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
Kỳ 4: Điện Công nghiệp – Nghề tiềm năng trong tương lai
Có mặt trong TOP 10 nhóm ngành thiếu hụt lao động nhiều nhất (Theo Falmi) tuy nhiên không phải ai cũng hiểu rõ công việc của những người theo nghề Điện Công nghiệp. Nhằm giúp các bạn học sinh giải đáp những thắc mắc liên quan đến ngành nghề này, chúng tôi đã tập hợp một số câu hỏi và trả lời được nhiều người quan tâm.
Bảng quy đổi điểm các bài thi tiếng Anh quốc tế
Tất cả các trường/ cơ quan quốc tế đều công nhận các kết quả IELTS, TOELF, PEARSON, CAMBRIDGE, vì vậy hãy học tốt tiếng Anh chung, và hãy chọn một trong số các loại kỳ thi trên để luyện và thi. Hy vọng bạn sẽ thấy các thông tin dưới đây là hữu ích
Du học New Zealand: tăng quyền làm việc cho du học sinh
Thông tin cập nhật nhất: du học sinh học tiếng Anh tại các trường chất lượng cao tại New Zealand, đăng ký khóa học tối thiểu 14 tuần trở lên, được phép làm thêm 20 giờ/ tuần.
Visa du học Anh và thông tin cập nhật
Giấy tờ để xin visa du học Anh khá đơn giản, tuy nhiên cần logic và hợp pháp. Vi phạm các quy định có tính pháp lý như: hồ sơ không trung thực chẳng hạn, bạn sẽ bị cấm vào Anh trong 10 năm, vì vậy, hiểu biết cơ bản về visa du học Anh là cần thiết.c
Tặng vé máy bay khi du học tại HTMi – Thụy Sỹ
Học phí rẻ, được tặng vé máy bay, học tập và ở ngay tại khi resort 3 sao, lương thực tập >=USD 2,500/ tháng, có việc làm ngay sau khi tốt nghiệp…đó là các lợi thế khi bạn du học ngành quản trị du lịch- khách sạn tại Hotel and Tourim Management Institute – HTMi, Thụy Sỹ
Kỳ 3: Nghề Điện lạnh: Không chỉ HOT trong mùa hè
Đời sống của người dân ngày càng được nâng cao thì việc sử dụng các thiết bị điện lạnh như tủ lạnh, điều hoà nhiệt độ, … càng trở nên phổ biến. Nhu cầu sử dụng các thiết bị này thường tăng mạnh vào mùa hè, vì vậy đây được coi là mùa cao điểm đối với các kỹ thuật viên điện lạnh.