THE U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEM

In the United States, the school system begins with kindergarten, followed by elementary school, secondary school, and postsecondary education (including vocational training, community college, university, and graduate studies). Future international students should know what they intend to study in order to determine where they should begin.

1. K-12 Education

The American K-12 system lasts 12 years, consisting of:

• Elementary school – primary school lasting 5-6 years, depending on how each district organizes its school levels;
• Middle school – junior secondary school lasting 4-5 years, depending on the district’s structure;
• High school – senior secondary school lasting 3 years.

The U.S. government grants educational autonomy to individual states; therefore, there is no national standardized K-12 curriculum. However, the educational programs and quality across states are relatively consistent, and states recognize each other’s academic results. At the K-12 level, although American teaching methods and subject structures differ from Vietnam, they still focus on essential scientific and social knowledge: math, physics, chemistry, literature, history, geography, sciences… In the final years of high school, students may take vocational certificate courses if they wish. At the end of high school, students take exams to earn a high school diploma. However, many schools do not organize graduation exams or issue diplomas; instead, they issue transcripts. For students at schools that do not award high school diplomas but who need an official credential, they may self-study and sit for the national exam (General Education Diploma) to obtain one.

2. College

American colleges offer a wide range of programs, including vocational certificates (3-6-9 months), associate degrees (1-2 years), advanced associate degrees (1-2 years), and transfer degrees leading to university (associate degree – 2 years). See more in the list of U.S. colleges. 

There are two types of institutions:

• Community College – public colleges funded by the government, offering lower tuition fees (from about 5,000-14,000 USD per year) and more accessible admission requirements (average academic performance). Many U.S. community colleges accept Vietnamese students who have completed grade 11. See more in the list of U.S. community colleges. 

• College – private colleges with tuition ranging from 1,000-20,000 USD per year depending on the school and the student’s chosen major.

3. University

Universities in the United States offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. These include public universities, private universities, religiously affiliated universities, and technical universities/institutes…

• Public universities. State universities are managed and financially supported by state governments and are evaluated and accredited by regional university-college associations. Each state usually has at least one large university (state university) and smaller institutions (state college). Some state university names contain the word “State,” while others use “College.”
• Private universities. These institutions are established and operated by individuals or private organizations and are also accredited by regional associations. Tuition at private universities is generally higher than at public universities, and most private institutions have smaller campuses and fewer students. See the list of private universities.
• Religiously affiliated universities. Many American universities were established by religious organizations. However, the relationship between the institution and the religious organization may be flexible or even minimal, and these schools admit students from all religions, countries, and ethnic backgrounds. Their academic programs are similar to other universities.
• Technical universities/institutes (“Institute of technology” or “technical institute”). These schools offer programs of at least four years in science and technology, awarding bachelor’s degrees. Some institutions offer graduate programs, while others offer shorter specialized courses. Their programs are highly practical, enabling graduates to acquire the skills needed for the labor market.

Important information about higher education in the United States:

• Choosing a major. In a four-year university program, the first year is called “freshman” and the second year “sophomore.” During these two years, students take general education courses, and then specialize in their chosen field during the final two years. Therefore, international students do not need to worry too early about selecting a deeply specialized major, but should plan to confirm their major by the end of the second year.
• Application process. The academic year in the U.S. is similar to Vietnam, beginning in September and ending in May or June. However, U.S. college and university applications must be submitted early, as deadlines for direct admission often fall in late January or February for the September intake of the same year.
• Transfer and school changes. U.S. universities operate on a credit-based system, making it easy for students to transfer credits or change schools. However, students are encouraged to study consistently at one institution to make academic planning, daily life, and other matters more convenient. Students currently studying at Vietnamese universities may also transfer to U.S. universities, but the number of transferable credits may be limited because approximately one-third of courses in Vietnamese programs are unrelated to the major field of study.

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