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The USA has one of the world’s best university systems, offering flexible education opportunities at over 4,000 institutions. US degrees are recognized around the world for their academic excellence and enhanced learning experiences.
Following high school, students can choose to study a bachelor’s (or “undergraduate”) degree at a college or university.
Bachelor’s degrees in the USA usually take 4 years to complete. The first 2 years include core courses, such as math, history, literature, and communications. This develops a broad-based knowledge across many subject areas — an advantage for competing in the global workplace. The final 2 years focus on the student’s chosen “major” subject.
in the USA
to your interests and career aspirations
US bachelor’s degrees are flexibly designed to allow students to change their major after 1 or 2 years. There is a huge choice of elective courses so students can tailor their degree to their interests and strengths.
It is common for students to change university after 1 or 2 years of undergraduate study in the USA, or to transfer into a US university after studying in another country. It’s not necessary to complete all 4 years at the same institution in order to get a degree from there.
transfer universities at least once (National Student Clearinghouse, 2015)
all transferred universities during their bachelor's degrees
This flexibility means students can improve their grades for transfer to a more selective college or university.
After a bachelor’s degree, some students choose to continue on to a master’s degree (also called a “graduate” degree).
An American master’s degree usually lasts 2–3 years, but fast-track 1 year programs are available. Graduate-level education lets students study a subject in greater depth, and can either be academic or more career-focused.
offer graduate degrees (EducationUSA)
compared to a bachelor's degree (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012)
A graduate certificate is a great option for international students who want to take master’s degree-level courses at a US university, for less time and money than a full degree. It can also qualify you to work in the USA through Optional Practical Training, a benefit offered for other degree programs.
If you study a bachelor’s or master’s degree (or an approved graduate certificate) at an American university, you’ll have many opportunities to gain real work experience in the USA. Most universities have well-developed internship or cooperative education (“co-op”) programs. International students are eligible to work off-campus after completing the first year of their degree program — and work in on-campus jobs in the meantime.
International students can also participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows study visa-holders to work in the USA for 12 months after graduation. Students who complete a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) field can extend their work placements to 36 months.
Working for a US company is an incredible opportunity, and gives international students a distinct advantage in their career.
