American Education System: A Brief Overview

Foreign education is considered a sure-shot way of boosting the career among lakhs of Indian families. As a result, Indian students are actively looking for opportunities to pursue their career in the USA, even if it means families spending their life's savings or even taking an education loan for that foreign degree. Among various countries that are considered for a study abroad degree, the US is one of the most popular foreign study destinations among Indian students. If you too aspire to go to the US for your higher education and want to get a heads-up on the education system in the US, then you have come to the right place. This blog will discuss in detail the American Education System and will educate readers on how it is different from the Indian education system. So, without further ado, let's get rolling.

The education system in USA has no single form. Surprised? Well, this is because the Federal Government of the US is not responsible for education at any level. At the most, it can fund education but the entire responsibility of the education system lies on the states. All the 50 states of the US are directly responsible for their education system. This, therefore, is the reason for the varied education system in the country. In the US, the student does not have to pass a Nationalized Board examination but has to clear the State Graduation Examination. 

Understanding the US Education System

The US education system follows a hierarchy with different stages that are required to be covered one after the other as per the mentioned table:

Following are the major stages covered under the US Education System:

• 
  Elementary school
• 
  Middle School
• 
  High school
• 
  Post-secondary also known as the sophomore

Study Levels in the US

The US education system is divided into the following study levels: 

Primary or Elementary School:

Six-year-old US children enter elementary school and study there for five or six years. 

Secondary School:

This consists of Junior or Middle school and High school. US children who finish elementary school enter Secondary School and are awarded a certificate or Diploma on graduating from High School (12th Grade). 

Higher Education:

Post High School, US students can enter College or University which is known as “Higher Education”. Higher Education in the US is further classified as follows:

• 
  Associate degree - This is a job-oriented 2-year program that helps students launch their careers. This is equal to the first two years of a four-year Bachelor’s program. Students who have completed high school can enter this program.

• 
  Bachelor’s Degree - This is a 3 or 4-year undergraduate program that typically consists of core courses, electives, majors, and minors. Students who have finished High School can enrol for this degree.

• 
  Master’s Degree - In the US, there are two kinds of Master’s degrees, i.e. Academic Master’s and Professional Master’s. The Professional Master’s program is for 1 to 3 years while the academic Master’s degree is for 2 years. The academic Master’s is awarded in conventional areas such as arts, humanities, and science. Students enrolled in a Master’s program are required to complete a research paper as part of their curriculum. Post the Academic Master’s degree, students can apply for a Doctoral program in the US. The professional Master’s degree on the other hand helps students enter into a particular profession with specialized knowledge in a field.

Types of Accreditation in the USA

US institutions provide various accreditations that allow students to obtain certifications or degrees that are recognized globally. Some of them are mentioned below as per the American academic system:

• 
  School-Level Accreditation
• 
  Post-secondary Accreditation
• 
  Federal Recognition & Approval
• 
  Diploma Mills & Fraud

Earning accreditations helps you to get a top-notch education and receive credits that enable employers to understand the coursework credits attained.

Difference between Indian and American Education Systems

There are huge differences between the Indian and American Education systems. Let us understand the key differences from the table below:

Types of Higher Education Institutions in the USA

The following institutions provide Higher education in the US:

Colleges:

Colleges in the US provide undergraduate degrees. These are smaller than Universities. Students who complete college can gain admission to University in the third year and get an undergraduate degree. Most colleges in the US are community colleges and are cheaper than Universities. 

Universities:

Universities in the US offer Master’s, Doctorate, and Post-Doctorate programs. Universities in the US can either be Public Universities or Private Universities. Public Universities are run by the State Government while Private Universities combine For-Profit and Not-For-Profit Universities. Universities can further be classified as Ivy League Universities, Public Ivies, Special Institutions, Land Grant Universities, and Research-Intensive Institutions. Ivy League universities consist of the top 8 colleges in the Northeast. Apart from being in the top 8, these private research Universities are also among the oldest universities in the country, and admission to these is extremely competitive. Public Ivies are a group of 30 public universities that could be state-funded. The cost of education at these universities is lower than in the Ivy League. Specialist institutions provide degrees in special areas such as music, applied arts, visuals, etc. Land Grant Universities are big universities that are public-funded while research-intensive institutions provide the best of research education. 

Academic Year

The academic year in the US begins in the autumn season, which is usually in August or September. It concludes in May or June. However, these deadlines vary with universities, and we recommend that you check with your preferred university for updated dates.

Fee Structure 

The fee structure largely depends on the type of University or college and the program the student is pursuing. MBA courses are the most expensive in the US while engineering and medicine degrees cost less than MBA but higher than other programs. 

Financial aid 

Both US and international students are eligible for a range of financial aids that help cut down their cost of higher education. Governments, educational institutes, and private organizations have a mostly of aids for deserving students. Financial aid in the US could be need-based financial aid, scholarships, grants or fellowships, Teaching & reserach assistantships, athletic scholarships, or administrative scholarships.

Grading System

In the USA, students earn credits for the courses that they take. Completing a program requires a minimum number of credits that the student has to earn.

The US education system is known to offer varied possibilities of educational, professional, and personal growth. It is recognized as one of the leading education systems in the world and is highly welcoming of international students too. This is why it attracts a large number of international students, including Indians.

If you are planning to study in USA by taking an education loan, then we can get the best deal for you. Connect with us and one of our expert loan counsellor will get in touch with you and will help you with your loan process.

Frequently Asked Questions