Bachelor’s Degree

It is possible to enter a U.S. university for a bachelor’s degree immediately upon graduation from high school with a high school diploma. Education lasts about four years, and in most cases a student does not have to choose a specialty right away – it can be done 1-2 years after the start of training.

About Specialization in the U.S. Bachelor’s Degree

There are no strict standards for specialization in American higher education; instead there is a long list of courses (modules), some of which are required, and the rest a student can choose individually. Accordingly, there is no rigid division into groups and streams. For example, at one of the leading universities in the United States – Oregon State University, the first two years of the BS Entrepreneurship program are devoted to the study of basic disciplines mandatory for all undergraduate courses, as well as basic business disciplines. Most of the courses in the Entrepreneurship major are taken in the third and fourth years.

About the U.S. college student curriculum

Studying in American colleges requires students to be much more independent. In fact, American colleges are taught on an individualized plan. To earn a bachelor’s degree, you must take at least a certain number of hours of lecture and seminar classes called “credits. To find out how many credits a bachelor’s degree requires, click here.

Grades and Performance at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education

Assessment of academic progress is based on the results of semester examinations, defense projects, etc. The grading system is five-point, alphabetical (A, B, C, D, E), but the final grade point average – GPA (Grade Point Average) has a numerical value.

About U.S. Institutions of Higher Education

The U.S. classification of universities also differs from that in Russia. Institutions that offer a four-year bachelor’s degree program are called colleges. They focus specifically on undergraduate programs, as distinct from universities, which also offer graduate and postgraduate degrees, and have more extensive research programs. A university, however, may have more than one college. Read more about the difference between a U.S. university and a U.S. college here.

International Students at U.S. Universities

U.S. colleges and universities readily accept international students, and there are approximately one million international students in the country. The desire of many people from all over the world to study in the United States is understandable – a U.S. college degree virtually guarantees a high-paying job in the home country. Also there is a prospect to work in the U.S. after graduation, if a company can find a job visa for the graduate.

About Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in America

The procedure for entering an American university for foreigners also has its own peculiarities. For example, in the USA there is no “school” Uniform State Exam to get into the university without examination, and students take SAT and ACT. The list of documents required for admission, deadlines, and the factors that influence success vary. To learn how to apply to a U.S. university, read the How to Enter a U.S. University guide.