Education in the United States of America: A Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

The United States of America commonly referred to as the USA or the US is a varied country in terms of geographic, ethnics, and time history. However, more importantly, the country has a universally famous education system that students from across the world continue to flock to for the most diverse reasons. Education in America is as strong as can be with educational institution beginning from pre-kindergarten to and including post graduate institutions.

In this guide, students will be able to find out more about the network of education in the USA, types of schools and institutions, procedures of admissions, costs and scholarships for Foreign students. If you are planning to get yourself enrolled in a Us Institute and educational institutions or you are planning to send your child to US for his studies or otherwise if you just have a curious mind to know about the opportunities in American education then this article shall prove to be beneficial for you.

K-12 Education in the USA

The American education system is divided into three levels: School, college and university. Additionally, the K-12 education is an early childhood education or elementary education and secondary education; which includes kindergartens, elementary schools, and the middle schools as well as high schools.

In the USA, education is mandatory till 16 or 18 years depending on the state in which a particular school is located. The government will fund a public school, while a private school that students must pay to attend. Mega school choice is an important feature in relation to the country’s education since it is not rare for students within the United States to transfer between different learning institutions over the course of their education.

Days of undergraduate education in the USA

College or higher education or undergraduate education requires four years of study and results to the award of a bachelor’s degree. In most cases, the first two years of programs are called the “general education”, and during that time students follow a broad curriculum In the last two years, students focus on their chosen major fields of study.

Universities, colleges and technical institutes offer Undergraduate Studies in the USA. Today, there is a myriad of degree programs offered in these institutions; they include: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

Postgraduate Education in the USA

Postgraduate education in the USA is made up of two main levels: The four level categories include master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. An MA/MSc usually takes one to two years; an MFA, MLitt, or MDiv, which are terminal degrees in some nations, normally take one to two years; doctural programs may take four to seven years.

All areas of specialization have graduate degrees, moreover specialization in a specific field of study is availed to one continuing in this course. Another common category of master’s degree is business and administration master’s degree commonly referred to as the MBA degree, then science master’s degree (MS), arts master’s degree (MA), education master’s degree (MEd). Doctoral degrees are recognised as being the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD).

Admissions Process

Competition of admissions in the US education system is often characterized. Students need to provide their high school records, and scores on standard tests, recommendation letters and an essay or personal narrative. Students may also have to sit in an interview or write extra essays at some schools.

For undergraduate programs, TOEFL or IELTS is required for students who are from a different country and want to study in the English language. Students also need to submit scores of their GRE in addition to 12th standard marks while applying for admission into postgraduation courses.

Education in the United States of America A Beginner’s Guide
Education in the United States of America A Beginner’s Guide

Costs and Scholarships

In the USA the cost of education can be rather high, as well as fees, vary greatly between different institutions. College Board also reveals that for the academic year 2019-2020, the USA average cost break up for an undergraduate studying in a private college $ 54,880 while for studying at a public college it was $26,820 for in state students and $37,430 for out state students.

In some cases, the costs can actually be higher – for instance, the average cost of a year in an MBA degree at a private university costs on average about $63,000.

Lucky for us, there is a plethora of scholarships available for international students who want to study in America. It can be merit-based awards, need-based awards or on some other basis of the student’s choosing. Some of these are the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, and self help scholarships that universities offering international education provide.

That is why the USA education system is pluralistic, decentralised and is globally revered. It also opens great possibility to students on all grades of K-12 as well as post graduate level education. Although admission and expenses might be frightening for the International students willing to Study in USA still there are many scholarships and fellowships you can go for.