Education System in USA

The US higher education system is well structured and is an advanced one. If you are an international student, you must have a proper idea of the higher education system in the US to get valuable insight. The school years for students start from the age of five or six and continue up to the age of 18. However, in some states in the US, the age of compulsory education is 16 years. The classes are called grades, and grades run from 1st to 12th. However, children can also be admitted to kindergartens before 1st grade.

The little students get their primary or elementary education till the 5th grade. The nest stage is a middle school or junior high school that starts from 6th grade and lasts up to the 8th grade. 9th-12th grades are known as secondary education, and both college-preparatory curriculum and vocational training are a part of this.

After secondary education, students are offered two types of education for further studies. The first is vocational training having a tenure of one to two years for students seeking immediate employment. The other is higher education which has a tenure of two years for an associate degree or four years for a bachelor’s degree.

College and university are interchangeable terms in the US education system. Several technical colleges and universities are also called institutes. The large universities in the US control several scrolls and colleges under it and offer different curriculum activities and courses for studying.

Unlike the education system of the other countries, the colleges and universities are not operated by the federal government in America. Instead, the state is responsible for operating, funding, and controlling the education system in the state. However, private colleges have their own regulatory body, and these institutions are not under the direct control of the state government. Interestingly several denominations and churches control numerous private educational institutes in the US.

According to the latest available data, in the top twenty universities in the US with the highest number of international students, thirteen are public, and seven are private universities.

Numerous international students come to the US for vocation training and technical education purposes as well. On the other hand, community colleges are also ideal for post-secondary education at lower prices. These colleges offer low-cost education in local communities and provide workforce preparation for urgent employment after completing education. Currently, more than 1200 community colleges in America are authorized to provide bachelor’s degrees to students. Besides, more than 100,000 international students currently complete their education in community colleges in the United States.

The post-secondary education system is well-developed in the US. Generally, students can get associate’s degrees after completing their education from the two-year US community colleges. On the other hand, bachelor’s degrees need four years to complete and are given by colleges and universities. In both studies students, acn choose their preferred course, which is also called a major. In addition to courses in a major, students can also choose their preferred core curriculum or general education to develop their communication skills and learning capabilities.

Students after completing a bachelor’s degree can apply for a graduate degree. In the US, post-graduate studies mean studying after a master’s degree, including a doctorate. After completing a bachelor’s degree in their home countries, international students can apply for master’s and doctorate (or doctoral) degrees.

Master’s degrees in universities in the US have a tenure of one to two years to complete. When the students reach the final term of most master’s programs, completing a thesis or a project is essential before getting a master’s degree from their educational institutions.

Thus, hurry to get admitted to your preferred university in the US and enhance your learning skills and pave the way for a better future.