Text A Higher Education in the USA

Higher Education in the USA is provided by colleges and universities. The main difference between a college and a university is that the latter is a collection of colleges each of which specializes in different field.

American colleges and universities are either private or public. Any year, about 12 million Americans are enrolled in the over 3000 colleges and universities. It is stated that half of all secondary school graduates enter colleges and universities. Close to 80 percent of the college students attend public institutions, while a little over 20 percent are enrolled in privately supported universities and colleges. Both colleges and universities are usually governed by a board of regents or a board of trustees.

The executive head of a college or a university is called the president. The various colleges or schools which make up a university are headed by deans. Within a school or college there may be departments according to subject matter fields, each of which may be headed by a professor who is designated as department head or chairman. Other members of the faculty hold academic ranks, such as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor.

During the four-year higher school program, students study four or five major subjects per year. In addition they usually have classes in Sports, Music and Art. The first and second year students work hard at different aspects of English. They also take courses in Logic, Critical Thinking, Computer Science etc. Only a third year student begins an intensive study of his special field. If a student fails a course, he repeats only that course and not the work of the entire year.

Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. All students who have graduated from the senior class and who continue studies at a university are called graduate students. At the conclusion of studies a college or university grants a bachelor’s degree; after one or two additional years of study – a master’s degree. The highest academic degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Professional education in fields such as agriculture, dentistry, law, engineering, medicine, teaching etc. is pursued in professional schools, which focus their instruction on a single profession. As a rule two, three, or four years of pre-professional liberal arts education are required before admission to a professional school. Three to five years of specialized training lead to professional degrees such as Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Law etc.

 

4. Find English equivalents to the following word-combinations:

собрание коллежей, или… или, поступать в университет, немногим более чем, как… так и, разнообразные колледжи, кафедры, заведующий кафедрой, штат (сотрудники), четырех летняя программа обучения в высшей школе, в год, критическое мышление, дополнительные годы учебы, стоматология, предпрофессиональное обучение.

 

5. Read the text and answer the following questions:

 

What is the difference between a college and a university in the USA?

How many colleges and universities are there in the USA?

How many students are usually enrolled?

Do they attend only private institutions?

Whom is a university (a school) headed by?

Who conducts classes at colleges and universities?

What subjects do the students work at?

How are the first (second, third, fourth) year studentsclassified?

What degrees does a university grant?

What is required for admission to a professional school?

 

6. What information have you learnt about higher education in the USA?

(Sum up and reproduce)

Is there any difference between higher education in the USA and Great Britain?

7. Read the text B “Choosing a University” and explain

a) how an American high school graduate chooses a university to enter

b) how USA university chooses students to admit