The US Education System

The US education system can be confusing for many, especially if they have not been students here themselves. A million terms used casually daily can make people feel they are treading unknown territory, and they would be right. Below are some of the terms and basics of the education system in the USA.

GPA

For information regarding GPA, please check GPA section. GPA reflects your grades in the US grading format (widely used in many countries).

Demystifying Higher Education: Understanding the Duration of a Course - How Many Months?

Are you baffled by the terms semester and trimester and their duration? Do you find yourself pondering how many months it spans? If so, you’re not alone. Many students and parents are often unsure about the timeframe of a semester and trimester and the specific number of months it encompasses. This article will demystify a semester and shed light on this frequently misunderstood aspect of higher education. By understanding this, you can better plan your courses, schedule your study time, and ensure you achieve the required credit hours. Whether you’re contemplating enrolling in college or already amid your higher education journey, this article will provide the clarity and knowledge you need to navigate the semester system. So, let’s dive in and unravel the mystery behind the duration of a semester in higher education.

Semester/Trimester

Most US universities have a trimester system - the fall, spring, and summer. Each trimester is around three months long.

The fall semester (starts in August/September)
This is the first semester of the year, which starts mid-August/Early September and is less often called the autumn semester. The academic year begins this semester, and most aid and assistantships are offered during this period. Moreover, most new intake is during this period.

The spring semester (Starts in January)
Classes begin around the first or second week of January. Most universities (say 85%) admit new students this semester, but the student intake is less than in the fall. The chance of aid is lesser, but other on-campus part-time jobs are available year-round, good enough to cover your living, accommodation, and personal expenses. Some universities call this the winter semester.

The summer semester (Starts around the beginning of June)
This is the shortest of the three semesters, spans two months, and usually starts in June. Very few universities have summer intake. Although the university may have summer intake, ensure the department accepts new students (this also applies to spring). In several cases, regular students do not enroll for this semester and work full-time on campus (40 hrs/week) or take up industrial training.

What is Teaching Assistantship/TA
Teaching Assistants (TAs) generally help professors/teachers with the course, like grading homework or a particular topic in class and assisting students in class/exams, etc. You can get a TA from an instructor outside of your major. TAs will, in most cases, get in-state tuition fees. You may get a full tuition waiver or even some monthly stipend, depending on the funding available. TAs generally work 20 hours/week.

The thesis and non-thesis option
This is mostly applicable to MS students. A thesis option requires taking up a thesis, at the end of which a dissertation (should have a genuine or original idea) must be presented and defended orally. This is a must for students enrolling in master's programs leading to a doctorate (Direct doctorate after graduation). It is advisable for students who desire to pursue a doctorate at a later stage to choose this option. The non-thesis option typically requires a project to be completed by the end of the course. Students opting for the project option, on average, graduate in 4 semesters (1.5 years), and with a thesis option, it takes an average of two years, with exceptions in both cases.

What are credit hours?
The US system usually allows a student to choose papers (apart from some mandatory essential papers) And each paper/course/class will carry a certain number of credits, say 3 or 4 (in the case of a project, it would be 5 or 6). When the student fills in the required number of credits, they graduate. In most universities, this requisite is 30 to 36 credit hours (for an MS degree) for Non-thesis (usually carries a project) option. However, this requisite is much less for the thesis option, but with a thesis work to be presented. If you take a Mathematics course for a semester, you might get 2-4 credits for the course. Each degree requires a minimum number of credits to be completed - which varies slightly with Universities and programs.

Transfer Credits
If you want to change your major or university/college, you may be able to transfer some credits (which you have already passed) to your new principal or college. You need to cover up the remaining credits to get your degree. There is generally a limit on the number of credits you can transfer (depending on the college/department).

Graduate or Undergraduate degree
A graduate degree is equivalent to a master's or Postgraduate degree (In most cases, it takes two years to complete). An undergraduate degree is a BS/Bachelor's degree.

General Difference between MS and ME
Master of Engineering Degree

• Application and practice-oriented
• Accredited
• Relatively inflexible curriculum due to accreditation requirements
• Includes both a thesis option and a non-thesis option
• Thesis standards established by Speed Scientific School
• Degree granted through Speed Scientific School

Master of Science Degree

• Research-oriented
• Not accredited (nationally, no engineering M.Sc. degrees are accredited)
• Flexible curriculum
• Thesis is required
• Thesis standards established by the university.
• Degree granted through the Graduate School

Computer Sciences/Computer Engineering
In the US, there are completely different departments (in most cases). Computer Engineering focuses more on hardware, and Computer Science focuses more on software. In some countries, CS and Computer Engineering is the same. CS is the degree you need to take if you are focusing on a software career.