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Generally speaking, accreditation is a process through which an official quality assurance body (the accrediting agency) approves of and monitors the quality of educational services offered by a school, college, university or graduate school.Along with promoting and monitoring quality, accreditation helps to ensure the diversity of US campuses by making student diversity (ethnic groups within the US as well as international students) a requirement for accreditation.Because in the United States, state education systems are independent and autonomous, the practice of accreditation in the US is non-governmental and run primarily by peer-evaluation. Who accredits and how does it work? Regional Accrediting Organizations Specialized/Professional Accrediting Organizations National Accrediting Organizations The American Council on Education (ACE) , one of the CHEA's supporting organizations, publishes annually a complete list of the accredited schools which the US and international public has complete access to.Additionally, most foreign nation Education Ministries – including Taiwan's Ministry of Education – use the ACE publication to determine which degrees will be accepted by the ROC government. Why is accreditation important?
Why should Taiwanese consider accreditation when applying to US schools? Second, accreditation minimizes the risk that the program a student is considering lacks a minimum level of academic and facilities quality. For more information about accreditation, or to see a complete list of specialized and professional accrediting organizations, please visit the US Department of Education website.
In the United States, primary school typically begins in kindergarten at the age of five. Kindergarten prepares children to progress into the primary school system, which begins in the first grade. First grade is the official entry into full time formal schooling for children in the United States. American primary and secondary education is divided into grades, with each grade representing one year of education. In general, primary schools consist of five years of education (first through fifth grades). After students complete the fifth grade, they advance into the sixth grade, which is commonly the start of secondary school (sixth through twelfth grades). Secondary school is divided into junior high school (sixth through eighth grades) and high school (ninth through twelfth grades). American high school students receive a diploma after completing the twelfth grade. Students must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent (successful passage of the GED test) and take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) in order to be admitted into college or university. Students can continue to the next level of schooling in primary and secondary schools as long as they meet the class requirements and receive passing grades. They do not need to take assessment tests in order to advance through the kindergarten to 12th grade system.
There is no national education system in the United States.Nor is there a national curriculum set by the federal government because the government does not operate schools. Each of the 50 states has its own Department of Education and sets its own guidelines for the schools of that state. Most American schools are controlled by local school districts, which are governed by school boards. A school board is a small committee of people who are elected by the community. They set general policies for the school district.Students do not pay tuition for public education in grades 1-12 because public schools receive funding from the state in which they are located. It is up to each state's legislature to decide how many tax dollars will be allocated to the schools. Along with public secondary educational institutions, there are also private secondary schools in the United States. Private schools are divided into day schools and boarding schools. Students need to pay tuition to attend private secondary schools. Private schools rely on tuition payment, donations, and grants for funding. Unlike public high schools, private secondary schools accept international students and have a more selective application process. Private schools may require students to take an entrance examination to determine eligibility.
(The following description was adapted from The Association of Boarding Schools website) Boarding schools are private, independent, college preparatory schools that provide housing facilities for students and faculty.Boarding schools are well known for their academic excellence.With small class sizes, diverse curricula, and individual attention from teachers and advisors, the boarding school experience gives students many distinct advantages.Boarding school students acquire the abilities that help ensure success in college and in life. During the academic year, boarding schools become extended communities where teachers and students live and learn together.The 24-hour-a-day boarding school environment allows the faculty to seize every teachable moment whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the dormitory. There are many different types of boarding schools. If you decide boarding school is for you, the first step to choosing a school is to consider what type of school will best serve the student. Boarding-Day Schools Military Schools Schools that follow a military structure and often require uniforms and drill practices. 5-Day Boarding Schools Junior Boarding Schools Coeducational Schools Boys Schools Girls Schools Pre-Professional Arts Schools Religious Schools
Community Colleges (also known as Junior Colleges), are two-year colleges meant to provide either a vocational education for those wanting to enter the workforce, a college education in a particular discipline leading to a “diploma”, or a 2-year general education for those students wanting to continue onto a 4-year university where they can finish their last 2 years to earn a Bachelor's degree.This last option is commonly known as the “2+2” system (2 years at community college + 2 years at university = a 4-year Bachelor's degree).Many US community colleges also offer High School Completion programs for both US an international students, and English language study programs for international students wanting either to improve their English for eventual college or university studies, or just to improve their general English ability.According to latest statistics from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), there are 1,166 community colleges in the United States. (see also AACC's About Community Colleges). Community colleges normally offer the following study options:
The “2+2” System The chart below shows how a student can either attending university for 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree, or achieve the same result through the “2+2” system mentioned here. What qualifies someone for admission as a transfer student? Continuing Education Certificate Programs High School Completion Programs
Although high school completion programs are designed for adult students, 19 years and older, who wish to achieve one or more of the objectives above, students under 19 can participate under certain circumstances (policies differ college to college). Successful students will meet both community college requirements, and requirements of the state in which the college is located, for graduation.They will then be awarded an official high school diploma from that state. Community College Accreditation: US universities and 4-year colleges are amongst the best in the world.In fact, according to most international rankings, US universities command the highest positions in nearly all academic disciplines.Unlike in Taiwan, US 4-year schools can be called either colleges or universities, with the former usually focusing more on liberal arts and humanities programs, and with the latter covering nearly all conceivable academic disciplines.However, quality-wise there is no difference.Each year more than one million bachelor's degrees are awarded by US universities. Degree programs
Regardless of the label, all US Bachelor's degrees are considered 4-year degrees. University Extention Many University Extention schools offer Certificate and Diploma programs to international students.These programs offer an academically rigorous and focused way for international professionals with degrees to further their education, enhance their skills and network with students from other countries.Some participants gain the training they need to advance their careers, while others pursue cultural interests or broaden their knowledge of current social issues. University Accreditation: Graduate school in the US is the next step in one's education following completion of an undergraduate degree.Getting a graduate degree in one discipline does not always require a Bachelor's degree in that same discipline.For example, many American and international students will earn a bachelor's degree in one academic discipline, and pursue a master's degree in a different discipline.This is very common for students wanting to attain a master's degree in business administration (MBA) or a business-related discipline (MS, MA).However, admission to most science and technical graduate degree programs (computer science, engineering, etc.) do require successfully completion of a specific undergraduate degree.Lastly, admission into a PhD (Doctorate) program will often require not only completion of both a bachelor's and master's degree, but the master's degree itself will have to be directly related to the PhD program the applicant wishes to pursue. For many US and international students, a graduate degree from a US institution is considered a ticket to better career prospects in the international economy. Degree types – Master's Degrees:
Degree types – PhD's: The PhD is considered the highest academic qualification one can attain.What do PhD's do? PhD's can be found in all areas of society, but the degree is primarily for those wanting to go into teaching and research careers.However, the degree has become more popular in some industries requiring a high level of proficiency in a specific field.This is especially true in the emerging bio-sciences fields. PhD sites of interest: Degree types – DBA's: For more information about the DBA degree, please visit: http://www.allbusinessschools.com/faqs/dba-phd.php Graduate Diploma Accrediting: MBA programs in the US are usually accredited by AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) To know more about the importance of accreditation when choosing a graduate school, read this article. There are hundreds of English language schools in the United States. English Language Schools in the USA offer intensive English language programsand cultural immersion programs for students who wish to learn Englishas a second language. There are two types of language schools: proprietary, and college or university operated schools. Proprietary schools are privately owned and operated while college or university operated schools are units within a larger academic institution. Many American language schools provide both general and conversational English training, as well as university preparation programs. International students can apply to English language schools in the United States from their home countries. Many schools have homestay programs where students live with American host families while pursuing their studies. For many international students, an English language school is a stepping-stone towards furthering their education in the United States. Many language schools offer university preparation programs. Proprietary College-University Operated Associations
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