experiences.
If you want to study in the USA, understanding the US higher education system is vital.
Whether you plan to get a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree from one of the many
universities in the USA, it is important to learn how it works. watch this video
to make the most of your opportunity to pursue post-secondary education in the United States.
What Is the Structure of the US Higher Education System?
As an international student, you may be wondering how colleges and
universities fit into the larger US higher education system.
Students in America are required to go to school between the ages of six
and 18 in what are called grades, which run from 1st through 12th. There is also an earlier option,
called kindergarten, for the year before 1st grade, but it is not mandatory in most US states.
Primary, or elementary, education lasts until 5th grade, middle school or junior high school covers
6th through 8th grade, followed by secondary education in 9th-12th grades. Secondary education
can cover both college-elementary curriculum or vocational training.
After 12th grade, students have two options for post-secondary education:
vocational training (typically a year or two,
designed for immediate employment in a trade or higher education typically
a two-year associate’s degree or four-year bachelor’s degree in an academic program.
For international students in British-style education systems, you may have had 13 years
of education before entering post-secondary studies. Other countries may only have 11 years
of pre-university level studies. Typically, for students enrolled in post-secondary
education in the United States, US colleges and universities require 12 years of education.
What Are the Different Types of Higher Education Institutions in the US?
College vs. University
In many countries, post-secondary institutions are called universities. However, in the US,
the words college and university are often used interchangeably. Some are even called institutes,
for example Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology. Within larger
universities in the United States, there are different colleges or schools that represent
different academic areas of study for example College of Engineering, School of Business.
State Colleges and Private Colleges Depending on where you are from,
the best colleges or universities may be public or run by the national or
regional/state government. But in the United States, the federal government does not manage
any college or university. Instead, the governments of the individual 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other US territories have the authority to operate,
fund, and control public colleges and universities within their boundaries.
Alternatively, private colleges can operate on their own, without direct control from state or
national governments. For instance, hundreds of private colleges in the US were founded by
religious denominations or churches, such as the University of Dayton (affiliated
with the Catholic church) and University of the Pacific (a Methodist university).
So, remember: quality is not determined by whether a college or university is public or private.
Tech Colleges and Community Colleges While most international students come
to the United States for academic programs, some students enroll in technical or vocational
colleges designed for job training, like flight school or air traffic control programs.
Additionally, another option in American post-secondary education
is community college. Community colleges offer low-cost education in local communities and
provide workforce preparation or credits toward completing a bachelor’s degree.
What Are the Different Education Levels and Degree Types at US Colleges and Universities?
Undergraduate Undergraduate studies can start
immediately after secondary school. There are two main options: a two-year associate’s
degree and a four-year bachelor’s degree. Generally, associate’s degrees are granted at
two-year US community colleges, while bachelor’s degrees are awarded from four-year colleges
and universities. In both cases, students choose a focus for their academic studies
called a major. In addition to courses in a major, students take required core curriculum
or general education classes that develop critical thinking and communication skills.
Graduate Graduate studies are only available to
students who have completed a bachelor’s degree. In many countries, graduate studies are called
post-graduate studies and can take up to five years or more. In the US, the term post-graduate
studies can refer to work after a master’s degree program, including studies for a doctoral degree.
International students who have finished bachelor’s degrees in their home countries,
the United States, or third countries have two options for graduate studies in the United
States: master’s and doctorate degrees. Master’s degrees can require one to two
years of study. In the final term of most master’s programs,
students must complete a thesis or a project before they will be awarded the master’s degree.
The length of doctorate programs will depend on two things:
whether students must first complete a master’s degree in a related field, and
how long it takes to complete a dissertation Generally, if you have finished a master’s degree
and are then admitted to a doctoral program, the coursework will take two to three years. After
finishing doctoral classes, you typically begin work on a dissertation or research paper/project
that serves as the focus of your degree studies. With any paper or project, a faculty member
will serve as a director or adviser. What Should I Know About Courses of
Study and Choosing a Major? The US education system
is designed to teach life skills that will serve students well, no matter which career
they choose after graduation. So, students enrolled in colleges or universities will take
a variety of courses in order to get a degree. For many international students, taking courses
outside their intended academic field of study is a foreign concept. But US colleges
and universities value liberal arts classes in subjects like history, English literature, and
foreign language as well as mathematics, social, and natural sciences. These courses are considered
important foundations for critical thinking, logical thought, and communications skills.