1. Understanding US Education System Compiled for ALUC By Anita J. Ghajar-Selim Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

2. US Education Structure Primary: K-5 Secondary: 6-12 – Middle School or Junior High School – High School Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

3. Grading System The academic transcripts in the US include both your grades and grade point average (GPA). Courses are normally graded using percentages which will be converted into letter grades: A to F (A being the highest and F meaning fail) Two similar GPA’s don’t necessarily mean the students are seen equally when it comes to admission decisions. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

4. Academic Year Beginning: August or September End: May or June. Academic Year at many schools is composed of two terms called “semesters”. If the schools has three terms, then you are in a “trimester” system. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

5. Types of US Higher Education Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

6. State College or University Each of the 50 states has at least one state university and several stage colleges supported and run by the local government or a state. They either have the word “state” in them (NC State University), or the name of the State (University of Michigan). Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

7. Private College or University These schools are privately run. The tuition is higher than state universities. They are smaller in size. They might be religiously affiliated (like Notre Dame in Indiana or Guilford in North Carolina) although they accept students of all religions. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

8. Community College They are two-year colleges that award an AA (transferable) There are two tracks: Academic track where you can transfer your degrees to college or university and the other Workforce track that prepares you for workforce straightaway. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

9. Institute of Technology They offer 4 years of study in science and technology. They may or may not have graduate programs. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

10. Levels of Study Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

11. First Level: Undergraduate You can start from a community college, a 4-year university, or college). You will have to take prerequisite courses: literature, science, the social sciences, etc. to get a general knowledge and foundation. If you study at a community college to finish these prerequisites courses, you will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and then transfer to a 4-year university or college. The main purpose is to prepare you for workplace. You can also get your AA from a Junior College. The oldest is Louisburg College in NC. The main purpose is to prepare you for a 4-year university. You can transfer as a junior. You should choose your major at the beginning of the 3 rd year. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

12. Second Level: Graduate in Pursuit of Master’s Degree This level is usually mandatory for higher level positions. It takes one to two years to complete. The majority of the time is spent in classroom and the students must prepare a long research paper called “master’s thesis” or complete a “master’s project”. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

13. Third Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Doctorate Degree Normally it takes 3 years or more to ear a PhD, but for international students, it may take as long as 5 or 6 years: first two years in classes and seminars and one year conducting research and writing a dissertation. They usually accept candidates who know 2 foreign languages and pass both a written and an oral examination. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

14. Characteristics Of The U.S. Higher Education System Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

15. Classroom Environment Classes range from lecture rooms with several hundred students to seminars with only a few students. Classes are dynamic with a lot of emphasis on participation, discussion, and presentation. Grades are based on class participation, mid- term, research papers, quizzes, and final exam. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system

16. Credits Each course is normally worth 3-5 credits– the number of hours a student spends in that class each week. A full time program is almost 12-15 credit hours (4 or 5 courses per term). International students should be in a full time program each term. Source: http://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/unders tanding-the-american-education-system