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.rtf11. Post-school education in the USA.
American educational system is based on the idea that as many people as possible should have accass to as much education as possible. This fact distinguishes the US system from others which screen people out as it is to keep them in. The US system has no standardised examinations which results allow students to go on to higher levels of study. American system tries to accomodate students even if their academic aspirations & aptitudes are not high, if they are physically or mentally handicapped or even if their native lg is not English. This idea is an outcome of the Americans' assumptions about equality among people.
There are 2 main categories of institutions of higher learning: public & private. All schools get money from tuition & private contributions.However, public schools are supported by the State & as a result tuition is lower in public schools.
Schools are grouped by the the types of programs & degrees they offer. The three major groups are: community colleges, 4-year colleges & universities. Community colleges offer the first 2 years of undergraduate studies, such colleges are supported by local or/& State funds. Community colleges offer technical training in many areas of study: health, services, office skills, computer science.
There are liberal arts colleges which means that they offer studies in the humanities, lgs, maths, social sciences & sciences. Some colleges specialize in training students for one particular occupation(e.g agricultural). Many specialized undergraduate institutions that are not called colleges also provide higher education: conservatories, seminaries & fine arts schools.
After graduating from a college a student gets Bachelor's degree.
American universities offer 3 main categories of graduate degrees. In most fields of specialization a Master's degree is earned after 1/2 years of study beyond the bachelor's degree. Doctor's degree usually takes at least 3 years beyond master's.
The main difference b/n a college & a university is that a university offers a wider range of undergraduate programs & also offers graduate studies. It encourages its faculty & its graduate students to do research that will advance human knowledge. Colleges, on the contrary, are primary undergraduate schools with no commitment to train students for research.