THE U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEM
Thứ Hai - 08/12/2025
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.
For tailored guidance and full assistance throughout your study-abroad journey, please contact us HERE:
Duc Anh EduConnect
Hotline: 09887 09698
Email: duhoc@ducanh.edu.vn
Website: www.ducanhduhoc.vn
Bài viết liên quan
Hỗ trợ đặc biệt khi du học tại Đại học Macquarie danh tiếng
Là một trong 10 trường đại học hàng đầu tại Úc, Macquarie mang đến cho sinh viên không chỉ chất lượng giáo dục đẳng cấp quốc tế mà còn cơ hội việc làm trên toàn cầu. CEOs trên thế giới đánh giá Đại học Macquarie trong TOP 5 trường đại học hàng đầu của Úc về tỷ lệ tuyển dụng sau khi tốt nghiệp.
UTS: Đại học năng động nhất – Thực tiễn nhất – Cơ hội việc làm tuyệt vời nhất tại Úc
Nếu bạn đang tìm kiếm thông tin du học tại Sydney, hãy tham khảo trước tiên là trường UTS và UTS: INSEARCH. Đây là trường được nhiều sinh viên đánh giá là năng động nhất- thực tiễn nhất- cơ hội việc làm tuyệt vời nhất tại Úc.
Hiệu quả của chương trình hướng nghiệp cho học sinh cấp 3 khởi nguồn từ Monash
Monash là trường Đại học trẻ nhất trong nhóm Go8 nhưng lại là trường Lớn nhất và Quốc tế nhất của Úc. Với 89% sinh viên có việc làm toàn thời gian chỉ trong 6 tháng sau khi tốt nghiệp, Monash được xếp hạng là trường đứng đầu nước Úc và Top 32 của thế giới để tuyển dụng nhân sự. Monash đứng số Một về hỗ trợ sinh viên bao gồm cả mảng tìm việc làm bán thời gian trong 3 năm liền liên tiếp.
Đại học Sydney- TOP các trường đại học trên thế giới
Công ty Đức Anh Educonnect tặng vé máy bay đến Sydney, trị giá 500 USD cho học sinh nhập học các khóa dự bị ĐH, cử nhân, thạc sỹ, tiến sỹ, khai giảng tháng 7 hoặc tháng 8, 10/2014.
Mùa du học- nói chuyện visa du học (Kỳ 1)
Tháng 6 đến tháng 10 là khoảng thời gian nhiều học sinh, sinh viên xin visa du học nhất; cũng là khoảng thời gian các công ty tư vấn du học chứng kiến nhiều chuyện vui buồn vì visa nhất
Kardinia International College, Úc – Chương trình phổ thông, IB và cơ hội học bổng
Kardinia International College (KIC) tọa lại tại Geelong – thành phố biển lớn thứ 2 của bang Victoria, và cách Melbourne 70km. Đây là địa điểm du lịch nổi tiếng của nước Úc nơi diễn ra nhiều lễ hội lớn nhỏ quanh năm cùng các sự kiện, các giải thi đấu trong nước và quốc tế.