Institution Types

De-centralized educational systems in the USA & Canada means that...

• There is one agency or office that has governing authority

• Some authority is transferred local levels

• There is one centralized administrative office

• Authority is only at the federal or national level

The USA & Canada higher educational systems are diverse. This means that...

• The system is the same in every state or province

• The tuition cost is the same for every university

• You can expect differences within the country

• You can expect consistency between universities

What makes the U.S. undergraduate system holistic and flexible?

• The courses you required in your major

• The focus is on courses in one field of study

• The variety of subjects required

• The degree program is similar for all students

Institution Type: Public and Private

• Public and Private universities cannot offer the same degree programs

• Public institutions are only for citizens of the country they are located in

• Public universities are partially funded by tax money from citizens

• There are no differences between public and private universities

Institution Type: Vocational -Technical Colleges

• Offer skill-based programs for job entry

• Require students to do research for program completion

• Offer Master's and PhD programs

• Require students to have a bachelor's degree to enter

Community Colleges

• Is another name for university

• Offer master's degrees in specialized areas like the MBA

• Offer 2-year Associate degrees

• Only offer certificate courses for career enhancement

Four-Year Colleges

• Focus on bachelor's degrees and are usually private

• Offer degrees at all levels and are mostly public

• offer pre-university or foundation programs

• Must focus on all levels of education up to the PhD level

Universities

• Offer only STEM subjects

• Do not offer business majors

• Must offer engineering majors

• Offer many majors in different Schools or Colleges

Universities

• Have several colleges or schools within the university

• Most undergraduate degree programs are 4 years

• Offer bachelor's, master's and PhD programs

• Offer degrees in many different majors

Specialized Colleges and/or Institutes

• Institutes often focus on either Art-or Technology-related degrees

• Specialized colleges do not require Gen Ed subjects

• Specialized colleges or institutes are the same as any other universities

• Specialized colleges and institutes are only for STEM fields.