So You Want To Study In The USA

So You Want To Study In The USA

In case you've determined that you would like to pursue your university studies in the USA, then you are probably filled with questions regarding degrees and majors. Well, you are not alone. Thus, let me tell you a bit more regarding the US higher education system and admissions procedure.

Faculties and schools are basically the same thing. The main difference is that faculty refers to an institute of higher education that offers a 4-year degree (Bachelor degrees) while universities also offer graduate degrees such as Master degrees and PhDs. Faculties also refer to Community Colleges, which only offer you 2-year degrees (Associate degrees) and permit students to take general classes prior to transferring to 4-year schools and universities.

Bachelor, Master, PhD

Bachelor degrees are 4-year levels that focus on one or two academic fields. Bachelor degrees are often divided in two groups: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Bachelor of Arts levels usually focus on liberal arts and humanities fields while Bachelor of Science levels usually revolve around science, engineering, technology and business fields. In order to acquire a bachelor degree, you must pick a major. A major is that the academic discipline that you want to study. Some universities also require that you select a minor. A minor is an optional academic discipline you can study along with your major. A minor shouldn't require as much effort or time as your important, and it usually requires only a few courses. Colleges and universities in the united states provide a variety of majors and minors you may pick.

One of the most essential differences between the US higher education system and people from other countries is that students in the united states must take a number of classes in addition to their major classes. Most students will have to study English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Humanities regardless of their major and minor. As an instance, Business majors must take English Literature or Art Appreciation as a portion of the general requirements in addition to their company courses, in the same way English majors need to take Algebra and Biology as part of the needs. This allows you to be a richer and well rounded individual prepared to present your input in a variety of subjects.

Master levels are graduate degrees, which last two or three years, in which you are able to further concentrate and specialize in the specialty of your choice. You can concentrate on a different field than the one which you focused on during your undergraduate education (Bachelor's). Several students change their minds in their career after graduation and proceed on to get a master's degree in the field of their own choice. In actuality, many liberal arts graduates choose to go for an MBA after a year or two of experience in the corporate world, plus a few science and engineering graduates choose to go for master degrees in education after obtaining a passion for the education world. Master degrees not only allow you to switch careers, they also supply you with several benefits including more discipline experience, a broader professional network, credibility and more and better job opportunities.

PhD and doctoral degrees prepare students for careers in research and academia. To put it differently, these degrees essentially focus on preparing college professors and professional researchers. Research and books are the chief goals of the area, and students must be ready to dedicate several hours to a specific subject of research. PhD applications can last an average of 4 to 7 decades. Students usually attend courses for the first couple of years and concentrate on preparing their dissertation for the remaining years. A master degree isn't a requirement for the PhD, but a lot of universities prefer students who have completed graduate research in their area. Medical Doctor (MD) and Juris Doctor (JD) are professional levels for students interested in getting physicians and lawyers respectively.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor Degrees: Entry into a BS or BA program requires that you have a High School degree or its equivalent. International Students who come from non-English speaking countries must also take the TOEFL exam.

Master Degrees: Admission to a MS or MA program demands that you have a Bachelor degree or its equivalent. Based upon the program, you will also need to take the GRE exam or GMAT examination (for MBA and Business school applicants). TOEFL scores will be required from international students who come from non-English speaking countries.

PhD and Doctorate Degrees: Most PhD programs require that you have a Bachelor's level, however preference will be awarded to students with previous graduate work. GRE or GMAT test scores will also be required. TOEFL scores will be required from international students who come from non-English speaking countries. Note that some universities will waive the TOEFL requirement for applicants who already have a US Bachelor's degree.