Are you wondering how to seek admission in an esteemed university in USA? Explore this article and find all details about the postgraduate courses offered by America.

Postgraduate Courses in USA

Excellent learning atmosphere, world-class amenities and facilities, renowned faculty make the United States of America one of the most sought-after destinations for pursuing higher studies. With more than 1700 colleges and universities offering postgraduate courses in a multitude of subjects, it is typical for several thousand students traveling to USA to fulfill their dreams of achieving a degree from an American institution. Magnificent state-of-the-art facilities, world-renowned institutions, matchless studying environment, and constructive campuses contribute greatly to the students’ personal and social growth. Students enrolling themselves in a graduate degree course in a US university undergo a study structure, different from any other country. Unlike other universities and colleges wherein students have to submit their thesis and researches to obtain the degree, the graduate coursework in US is a blend of research and taught courses. On successful completion of the curriculum, the degree, so earned, allows the students to pursue their choice of profession and fulfill their dreams of making it big in the industry. Glance through the lines below to find all details about the courses offered for a Graduate degree and the requirements to acquire admission in your choice of an esteemed US university.

Postgraduate Courses in USA

Degree Recognition

A graduate degree from a US university is considered to be one of the most highly recognized degrees an individual can achieve, irrespective of the university one is graduating from. The student’s graduate work and credentials secured from an American university are accepted and acknowledged round the world.

Degree Structure

US universities offer a postgraduate degree, or simply graduate degree, similar to a pattern that most universities in other countries follow. Students have the option of doing a Master’s degree in any of the two types of programs - academic and professional. Depending upon the subject chosen by the student, the course can last for one to three years. Academic courses provide entry to a career in academia or research, while professional courses provide entry to a particular profession. On completion of the Master’s degree, students can either explore the job opportunities in the market or continue to pursue their studies to attain the PhD. The duration for PhD program is between four to eight years, entirely depending upon the student’s course, his ability, and complexity of the research work allocated to him. However, the course structure is quite different from the rest of the world. A graduate degree course in US does not follow pure research work. Both postgraduate and PhD programs comprise of research work and classroom lectures. A student’s performance is assessed on the basis of a combined evaluation of classroom participation, examinations, and papers.

Academic Calendar

American universities follow a slightly different academic calendar compared to UK universities. The academic year followed in all US universities lasts for nine months, beginning in late August or early September and extends until mid to late May. The year is split into two, three, or four terms, called as semesters, trimesters, and quarters, ending with a long summer vacation. The most common is the semester system, breaking the academic year into two terms, namely Fall and Spring. Certain universities also run a summer school, extending from May to August, where students can retake any classes they underperformed or study additional modules for earning extra credits.

Subjects for Master’s Degree

Agriculture and related subjects; Applied and Pure Sciences; Architecture, Building and Planning; Art; Aviation; Beauty and Personal Care: Economics; Education and Teaching; Engineering; Fashion Designing; General Management and Business; Hotel Management and Hospitality; Humanities; IT and Computer Science; International Culture, Literature and Foreign Languages; Law; MBA; Mass Communication and Media; Medicine and Life Sciences; Music, Dance and Theatre; Physiotherapy; Sales, Marketing and Retailing; Social Sciences; Therapeutic Personal Care

Admissions Requirements

All American universities demand a minimum of 16 years of formal education, inclusive of a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Thus, if you have completed your graduation in three years, it is advisable that you pursue a post-graduate degree program for one year. This will make you eligible for applying to a postgraduate program in the US.
Universities in US follow the GPA (Grade Point Average) system, based on the 5 points scheme. Thus, it is advisable that you get your marks converted into the GPA system.
Students applying for particular graduate courses, like MBA and MS, should submit an official transcript (mark sheets) from each college or university they have attended after secondary school, indicating complete details of the subjects studied and other details, such as correspondence courses, diplomas, and so on. Most universities also demand the transcript to be sealed in an envelope, signed, and attested across the seal of the registrar. Get this done beforehand from every institution you have attended.
In case your transcripts have been prepared in a language other than English, have them translated in English by the issuing authority or university.
All educational institutions in the US require the students to qualify standardized tests, like GRE, GMAT, along with English proficiency tests, such as TOEFL, TWE, and TSE. The minimum TOEFL score required for applying to a graduate course by most universities is 570 (paper-based test) and 230 (computer-based test).
For admission in management courses, students should take the GMAT test, for courses other than management GRE test, for law LSAT, for medicine USMLE, and so on.
Prepare a detailed resume of your professional work, including all information and details, like positions held, achievements, and range of work. Relevant work experience is important for admission to many professional and vocational courses, such as MBA and master’s courses in information studies.
Letters of recommendation are another essential part of your documents while applying for a master’s degree or doctoral degree course in the US. Unless specified, it is advisable that you include at least two letters of recommendation in your application.
Personal essays or statement of purpose play a vital role in the evaluation of application for both admission and financial aid as this gives an initial impression of you as an individual to the university. A personal statement illustrates your reasons for choosing the particular course, suitability of your education, experience for the course chosen, personal interests, and career goals.
A copy of your valid passport
Photographs

Application Procedure

Request for an application form from the university’s website. Most universities have online forms which can be duly filled and sent to receive application material.
As an alternative, you can also send an email or air-mail requesting the university to send you the requisite application material. Include a brief description of your educational background, academic objectives, source of financial support, English proficiency, and standardized test scores.
Gather all the required material and documents, required by the University for admissions. Complete the application form and send it to the university, along with the documents, before the last date for applications.

Cost of Education

Tuition Fees in $US

A postgraduate degree in a US university can cost you anywhere between $13,000 per year for a state university and $35,000 per year for an esteemed private university. Apart from tuition fees, majority of the colleges and universities charge additional fees, such as student activity fees, though they are relatively just a few hundred dollars per year.

Living & Other Expense in $US

The average annual living expenses, including accommodation, food, clothing, utilities, phone, and sundry, cost about $7,200-12,000 per year.

Accommodation Expense in $US

Depending upon your lifestyles and area of accommodation, you can end up spending $400 per month on rent, if you are residing alone in Auburn or sharing an apartment with 6 people in New York.

Health Insurance in $US

Mostly, health insurance is a mandatory requirement by US universities for international students. Thus, students are required to have adequate international student health insurance protection, as universities do not want to bear the medical expenses of international students. Health or medical insurance in USA can cost about $300-$400 per year.

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