The US education system consists of 12 years of elementary and secondary education before students can advance to post-secondary education.Public education in the US is generally free, however, students may come across some fees including field trips, uniforms, books, etc. Elementary and secondary school is similar across the US. However, there are minor variations from state to state.
Elementary and secondary education is divided into:
Students that sucessfully complete Grade 12 will receive a high school diploma. After this students qualify to gain entry into the post-secondary education.
U.S. has many world-class universities & institutes offering broad range of study options for undergraduate and postgraduate students from around the world. The American higher education system focuses on practical learning that encourages creative, independent thought and debates. Students have flexibility to study different types of subjects and most institutes allow you to combine subjects which are not related to each other as part of your program.
Higher education in the US is divided into three main types of institutions:
Community colleges are an affordable option and offer two-year associate degrees. After graduation, you can continue your studies in a university for another two years to complete an undergraduate program.
Vocational schools are a great choice for students interested in practical education and job training. They offer relatively short, career-focused programs to prepare you for work in occupations such as dental hygienist, civil engineer, chef or many other vocations that do not require a degree but do require training.
The two main types of universities in the US are:
Private universities – a mix of profit and not-for-profit; private universities account for a significant proportion of enrolments – and many are in the country’s most elite and globally famed institutions
Undergraduate education in the US is based on the concept of liberal arts and sciences. Students can take classes in a wide variety of subjects in addition to their major field of study and can be awarded a bachelor’s degree after completing a specified number of credits in their selected major field of study. Most undergraduate degrees can take either three or four years to complete.
Post graduate (Master’s) programs in the US are available in many different areas and have two main course types, academic and professional. The Master’s programs usually take between one and two years.
The highest degree available in the US is the doctoral degree which usually take anything between 3 years to 7 years. All students are required to produce an original piece of research in a doctoral degree. Doctoral students in the US are still required to complete coursework and written examinations rather than just focus on their research.