ncmkhoa
03-10-2006, 07:12 AM
Institutions of Higher Education - A Definition
In the United States, students begin "higher education" after completing high school education, which equivalent to 12th grade in Vietnam. Study at a college or university leading to the Bachelor's Degree is known as "undergraduate" education. Study beyond the Bachelor's Degree is known as "graduate" school, or "post-graduate" education. Advanced or graduate degrees include law, medicine, the M.B.A., and the Ph.D. (doctorate).
Following are the definitions of institutions where you can get a U.S. higher education. I arrange them in the order of most interest to least for most of Vietnamese students. Notice the first two categories!
1.State/Private College or University
A state school is supported and run by a state or local government. Each of the 50 U.S. states operates at least one state university and possibly several state colleges. Some state schools have the word "State" in their names.
Private schools are operated privately, not by a branch of the government. Tuition will usually be higher than at state schools. Often, private colleges and universities are smaller in size than state schools.
Normally, your main target lies here.
2. Community College
This is a two-year state, or public college. Community colleges serve a local community, usually a city or county. Many of the students are commuters who live at home, or evening students who work during the day.
Often, community colleges welcome international students. Many of these schools offer special services to international students such as free tutoring. The admission here is less competitive and you have more chance to get an assistantship and/or a part-time job to pay for your education. Moreover, the tuition fee here often much less than in (four-year) college, instructors are able to give personal attention to students. Many community colleges also offer ESL or intensive English programs.
Most of community colleges provide "college transfer" programs. Students who complete these courses can transfer their credits when they enter a four-year college or university and use these credits to earn an undergraduate degree. These transfer programs can be helpful to international students. Two years at a community college can help a student improve English language and study skills as the student grows accustomed to the U.S. educational system and way of life.
Some community colleges provide housing and advising services that an international student might need.
Specially for undergraduate student: Although this may not your final aim, you can find community colleges a good transition step, a boulder to your desired college or university.
3. Two-Year College
A two-year college admits high school graduates and awards an associate's Degree. Some two-year colleges are state supported, or public; others are private. In Vietnam, until now generally speaking, Associate's Degree will not qualify you for a job. In the U.S., if your college is rather well known then you can find rather a good job. Two-year college or "junior" college graduates usually transfer to four-year colleges or universities, where they complete the Bachelor's Degree in two or more additional years.
4. Professional School
A professional school trains students in fields such as art, music, engineering, business, and other professions. Some are part of universities. Others are separate schools. Some offer graduate degrees.
Institute of Technology
This is a school, which offers at least four years of study in science and technology. Some institutes of technology have graduate programs. Others are similar to community and junior colleges and offer shorter courses in less advanced specialties.
5. Technical Institute
A technical institute trains students in fields such as medical technology or industrial engineering. Although the course may prepare you for the career you want, the degree may or may not be equivalent to a college or university degree. Some colleges and universities do not accept credits from students who have attended technical institutes and want to transfer. If you are considering a technical institute, find out if your government, and U.S. colleges and universities accept the school's degree.
6. Church-related School
Many U.S. colleges and universities were founded by religious groups. The relationship, however, between the school and the religious organization may be very flexible. Sometimes, these schools prefer to admit students who are members of the sponsoring religious group. Nearly all these schools welcome students of all religions and beliefs. Traditionally, many Church-related schools have required that students take Bible courses and attend chapel services. But these practices are becoming less common.
Source: usguide.org
In the United States, students begin "higher education" after completing high school education, which equivalent to 12th grade in Vietnam. Study at a college or university leading to the Bachelor's Degree is known as "undergraduate" education. Study beyond the Bachelor's Degree is known as "graduate" school, or "post-graduate" education. Advanced or graduate degrees include law, medicine, the M.B.A., and the Ph.D. (doctorate).
Following are the definitions of institutions where you can get a U.S. higher education. I arrange them in the order of most interest to least for most of Vietnamese students. Notice the first two categories!
1.State/Private College or University
A state school is supported and run by a state or local government. Each of the 50 U.S. states operates at least one state university and possibly several state colleges. Some state schools have the word "State" in their names.
Private schools are operated privately, not by a branch of the government. Tuition will usually be higher than at state schools. Often, private colleges and universities are smaller in size than state schools.
Normally, your main target lies here.
2. Community College
This is a two-year state, or public college. Community colleges serve a local community, usually a city or county. Many of the students are commuters who live at home, or evening students who work during the day.
Often, community colleges welcome international students. Many of these schools offer special services to international students such as free tutoring. The admission here is less competitive and you have more chance to get an assistantship and/or a part-time job to pay for your education. Moreover, the tuition fee here often much less than in (four-year) college, instructors are able to give personal attention to students. Many community colleges also offer ESL or intensive English programs.
Most of community colleges provide "college transfer" programs. Students who complete these courses can transfer their credits when they enter a four-year college or university and use these credits to earn an undergraduate degree. These transfer programs can be helpful to international students. Two years at a community college can help a student improve English language and study skills as the student grows accustomed to the U.S. educational system and way of life.
Some community colleges provide housing and advising services that an international student might need.
Specially for undergraduate student: Although this may not your final aim, you can find community colleges a good transition step, a boulder to your desired college or university.
3. Two-Year College
A two-year college admits high school graduates and awards an associate's Degree. Some two-year colleges are state supported, or public; others are private. In Vietnam, until now generally speaking, Associate's Degree will not qualify you for a job. In the U.S., if your college is rather well known then you can find rather a good job. Two-year college or "junior" college graduates usually transfer to four-year colleges or universities, where they complete the Bachelor's Degree in two or more additional years.
4. Professional School
A professional school trains students in fields such as art, music, engineering, business, and other professions. Some are part of universities. Others are separate schools. Some offer graduate degrees.
Institute of Technology
This is a school, which offers at least four years of study in science and technology. Some institutes of technology have graduate programs. Others are similar to community and junior colleges and offer shorter courses in less advanced specialties.
5. Technical Institute
A technical institute trains students in fields such as medical technology or industrial engineering. Although the course may prepare you for the career you want, the degree may or may not be equivalent to a college or university degree. Some colleges and universities do not accept credits from students who have attended technical institutes and want to transfer. If you are considering a technical institute, find out if your government, and U.S. colleges and universities accept the school's degree.
6. Church-related School
Many U.S. colleges and universities were founded by religious groups. The relationship, however, between the school and the religious organization may be very flexible. Sometimes, these schools prefer to admit students who are members of the sponsoring religious group. Nearly all these schools welcome students of all religions and beliefs. Traditionally, many Church-related schools have required that students take Bible courses and attend chapel services. But these practices are becoming less common.
Source: usguide.org