Structure of the US Higher Education System
Categories of Higher Education Institutions in the USA
US higher education offers international students an array of specializations across various academic disciplines. The American system of higher education consists of four types of educational institutions:
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Universities in the USA: The structure of these institutions may include several colleges or faculties, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
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Four-year Colleges: in these institutions students can pursue Bachelor's degree after 4 years of studying, which is similar to universities.
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Technical Schools: These institutions offer a wide choice of programs lasting from six months to four years. The educational process focuses on obtaining specific vocational or technical skills.
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Community Colleges: The studying on these programs lasts two years. The students are effectively prepared for the workforce or for transfer to a four-year college to complete a Bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in the USA
Higher education system in the USA allows foreign students to gradually obtain several academic degrees.
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Bachelor's Degree: Duration of studying is four years, a Bachelor's program stipulates studying on average 30 disciplines chosen according to the student's specialization and interests. Upon graduation, students are awarded either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. So graduates are ready for various professional roles.
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Master's Degree: Studying lasts for two years. The program stipulates:
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Specialization
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In-depth study of disciplines chosen.
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The end of the program is marked by the defense of a master's thesis. After graduation, the students can engage in a profession or postgraduate studies, or conduct academic research.
The Path to a PhD
The students who are interested in achieving new academic levels, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the top of higher education in the USA. This program stipulates comprehensive research, and the period of studying lasts from 4 to 6 years.As an interesting fact, the term "Philosophy" can apply to any academic specialization.
Flexibility in Curriculum Choices
Many Bachelor's programs stipulate studying of various disciplines in the first two years, in the third year of education students choose their major (primary field of study) and minor. This allows for a diverse educational experience, letting students dabble in:
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Arts
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Journalism
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Computer Science
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Business Management, etc.
By considering the various academic paths and understanding the cost of higher education in the USA, international students can make well-informed decisions that align with their academic and career goals.
Most Competitive and High-Paying Fields
Certain fields of study attract more attention and competition due to their prestige and earning potential. These include:
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Law
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Information Technology
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Medicine
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Music Education
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Business and Finance
Academic Year and Assessment
As in most countries abroad, the academic year in the USA usually begins in late August or early September and finishes in late May or early June. However, the structure of the studying process differs among American higher educational institutions, as there are trimesters or even quarters.
The higher education institutions in the USA have their own assessment system of students. To complete the course and obtain a degree, students must get the required number of academic credits. Pay attention that each university sets its own credit standards. Grades usually have a letter scale, which is then converted into a Grade Point Average (GPA). GPA is considered a crucial parameter for employers and graduate school admissions.
Main features of getting higher education in USA
Higher education in USA is considered one of the best ways to start a serious career abroad.
One of the significant advantages of the US higher education system is the amazing flexibility that makes it possible to gain in-depth knowledge and become a narrow specialist. Moreover, at best universities in USA students independently choose specialization not upon admission, but after a certain time after the start of their studies. Even in those universities where you need to immediately choose a certain faculty, each student can change specialization after the first year of study.
In addition, American students choose additional courses and electives within the chosen specialization, for each credit hours are awarded. For successful studying, you need to score a certain number of credits in the chosen specialty and pass exams at the end of the semester or trimester.
It’s essential to note close fusion of education and science in best universities in USA. Leading US universities are the main centers of scientific research not only in North America, but also in the world. Moreover, most of researches are funded by the state (even in private universities), thanks to which senior students have the opportunity to conduct scientific research under the guidance of world-renowned scientists, using first-class equipment and laboratories.
Business Administration and Management remain highly popular with both American and international students. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree obtained at an American university opens any doors. Engineering sciences are in second place, and a mathematician closes TOP-3 most popular study programs. Medical specialties and IT are also in high demand.
TOP ranked universities and the cost of higher education in USA
There are several universities in USA that are included in the ratings of the best educational institutions in the world for decades. These are mainly private universities, 8 of which are included in the famous "Ivy League".
Harvard University is the oldest in America, the best in the world. 75 Nobel laureates studied or taught and teach here, 8 US presidents graduated from it. Former students and alumni include John F. Kennedy, Mark Zuckerberg, Matt Damon, Bill Gates, Rockefeller. The cost of training for foreigners is $ 65-70 thousand (for US citizens - $ 20,000).
California or Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley) - the best of the state, specializes in computer technology, research in physics, chemistry and biology. Photosynthesis was investigated here and several new chemical elements were discovered. Located near San Francisco. Gordon Moore (creator of Intel) and Steve Wozniak (one of the creators of Apple) studied here. The cost of studying at Berkeley for international students is from 33 to 43 thousand dollars per year (for Americans - $ 7.5-10 thousand).
Stanford University - located in California, in Silicon Valley, specializes in IT technologies, among the alumni are the founders of Hewlett-Packard, Yahoo! and Google. Silicon Valley itself, or Silicon Valley, was founded by former Stanford students who created small educational laboratories and enterprises here. Among the professors there are 50 Nobel laureates. The cost of a year of study for foreigners is $ 44-47 thousand.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the best technical university in the world. It has existed in Boston for over 150 years, all this time, it has been developing information technology and engineering. Tuition fees are $ 58,000 for international students and $ 20,000 for Americans.
