How higher education system works in the United States
Higher education in the U.S. is also called post secondary education. Its a diverse and
autonomous community of publicly and privately supported institutions. Post-secondary education includes non-degree programs that lead to certificates and diplomas plus six degree levels: associate, bachelor, first professional, master, advanced intermediate, and research doctorate. The U.S. system does not offer a second or higher doctorate, but does offer post-doctorate research programs. Adult and continuing education, plus special education, cut across all educational levels.
Institutions are classified in the following categories:- Research Universities: Comprehensive
doctorate-granting institutions that operate extensive theoretical and
applied research program in a wide variety of disciplines;
- Doctorate-Granting Universities: Institutions offering comprehensive studies in a wide variety of disciplines but which do not award the Doctorate in as many fields as do research universities;
- Master’s (Comprehensive) Universities and Colleges:
Institutions offering academic and professional programs at the
Bachelor's and Master's degree levels, and first-professional degrees,
but which do not award the research Doctorate;
- Baccalaureate (Liberal Arts) Colleges: Institutions offering academic and professional program at the Bachelor's degree level, but not higher degrees;
- Associate Of Arts Colleges:
Institutions offering academic and professional or occupational studies
at the Associate Degree level, including public community colleges and
public and private junior colleges;
- Professional Schools and Other Specialized Institutions: Institutions that
offer instruction in only one or a few related subjects, either
professional or academic, and thus are not comprehensive enough to fit
into other classifications. The degree level ranges from the associate
degree through the research Doctorate (e.g., Independent schools of
medicine, engineering, dentistry, and law; schools for the visual and
performing arts; theological seminaries, etc.)
- First-professional degree
A first-professional degree is one that signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that required for a bachelor's degree. A first-professional degree is based on a program requiring at least 2 academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Degree fields include dentistry, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, and theological professions.
- Post -Secondary Vocational and Technical Schools:
Institutions offering short, non-degree training programs of less
than two years duration, leading to Certificates or Diplomas in
occupational specialties.
The higher education system is
characterized by accessibility, diversity, and autonomy and is known for
both its size and quality. The federal government has no jurisdiction
or authority over the recognition of educational institutions, members
of the academic professions, programs or curricula, or
degrees or
other qualifications. Nearly all U.S. post-secondary institutions are
licensed, or chartered, by a state or municipal government to operate
under the ownership of either a government (if public) or a private
corporation (if independent), and may be for-profit or not-for-profit
enterprises. Religious institutions are considered independent, or
private.
Quality assurance and accreditation
Quality assurance is achieved via state requirements, voluntary accreditation, and the reputation of institutions and among their academic peers and employers of graduates. Accreditation
is a self-regulating process of quality control engaged in by the U.S.
post-secondary education community to ensure minimum standards of
academic capability, administrative competence, and to promote mutual
recognition of qualifications within the system.
Six regional
accreditation associations set minimum standards for institutions
chartered in the states of their respective jurisdictions. In addition,
other recognized accrediting associations set and regulate minimum
standards for individual subjects or related subjects, particularly in
professional fields, and for specialized institutions.
Evaluation and Assessment
Post-secondary or tertiary curricula are determined by the individual institutions with reference to accreditation requirements, professional requirements, and the expectations of graduate programs and employers.
For latest facts and figures about US Higher Education refer to Data & Statistics - US Department of Education: https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/landing.jhtml?src=ft
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