Educational & Cultural Exchange
Studying in the U.S.
Introduction | Undergraduate and Graduate Studies | Classification and Admittance | Specialized Professional Study | Accreditation | Financial Aid | Tests and Testpreparation | Visainformation
Introduction
Higher education in the United States is quite multi-faceted and decentralized. It is characterized by competition and autonomous institutions of higher learning. Presently, there are around 4,180 colleges and universities in the US. Of these, over 1,700 are so-called “two-year institutions,” and 2,450 are “four-year institutions.” In addition to the roughly 1,700 public institutions (which are operated by the states, cities, or counties in which they are located), there are also more than 2,480 private colleges and universities. “Community colleges” make up the bulk of the American two-year institutions and are quite practical for beginning students wishing to take introductory or general language courses. Due, however, the introductory nature of most of their courses, two-year colleges are generally not well suited for German university students. There are currently over 14 million students registered at US institutions of higher learning, and the vast majority of these students – some 11 million – study at public universities and colleges. Women make up the majority (over 56%) of American university students. Also of interest is the high percentage (nearly 40%) of part-time students, who attend university while employed full-time.
Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
Besides academic courses of study, institutions of higher learning in the US also offer praxis-oriented programs for advanced vocational training. Such programs are found mostly at two-year “community colleges.” In addition to certificates and diplomas, a student can earn an “associate degree” after two years of study (which is however not recognized in Germany).
The typical academic degree earned by American students is the “Bachelor of Arts” (BA) or respectively the “Bachelor of Science” (BS). These degrees are awarded following the completion of four years of studies. In the first two years of their studies, American students take a number of required courses in general subject areas. After the second year, American students take a major (or two), and spend the remaining two years taking courses in these academic disciplines (although they are not limited to them). After having earned the “bachelor’s,” most Americans end their “academic careers” and look for jobs. One calls the four-year course of study for the BA/BS the “undergraduate studies.”
Those who decide to pursue their education further can earn a Master of Arts or Master of Science, respectively, in one to two years. These so-called “Master’s Degrees” are offered only at universities, and not at colleges. Likewise, only universities offer professional degrees, as for example the Juris Doctor (for law), the Doctor of Medicine (for medicine), and the well-known Master of Business Administration, or MBA. It usually takes two to four years to complete these professional degrees.
Earning a doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D.) in the United States takes between four and six years. The first phase of one’s doctoral studies usually lasts two years and is concluded with an extensive examination in all the subject areas studied until that point. This examination is known as the “preliminary examination” or alternatively as the “qualifying examination.” Following the successful completion of this examination, the student may begin his research for his doctoral dissertation.
Continuative studies which lead to the M.A./M.S., professional degrees, or the Ph.D., are known as “graduate studies.”
Undergraduate and Graduate Study
• A Brief Guide to U.S. Higher Education (pdf) American Council on Education
• Education in the United States (Department of Education).
• E-Journal: College and University Education in the United States (International Information Programs)
• Undergraduate Study pdf (If You Want to Study in the United States series)
• Graduate and Professional Study and Research (pdf) (If You Want to Study in the United States series)
• Studying in the United States (Information on education system, how to write applications, financial aid etc. Compiled by the German-American Institute Heidelberg.)
• Information for Specific Fields of Study (Online versions of handouts produced by the U.S. Educational Advisory Service, UK, covering specific subjects areas).
• EducationUSA Connections Journal: Community Colleges (Pdf)
• American Universities (Alphabetical list of websites of U.S. colleges & universities, compiled by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, U. of Florida)
• College Search - Community Colleges (American Association of Community Colleges)
• College Search - MBA Programs. Business Week (2004 B-School profiles and rankings from Business Week. Free registration required)
• College Search: MBA-Net (German-language site with information on application to MBA schools, GMAT and TOEFL courses, school profiles etc.)
• College Search: Business Schools. Princeton Review (Extensive Information on MBA Programs, GMAT, Applications etc.)
• College Search. College Board.com (Search for college by name, major, location etc.)
• College Search. National Center for Education Statistics (Search for colleges by name, major, location etc.)
• College Search. Petersons.com (Search for college by name, major, location etc. Available through Educationusa.state.gov)
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation - Directories
• eduPASS! The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA
• Executive Business Education (Topexeced.com)
• Study USA - Information for international students
• Web U.S. Higher Education (Listing of regionally accredited institutions. Listed according to state and in alphabetical order. From the U. of Texas, Austin, TX)
Applications
• EducationUSA Connections Journal: Strategic Undergraduate Admission Practices (Pdf)
• College Application Essays (SparkNotes)
• Common Application for Undergraduate College Admission (Einheitliches Bewerbungsformular für über 300 Colleges)
• Writing Admission Essays (Essayedge.Com)
• Writing Graduate School Applications (Accepted.Com)
• Writing Statements of Purpose
Classification and Admittance of German Students into the US System
US institutions of higher education decide for themselves whom to admit and how to classify them. The following suggestions for the classification of German applicants can be thought of as a rule of thumb, although there are institutions of higher learning which may employ different criteria. It is generally accepted that German applicants must have earned their "Fachhochschulreife/Fachabitur" or "Abitur" in order to be admitted to a US college. In addition, many US institutions give admitted German students credit for a full year of studies due to the fact that it takes 13 years (instead of 12, as is the standard in the US) to earn the Abitur. This is called "advanced standing." In order to apply for a graduate degree, German students should have either a Fachhochschuldiplom, a Bachelor’s Degree, a degree from a German university, or should have completed six semesters of university studies with either a Zwischenprüfung or Vordiplom. Some US universities prefer in this case either the Magister, Staatsexamen, or Diplom. Prospective students apply for admission over a year before they wish to begin their studies and as a result, are allowed to submit their examination results (Vordiplom, Zwischenprüfung, etc.) after the admissions deadline.
• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (Association of private foreign educational credential evaluation services, serving persons who have completed part or all of their education outside of the United States. They provide evaluation reports on applicant's educational qualifications.)
Common Classification of German Students into the US System
• Fachhochschulreife/Abitur > Undergraduate/Bachelor's
• während des Fachhochschulstudiums > Undergraduate/Bachelor's
• weniger als 6 Semester Universität > Undergraduate/Bachelor's
• Fachhochschuldiplom > Undergraduate/Bachelor's oder Graduate/Master's
• 6 Semester Universität plus Vordiplom/Zwischenprüfung > Bachelor
Graduate/Master's/Professional
• Universitätsabschluss (Diplom, Magister, Staatsexamen> Graduate/Master's/Professional/Ph.D.
• Universitätsabschluss (Bachelor)> Undergraduate/Graduate/Master's/Professional
Credit and Recognition of Foreign Studies/Degrees
Due to the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany and autonomy of its institutions of higher learning, there is no single (or simple) answer to this question. Before starting studies abroad, a German applicant should have as many relevant questions as possible answered by the responsible German institutions and academic departments. A good introduction to this topic can be found at the DAAD and Studienberatung der FH Hannover websites.
Please note that a degree from an American university does not automatically convey a right to a work or residency permit in the United States. Those students who enter the US with a J-1 Visa in order to study must leave the US for at least two years if (1) they receive financial support from the US Government, their own government, or from international organizations; (2) their studies are included in the Exchange Visitor Skills List (1997 Amendment) for their country; (3) or if their J-1 Visa was issued after 10 January 1977 for the purpose of studying medicine. One may apply for an exception to these rules and regulations, and more information on this subject is to be found at the website of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Services.
Specialized Professional Study
• Graduate and Professional Study and Research (pdf)(If You Want to Study in the United States series - Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
Dentistry
Excerpt: Dentistry (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
In the United States, dental study usually begins after four years of undergraduate study. The first professional degree in dentistry, titled either the doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or the doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree, requires four years of study. Admission to a U.S. dental school is highly competitive, with about twice as many applicants as positions available.
After receiving the D.D.S. or equivalent, dentists may apply for postgraduate training at hospitals or dental schools. No one process exists to qualify internationally trained dentists seeking to study in the United States. One common requirement is that applicants must pass one or both parts of the National Board Dental Examination.
Information on doing your "Famulatur" in the U.S. is available from the Zahnmedizinischer Austauschdienst and on the pages of the Fachhochschule Hannover
Medicine
Excerpt: Medicine (Education USA/U.S. Department of State) | German
In the United States, medical study generally follows completion of a bachelor's degree. Medical school usually lasts four years and students graduate with the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Admission to medical study is very competitive. In 2004, 35,727 students applied, among them 1,025 non-U.S. Only 17,652 were accepted, among them 270 non-U.S.
Many foreign nationals who receive their first degree in medicine (M.D.) in their home country choose to continue their graduate medical education in the United States. U.S. graduate training for physicians generally involves completing a prescribed period of clinical training in a chosen medical specialty, usually called a residency. To obtain residency positions or other training involving patient contact, graduates of medical schools outside the United States must pass a certification program administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
Information on doing your "Famulatur" in the U.S. is available from DAAD and on the website of the Fachhochschule Hannover
Law
Excerpt: Law (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
Excerpt: Legal Education in the United States: Origins and Developments (IIP E-Journal Legal Education in the United States)
The U.S. first professional degree, the juris doctor (J.D.), provides an education strongly focused on preparation for U.S. practice, with little opportunity for comparative or specialty study. For this reason, and because preparation in U.S. law will not easily transfer toward practice in other countries, the J.D. is usually inappropriate for foreign nationals. J.D. degree programs involve three years of study, and are entered following four years of undergraduate study in any major. Competition for admission is intense for both U.S. and international students.
The master of comparative law (M.C.L.), also known as the master of comparative jurisprudence (M.C.J.), is a particularly appropriate degree program for international lawyers. These programs acquaint lawyers from other countries with U.S. legal institutions and relevant specialties of U.S. law. Another graduate option is the master of laws (L.L.M.), a degree offered in a variety of specialties or as a self-designed program, with appropriateness for the international practitioner varying from program to program. Programs in international law or international business law may also be of interest.
Nursing
Excerpt: Nursing (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
Basic study for the nursing profession in the United States takes place at the undergraduate level. The professional-level "registered nurse" (R.N.) has a bachelor's degree in nursing and must fulfill state licensure requirements to practice. Each U.S. state has its own criteria and regulations for licensure; however, every state uses the same licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN, which must be passed before a license is awarded. Most states also require nurses educated outside the United States to be certified by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) before taking the NCLEX-RN. Certain graduate programs in nursing require state licensure or CGFNS certification, depending on level of patient contact and the laws of the state where the program is offered.
Veterinary Medicine
Excerpt: Veterinary Medicine (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
Veterinary school is generally entered following completion of a bachelor's degree program. Only 27 schools of veterinary medicine exist in the United States. Of these, 25 are largely state-financed, with tax money from state residents supporting the school. Therefore, applicants from that state are generally given first preference. Only about a third of all those applying to U.S. veterinary schools are accepted by any one of the schools that they apply to, and the number of international applicants accepted is extremely small. Most veterinary colleges participate in the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), which allows applicants to submit a common application for multiple schools.Several alternatives for postgraduate training in the United States exist for foreign-trained veterinarians with the equivalent of the D.V.M.
Accreditation
Excerpt: Accreditation (Education USA/U.S. Department of State) | German
Accreditation is the system of recognition and quality assurance for institutions and programs of higher education in the United States. When deciding on a program of study, one of your main concerns should be whether the program is properly accredited. There is no legal restriction on the use of the words "accredited," "accrediting body," or "accrediting association" in the United States. As a result, it is important that you check whether an institution and its programs hold accreditation from a "recognized" accrediting body or bodies. To be considered recognized, an accrediting body should meet one or both of the following criteria:
• It is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). To find out if it is, consult the organizations' Web sites.
• It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. While the department does not get involved in the process of accrediting institutions, it offers extensive information on accreditation and an online database: Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Recognition by the U.S. Department of Education or membership in CHEA or ASPA is an indicator of the reliability of an accrediting association.
Career schools and colleges of technology (e.g. institutions teaching accounting, film, theater) are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCST). ACCST is a member of the Council of Recognized National Accrediting Agencies (CRNAA)">
Programmatic accrediting bodies accredit specialized and professional degree programs or departments rather than whole institutions. Very often, such programs or departments are offered, or are based, at institutions that already have institutional accreditation, so you can be assured of their legitimacy and general quality. A programmatic accrediting body is considered a "recognized" accrediting body if it is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). Membership in either CHEA or ASPA is an indicator of the reliability of a programmatic accrediting association. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes national and regional accrediting bodies only and does not get involved in programmatic accreditation.
Institutional accreditation can be divided into two types: regional accreditation and national accreditation. Regional accreditation is the primary type of institutional accreditation used in the United States. It is carried out by six organizations that cover different geographic regions of the country. The six regional accrediting bodies collectively serve more than 3,500 of the approximately 3,600 degree-granting institutions in the United States. They are:
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools — Commission on Higher Education (MSA/CHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges — Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools — The Higher Learning Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) — Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Financial Aid
All types of scholarships and financial aid for international students are highly competitive and require excellent academic records. You will often find the terms "scholarships" and "financial aid" used interchangeably, but technically speaking, a scholarship is a financial award based on merit, including outstanding academic performance, special talent in sports or performing arts, or perhaps community service or leadership. Financial aid is a "need-based" grant based on the student's financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors.
Information on scholarship scams is available from the Federal Trade Commission and Finaid.org
Excerpt: Financial Aid (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
• Auslands-BAföG Factsheet of the Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung on financial support for studying outside of Germany
• DAAD Stipendiendatenbank (Search for scholarships according to major, country of destination and degree)
• DAAD (Listing of additional financial aid organisations
• Financial Aid for International Students eduPASS provides information on sources of financial assistance for foreign students who wish to study in the U.S.
• Financial Aid Resources for non-US and US citizens (U.S. Educational Advisory Service, Fulbright UK)
• Fulbright Commission
• Funding for US Study (Institute of International Education scholarship database)
• Higher Education Financial Aid Information 2004/2005 - US Colleges/Universities Aid for Non-US Citizens (only) (The Council of International Schools (CIS) provides financial aid spreadsheets (Excel-files) that have been constructed from information furnished by CIS member colleges and universities.)
• IEFA (International Education Financial Aid)
• International Student: International Financial Aid Finder and Study Abroad Resource Center (International Student.com)
• Research - Study - Funding: A German-American Guide for Historians and Social Scientists (German Historical Institute, Washington D.C. 2005)
• Scholarships & Grants (Listing of mostly short-term funding opportunities offered by U.S. Institutions to international students).
Tests & Testpreparation
Excerpt: Testing (Education USA/U.S. Department of State)
As a part of the application process, most American colleges and universities require scores from U.S. standardized admissions tests. Colleges and universities use admissions tests as a means of assessing all applicants (from the United States and other countries) against the same standard.
Admissions tests are usually multiple-choice tests that require a high degree of English proficiency. Some also require mathematical skills or in-depth knowledge of content related to the field of study. It is important to note, however, that test scores are only one of the factors used in evaluating an international student's application.
• Educational Testing Service Register by phone or online for various pre-admission tests, for example SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), TWE und TSA (Test of Written/Spoken English), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), GRE (Graduate Record Examination), LSAT (Law School Admission Test) registrieren.
• Prometric For information on and registration for SAT, TWE and TSE, GMAT and GRE call Prometric PTC Registrations Europe, P.O.Box 2024, 8203 AA Lelystad, Netherlands, Phone: +31-320-239-540
Tests
• ACT (College Admission Test)
• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
• GED (General Educational Development) (General information) / • GED - Taking it in Germany
• GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• Law School Admission Test Official site from the Law School Admission Council, includes online registration, downloadable forms, and a complete LSAT sample test.
• MCAT - Medical College Admission Test (American Medical Association)
• SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) (College Board Online) / SAT Registration Page
• SSAT Student Guide Online - Online registration and information about the Secondary School Admission Test.
• TAST - TOEFL Academic Speaking Test
• TOEFL (Official website for Test of English as a Foreign Language programs and services)
• TOEFL - Internet-Based Testing (iBT) - Register online for iBT Toefl
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
• USMLE Web Site (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
Testpreparation
• GMAT Test Taking Strategies
• GRE General Test and Subject TestTest preparation materials
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - Word Lists (By Sungwoo Park, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Dept. of Computer Languages)
• SAT Preparation Center (Collegeboard. Free registration required)
• SAT Prep Plan (Free for educational use)
• SAT II Subject Test Preparation ("Subject Tests are designed to measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge. Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language.")
• TOEFL Practice Online (Free registration required)
• TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST) (Sample Test Questions: The TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST) evaluates English speaking proficiency at the intermediate to advanced levels. TAST is developed from the speaking section of the next generation TOEFL test. It presents test takers with integrated speaking tasks that simulate real academic situations.")
Visa Information
Please make sure you are aware of all visa regulations concerning your exchange program.
• Visa Information for Exchange Students (J Visa) (U.S. Embassy)
• Visa Information for Students (F/M Visa) (U.S. Embassy)
• Information on SEVIS Fee
• E-Journal: See you in the U.S.A. (International Information Programs)
Any reference obtained from this web site to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government
Last updated: July 2007
