colleges and universities i dont undertand the american system?

Question

what is the deal with teh american system? is college and university the same thing in the good old U S of A? here in brittain college is the place where people who want a non degree qualification go to after high school! so what is the differnce?

Answer 1

In the US we use the words college and university synonymously. Basically they are the same thing. You get a degree from either place and you can get the same types of degrees at either place.

Answer 2

Not all school systems are the same, any differences are only by a year, though; this is what I went through: You start with kindergarten at 4 or 5 (this is typically half-day, but starting to move towards full day). Then, there are 5 years of elementary school, followed by 3 years of middle school or junior high, then 4 years of high school. Grades are 1 through 12, 1 being the year after kindergarten and 12 being the last year of school. Afterwards, many people go on to college; usually a 2-year associate's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree.

Answer 3

In the US a college is a place that has a focus on one subject. Teachers College, Medical College, College of Law etc. The University is the universe of all colleges. The University is an umbrella organization, then, that holds the colleges together. The benefit is that all of the Teachers College students, for example, can share resources with the College of Arts and Sciences to fulfill their math requirements. Mathematicians can go to the Teachers College for instruction in Pedagogy. Usually American students will declare a "Major". This is the major focus of study and is relegated to one of the many "Colleges." At some Universities, however, one can dabble in all the colleges and come out with a University Degree. This is issued by one of the parent organizations and not the college itself. Hope that helps. It is a little sticky, I know. My grandfather went to "College" in Ireland, nothing more than a high school here. The French sit for a Baccalaureate after high school (lyceum). In the US a Baccalaureat is a college or university degree.

Answer 4

A university is a 4 year school where you can earn a Bachelor's Degree. They can be state run or privately funded schools. Private schools are usually much more expensive.

Community colleges (usually run by the county) are 2-year schools where you earn an Associate's Degree. They usually have lower standards for admission requirements. If you wanted to, you could then go on to a university to get your Bachelor's.

But some 4 year schools are called colleges - Boston College for example.

Just wanted to add - if someone says they are "in college" it doesn't specify what type of institution they are attending. We always say we're "in college" or "going to college" even if the name of the school is Something University.

Answer 5

In the U.S. there are many different types of schools after High School.

Most Colleges specialize in one field; nursing for example, or computer science. They certainly offer a wide variety of other classes too. And you can get a degree in other subjects there. But typically the college has its very best teachers in that one specialization.

Colleges run to benefit local students are called, Community Colleges. They often are the easiest places to get students up to speed for the more difficult (and expensive) classes in the larger State and Regional Colleges.

Community colleges have specializations just like the other colleges do. But their primary job is to educate students for the first two years of their college careers at a low cost; and to provide an entry experience for weaker students needing to boost their skills and study habits. Community Colleges typically graduate most of their students in two years and give an associates degree.

A University is just a big collection of colleges. There's an enormous diversity in the non-major classes that students can take at a University. Most University students graduate in four years and receive a bachelors degree.. Many will continue their studies at University for a Masters and some will specialize even further for a PHD degree.

Folks that want to learn a special SKILL like automotive repair, or medical secretary; will usually go to a Technical College. Most give a certificate of completion and graduate in one to two years of study.

Answer 6

There are minor differences but for the most part people use these words synonymously. Universities tend to be larger than colleges, and some colleges offer two-year programs. Also, univerisites are comprised of many small "colleges" or programs. I graduated from U of Ky with a degree from the College of Arts & Scienes... Big universities have colleges of Medicine or Law, etc.

Answer 7

The general difference is that a University is a larger environment of learning the encompasses many colleges.

While I went to a university, I graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Answer 8

College and university means the same thing. It's where you go after High School.

Answer 9

A University is for a degree; so is a college.Both are generally 4-year programs.

A community college is a two-year school, usually people go there to save money and to prepare for a transfer to a four-year school.

Answer 10

universities are bigger and cover a lot of majors where as colleges are specialised such as liberal arts, technical, etc etc
also universities have facilities where students and proffesors can pursue academic research with quesy practical applications but colleges can only allow for educational research