Higher Education in the USA.(2)
1. The type of degree-awarding institutions may be categorized by three aspects – public or private, two-or four-year, non-profit or for-profit. They are typically divided into the following groups: public two-year institutions (e.g. community colleges), public four-year institutions (e.g. universities, colleges), private two-year institutions (e.g. junior colleges), and private four-year institutions (e.g. research universities, liberal arts colleges). Higher education institutions in the United States are organized and licensed or chartered as non-profit or for- profit corporations, regardless of whether they are public or private. These corporate entities are governed by boards of trustees, who are citizens appointed by a governor or elected by the board itself (private institutions). Public institutions, in addition to having governing boards appointed by state authorities, also receive some annual allocation of state budget funds. Private institutions are independent of state control even though they are licensed by state governments. They may be non-profit or for-profit, and may be secular or affiliated with a religious community. Some private institutions may be authorized by state governments to receive state operating funds and to provide some public services.
2. The US higher education includes institutions with a wide range of admission selectivity, from open-access two-and four-year institutions that admit all students to highly selective research universities and liberal arts colleges that admit only a small fraction of those who apply. Admissions decisions at selective institutions are based on a fixed set of academic criteria, including high school coursework, grade point average and class rank, and admissions test score, as well as a more flexible set of non-academic characteristics, such as demonstrated leadership ability, creativity, and community service. The admissions decisions at highly selective institutions are so complex and consider so many factors.
3. Two-year colleges and a small number of four-year institutions grant associate degrees. Associate degrees may represent a degree in a vocational field or may prepare students to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. Credits earned in associate degree programs can be transferred to bachelor’s degree programs under certain conditions. The transfer of credits from associate degree programs to bachelor’s degree programs are usually governed by agreements between institutions. Unlike a certificate or a diploma the associate degree is a recognized higher education degree. US bachelor’s degrees are usually planned to take 4 academic years of full-time study to complete. However, many degrees take longer to complete, including those in engineering, architecture, medicine and other fields; and many bachelor’s degrees are completed in less than 4 years by highly qualified and motivated students. The bachelor’s degree should prepare students for entry-level jobs as well as for possible advanced study. The Master’s degree is the first graduate-level qualification, or second cycle degree. In the US higher education system Master’s degrees generally take two years to complete, but the time period may be shorter or longer, depending on how the degree program is structured, whether the student is enrolled full-time or part-time, the degree requirements and the prior preparation of the student. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) represents the highest academic qualification in the US education system. Students admitted to doctoral programs must complete all qualifying graduate-level coursework and participate in doctoral seminars and colloquia. Students who complete these requirements at a satisfactory level must then pass written examinations that cover their chosen research specialization plus two or more specialties, one of which is often in a related subject area. The doctoral degree is given for the dissertation and for a public oral examination defending the dissertation.
4. First-professional degrees represent a category of qualifications in professional subject areas that require students to have previously completed specified undergraduate coursework and/or degrees before enrolling. They are considered graduate-level programs in the US education system. A first-professional degree is an award that requires completion of a program that meets all of the following criteria: (1) completion of the academic requirements to begin practice in the profession; (2) at least 2 years of college work prior to entering the program; and (3) a total of at least 6 academic years of college work to complete the degree program, including prior required college work plus the length of the professional program itself. The US higher education system awards intermediate graduate qualifications that represent studies and research beyond the Master’s degree but are not the equivalent of the Doctor’s degree. Most of these qualifications are in professional fields of study and represent a level of education corresponding to advanced professional standing.
5. The US federal government does not have any direct authority over US education. The Constitution does not mention education as a general responsibility, the federal government plays a limited role and the US has never had an education ministry. Public and private higher education institutions enjoy more autonomy and are more internally self-governing than are schools. Nevertheless, state governments issue charters to institutions, regulate standards and quality to varying degrees, and may have regulatory authority over various aspects of the operation of public institutions.
6. A wide array of government and private financial aid programs provides assistance to students based on both financial need and academic merit. Financial aid tp students includes federal grants, loans and tax credits, state grants and grants provided by colleges and universities, as well as private organizations. Federal student aid is financial help for students enrolled in eligible programs at participating schools to cover school (a four-year or two-year public or private educational institution) expenses, including tuition and fees, room, books and transportation. The two most common types of aid are grants and loans. Grants are a type of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Generally, grants are for undergraduate students and the grant amount is based on need, cost of attendance and enrollment status. Usually Federal grants range from $ 890 to $ 4,500. Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants range from $ 100 to $ 4,000. Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Both undergraduate and graduate students may borrow money. Maximum loan amounts depend on the student’s year in school.
Укажите, в каком абзаце говорится о:
1. First professional degrees and intermediate degrees.
2. Authority responsible for higher education.
3. Types and degree-awarding institutions.
4. Aid to students.
5. Student admission.
6. Type of academic degrees, terms of study and completion requirements.
Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих словосочетаний.
Получать ежегодное ассигнование из бюджетных средств штата; может быть светским
(учебное заведение) или быть связанным с религиозной общиной; разнообразие систем отбора при приеме в высшее учебное заведение; принимать ( в учебное заведение) только малую часть тех, кто поступает; находятся под управлением совета попечителей; исследование под руководством научного руководителя; извлекающие доход (коммерческие) или не ставящие своей целью извлечение доходов (некоммерческие) университетские корпорации; удостоверение о прохождении какого-либо курса в учебном заведении; имеющие самоуправление сообщества; сдавать экзамены по профилирующей дисциплине.