The similarities between the higher education in the United States of America and the Western Europe are limited - Essay Example

The following essay will compare the differences in the systems of higher education both in the USA and Western European countries. Key words: higher education in the USA, higher education in the Western Europe, Bologna Declaration Though there are limited similarities between higher education in the USA and Western Europe, nevertheless they exist. First of all, the students both in the USA and Europe enter the college or university after finishing school and getting secondary education. In the USA one has to attend 12 years of primary and secondary school, and with the secondary school diploma or certificate one can go on to getting higher education in the university or college.

The secondary education in the Western Europe differs slightly from country to country. Generally, the pupils need to attend 11-12 years of primary and secondary school before entering college or university. To enter university students in both Europe and the USA need to provide a proof of completion of high school. Besides, in the USA pupils need to pass the standardized test (SAT, ACT). There is a tuition fee that needs to be paid, but the amount can be different from university to university.

There are public and private universities in the USA as well as Western Europe. As far as higher education goes, still, there are more differences than similarities between the USA and the Western European countries. Usually, American students are able to earn their Bachelor's degrees by attending Spring and Fall semesters for four years, if they spend summers at home. It is also possible to study in summer, this way one will earn his Bachelor’s degree in a shorter period of time. “Most colleges and universities follow either a quarter-based calendar system or a semester-based calendar system.

In a quarter system, the academic year is divided into three sessions called quarters. Each quarter lasts about 12 weeks. There is usually an additional quarter in the summer, where registration is optional. In a semester system, the academic year is divided into two sessions called semesters. Each semester lasts 16 weeks.” (The US College Unit System, para.2) Study at a college or university leading to the Bachelor's degree is known as "undergraduate" education. A Bachelor degree is the most traditional degree given by the US colleges and universities.

The American system of higher education measures student's progress in credit hours. The student must earn 124 credits to graduate with a Bachelor's degree. Each college course is assigned a certain value in “credits” or “units.” The number of units corresponds to the number of hours that a student will attend class for that course. Most colleges require that students complete a minimum number of units in order to graduate, rather than a minimum number of courses. This way, it gives students more flexibility and more freedom of choice as far as what courses to take in order to complete their graduation requirements.

If one finds his bachelor’s degree to be insufficient, he/she may proceed to get their Master’s degree and Doctorate (also known as PhD). One may need a PhD degree to teach at the university, for example. In addition, there are some courses that are taught only at the “postgraduate” level (the next level after the Bachelor’s degree). Among such courses are law, medicine and dentistry. How