ncmkhoa
03-10-2006, 07:11 AM
Source: usguide.org
1. Undergraduate (College)
Course of study:
U.S. students usually study a wide variety of subjects while in college. Many students do not specialize exclusively in one field until graduate school.
The first two years of college are called the "freshman" and "sophomore" years. Students in the first year are called "freshmen," and they are "sophomores" in the second year. Some schools require freshmen and sophomores to take courses in different areas of learning: literature, science, the social sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. Freshmen and sophomores are known as "underclassmen."
The "junior" and "senior," or third and fourth years, are the "upper classes." Students in these years are known as "juniors" and "seniors"- "upperclassmen." When they enter their junior year, they must choose a "major" field of study. They must take a certain number of courses in this department, or field. In some schools, students also choose a "minor" field. There is usually time for students to choose several other "elective" (extra) courses in other subjects.
Advisor:
Each student is assigned a "faculty advisor" who teaches courses in the student's major field. This advisor helps the student select a program of study.
An international student will also have an "International Student Advisor." This person helps the
international students adjust to U.S. life, handles visa and other paper-work problems, and organizes activities for international students.
Classroom learning:
Classes range from large lectures for several hundred students to smaller classes and "seminars" (discussion classes) with only a few students. Students enrolled in lecture courses are often divided into smaller groups, or "sections." The sections meet separately to discuss the lecture topics and other material.
Professors usually assign textbook and other readings each week. They also require several written reports each semester (term). You will be expected to keep up to date with the required readings in order to join in class discussions and to understand the lectures. Science students are also expected to spend time in the laboratory.
Academic year:
The school calendar usually begins in August or September and continues through May or June. It is a good idea for international students to enter U.S. universities in autumn. Most new students enter at this time, so they can adjust together. Also, many courses are designed so students will take them in sequence, starting in autumn and continuing through the year.
The academic year at many schools is composed of two terms or semesters. Other schools use a three-term calendar known as the "trimester" system. Still others divide the year into the "quarter" system of four terms, including a summer session, which is optional.
Credits:
Each course is considered to be worth a number of "credits" or "credit hours." This number is roughly the same as the number of hours a student spends in class for that course each week. A course is typically worth three to five credits.
A full program at most schools is twelve or fifteen credit hours (four or five courses per term).
International students are expected to enroll in a full program during each term.
Transfers:
If a student enrolls in a new university before finishing a degree, usually most credits earned at the first school can be used to complete a degree at the new university. This means a student can transfer to another university and still graduate within a reasonable time.
Marks:
Professors give each student a mark or "grade" for each course. The marks are based upon:
Classroom participation: Discussion, questions, conversation, during discussion time, especially in seminar classes. This is often a very important factor in determining a student's grade.
Midterm examination: Usually given during class time.
Term papers: One or more research or term papers, or laboratory reports.
Quizzes: Possible short exams or "quizzes." Sometimes the professor will give an unannounced "surprise quiz." This doesn't count heavily toward the grade but is intended to inspire students to keep up with their assignments and attendance.
Final examination: Held some time after the final class meeting.
Advanced placement:
Some colleges and universities give college credit to students for work they have done in high school. Some schools also give advanced standing to students who prove that they have achieved college level proficiency in a certain subject. This means that a student who is just entering college, a freshman, can take courses normally only open to sophomores.
The school will probably ask the student to take a test to prove that he or she can do sophomore level work, or the school will give advanced placement to a student who has scored exceptionally high on college admission exams. Students who have completed "A" levels at home often receive advanced placement standing.
2. Post Graduate (Graduate) Education
In order to find a professional job, a college graduate with a Bachelor's Degree today usually will want to consider graduate study.
In most case, Bachelor's Degree in major Vietnamese universities or colleges is accepted in the U.S.A., but the Master's Degree may not. In some special cases, on-going equivalent credits can be transferred. You should check this problem with the university or college you are applying for. In admission consideration, transcripts of all degrees obtained should be provided. Thus, in case you know that you can not transfer any credit or the degree will not be accepted, do leave it out if your result may harm the decision.
Usually, graduate students have a part-time on-campus job to support themselves and pay the tuition fee. The number of such assistantships varies from institution to institution, from year to year depending on the available jobs in the particular department. Those jobs include TA (Teaching Assistant) and RA (Research Assistant).
3. Master's Degree:
Many international students are able to qualify for the jobs they want after they have earned a Master's Degree. This degree is usually required in fields such as library science, engineering, or social work. The M.B.A., or Master of Business Administration, is an extremely popular degree that usually takes two years. Some Master's programs, such as journalism, only take one year.
In an academic Master's program, students study such fields as history and philosophy. These degrees are considered stepping-stones toward a doctorate (Ph.D.).
A Master program generally involves about 45 credit hours, which takes a normal full-time graduate student from 3 to 4 semesters to complete.
Most time in a Master's program is spent in classroom study. A Master's Degree candidate usually can choose whether to prepare a long research paper called a "master's thesis" or not. But some master's programs involve a great deal of independent study and individual research. It is recommended for candidates who want to advance to Ph.D. to take thesis option.
4. Doctorate (Ph.D.):
Many graduate schools consider the Master's Degree as the first step towards attaining the Ph.D. (doctorate). But at other schools, students may prepare directly for the doctorate without also earning a Master's Degree. However, because of the quality and unpopularity of education system in Vietnam, this is unlikely to a student with Vietnamese academic degree.
Students who are enrolled in a doctoral program are known as Ph.D. "candidates." They will spend some time in class, but the most important work that earns the Ph.D. is spent in original research.
It may take three to four years or more from graduation to earn the Ph.D. Degree. For international students, this time may be longer depending on the individual capability to as five or six years.
For the first two years, most doctoral candidates enroll in classes and seminars. For at least another year, students will conduct first-hand research and write a thesis or dissertation. This paper must contain views, designs, or research that have not been previously published.
A doctoral dissertation is a discussion and summary of the current scholarship on a given topic. Most universities awarding doctorates also require their candidates to have a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, to spend some required length of time "in residence" attending class regularly, to pass a qualifying examination that officially admits candidates to the Ph.D. program, and to pass an oral examination on the same topic as the dissertation.
1. Undergraduate (College)
Course of study:
U.S. students usually study a wide variety of subjects while in college. Many students do not specialize exclusively in one field until graduate school.
The first two years of college are called the "freshman" and "sophomore" years. Students in the first year are called "freshmen," and they are "sophomores" in the second year. Some schools require freshmen and sophomores to take courses in different areas of learning: literature, science, the social sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. Freshmen and sophomores are known as "underclassmen."
The "junior" and "senior," or third and fourth years, are the "upper classes." Students in these years are known as "juniors" and "seniors"- "upperclassmen." When they enter their junior year, they must choose a "major" field of study. They must take a certain number of courses in this department, or field. In some schools, students also choose a "minor" field. There is usually time for students to choose several other "elective" (extra) courses in other subjects.
Advisor:
Each student is assigned a "faculty advisor" who teaches courses in the student's major field. This advisor helps the student select a program of study.
An international student will also have an "International Student Advisor." This person helps the
international students adjust to U.S. life, handles visa and other paper-work problems, and organizes activities for international students.
Classroom learning:
Classes range from large lectures for several hundred students to smaller classes and "seminars" (discussion classes) with only a few students. Students enrolled in lecture courses are often divided into smaller groups, or "sections." The sections meet separately to discuss the lecture topics and other material.
Professors usually assign textbook and other readings each week. They also require several written reports each semester (term). You will be expected to keep up to date with the required readings in order to join in class discussions and to understand the lectures. Science students are also expected to spend time in the laboratory.
Academic year:
The school calendar usually begins in August or September and continues through May or June. It is a good idea for international students to enter U.S. universities in autumn. Most new students enter at this time, so they can adjust together. Also, many courses are designed so students will take them in sequence, starting in autumn and continuing through the year.
The academic year at many schools is composed of two terms or semesters. Other schools use a three-term calendar known as the "trimester" system. Still others divide the year into the "quarter" system of four terms, including a summer session, which is optional.
Credits:
Each course is considered to be worth a number of "credits" or "credit hours." This number is roughly the same as the number of hours a student spends in class for that course each week. A course is typically worth three to five credits.
A full program at most schools is twelve or fifteen credit hours (four or five courses per term).
International students are expected to enroll in a full program during each term.
Transfers:
If a student enrolls in a new university before finishing a degree, usually most credits earned at the first school can be used to complete a degree at the new university. This means a student can transfer to another university and still graduate within a reasonable time.
Marks:
Professors give each student a mark or "grade" for each course. The marks are based upon:
Classroom participation: Discussion, questions, conversation, during discussion time, especially in seminar classes. This is often a very important factor in determining a student's grade.
Midterm examination: Usually given during class time.
Term papers: One or more research or term papers, or laboratory reports.
Quizzes: Possible short exams or "quizzes." Sometimes the professor will give an unannounced "surprise quiz." This doesn't count heavily toward the grade but is intended to inspire students to keep up with their assignments and attendance.
Final examination: Held some time after the final class meeting.
Advanced placement:
Some colleges and universities give college credit to students for work they have done in high school. Some schools also give advanced standing to students who prove that they have achieved college level proficiency in a certain subject. This means that a student who is just entering college, a freshman, can take courses normally only open to sophomores.
The school will probably ask the student to take a test to prove that he or she can do sophomore level work, or the school will give advanced placement to a student who has scored exceptionally high on college admission exams. Students who have completed "A" levels at home often receive advanced placement standing.
2. Post Graduate (Graduate) Education
In order to find a professional job, a college graduate with a Bachelor's Degree today usually will want to consider graduate study.
In most case, Bachelor's Degree in major Vietnamese universities or colleges is accepted in the U.S.A., but the Master's Degree may not. In some special cases, on-going equivalent credits can be transferred. You should check this problem with the university or college you are applying for. In admission consideration, transcripts of all degrees obtained should be provided. Thus, in case you know that you can not transfer any credit or the degree will not be accepted, do leave it out if your result may harm the decision.
Usually, graduate students have a part-time on-campus job to support themselves and pay the tuition fee. The number of such assistantships varies from institution to institution, from year to year depending on the available jobs in the particular department. Those jobs include TA (Teaching Assistant) and RA (Research Assistant).
3. Master's Degree:
Many international students are able to qualify for the jobs they want after they have earned a Master's Degree. This degree is usually required in fields such as library science, engineering, or social work. The M.B.A., or Master of Business Administration, is an extremely popular degree that usually takes two years. Some Master's programs, such as journalism, only take one year.
In an academic Master's program, students study such fields as history and philosophy. These degrees are considered stepping-stones toward a doctorate (Ph.D.).
A Master program generally involves about 45 credit hours, which takes a normal full-time graduate student from 3 to 4 semesters to complete.
Most time in a Master's program is spent in classroom study. A Master's Degree candidate usually can choose whether to prepare a long research paper called a "master's thesis" or not. But some master's programs involve a great deal of independent study and individual research. It is recommended for candidates who want to advance to Ph.D. to take thesis option.
4. Doctorate (Ph.D.):
Many graduate schools consider the Master's Degree as the first step towards attaining the Ph.D. (doctorate). But at other schools, students may prepare directly for the doctorate without also earning a Master's Degree. However, because of the quality and unpopularity of education system in Vietnam, this is unlikely to a student with Vietnamese academic degree.
Students who are enrolled in a doctoral program are known as Ph.D. "candidates." They will spend some time in class, but the most important work that earns the Ph.D. is spent in original research.
It may take three to four years or more from graduation to earn the Ph.D. Degree. For international students, this time may be longer depending on the individual capability to as five or six years.
For the first two years, most doctoral candidates enroll in classes and seminars. For at least another year, students will conduct first-hand research and write a thesis or dissertation. This paper must contain views, designs, or research that have not been previously published.
A doctoral dissertation is a discussion and summary of the current scholarship on a given topic. Most universities awarding doctorates also require their candidates to have a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, to spend some required length of time "in residence" attending class regularly, to pass a qualifying examination that officially admits candidates to the Ph.D. program, and to pass an oral examination on the same topic as the dissertation.