Your first two years of study you will generally be required to take a wide variety of classes in different subjects, commonly known as prerequisite courses: literature, science, the social sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. This is so you achieve a general knowledge, a foundation, of a variety of subjects prior to focusing on a specific field of study.

Many students choose to study at a community college in order to complete the first two years of prerequisite courses. They will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and then transfer to a four-year university or college.

A “major” is the specific field of study in which your degree is focused. For example, if someone’s major is journalism, they will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. You will be required to take a certain number of courses in this field in order to meet the degree requirements of your major. You must choose your major at the beginning of your third year of school.

A very unique characteristic of the American higher education system is that you can change your major multiple times if you choose. It is extremely common for American students to switch majors at some point in their undergraduate studies. Often, students discover a different field that they excel in or enjoy. The American education system is very flexible. Keep in mind though that switching majors may result in more courses, which means more time and money.

Second Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Master’s Degree

Presently, a college or university graduate with a bachelor’s degree may want to seriously think about graduate study in order to enter certain professions or advance their career. 

A graduate program is usually a division of a university or college. To gain admission, you will need to take the GRE (graduate record examination). Certain master’s programs require specific tests, such as the LSAT for law school, the GRE or GMAT for business school, and the MCAT for medical school.

Graduate programs in pursuit of a master’s degree typically take one to two years to complete.

Third Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Doctorate Degree

Many graduate schools consider the attainment of a master’s degree the first step towards earning a PhD (doctorate). But at other schools, students may prepare directly for a doctorate without also earning a master’s degree. It may take three years or more to earn a PhD degree. For international students, it may take as long as five or six years.

Pandolfino, Carolina

Link: https://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/understanding-the-american-education-system

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is the most common among Bachelor degrees. A B.A. is mainly awarded to students following a programme in the liberal arts or in study fields that are covered in the humanities area, such as:

A liberal arts programme includes general courses in arts, humanities and sciences as well; for instance, your curriculum can cover English, history, mathematics, philosophy and sociology.

 The Bachelor of Science ( B.S. or B.Sc.)  is a type of Bachelor degree that focuses on combining theoretical knowledge with research practice.

The Bachelor of Science  is mainly awarded to students of universities in the areas of:

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)programme is a professional degree. In a BFA, most part of the coursework is dedicated to either visual or performing arts and only around one third of the course work is dedicated to studying liberal arts (history, literature, psychology, etc.). This includes dancers, singers, actors, painters, and sculptors, just to name a few.  The main difference between a BFA and a BA program is the tendency to focus more on their major concentration than on general studies.

Bulgheroni, Daniel Leonardo

https://www.bachelorsportal.com/articles/556/go-beyond-abbreviations-choose-a-suitable-bachelors-degree.html

https://www.geteducated.com/career-center/detail/what-is-a-bachelors-degree

ARTICULO 39 bis — Para acceder a la formación de posgrado, el postulante deberá contar con título universitario de grado o de nivel superior no universitario de cuatro (4) años de duración como mínimo y reunir los prerequisitos que determine el Comité Académico o la autoridad equivalente, a fin de comprobar que su formación resulte compatible con las exigencias del posgrado al que aspira. En casos excepcionales de postulantes que se encuentren fuera de los términos precedentes, podrán ser admitidos siempre que demuestren, a través de las evaluaciones y los requisitos que la respectiva universidad establezca, poseer preparación y experiencia laboral acorde con los estudios de posgrado que se proponen iniciar así como aptitudes y conocimientos suficientes para cursarlos satisfactoriamente. En todos los casos la admisión y la obtención del título de posgrado no acredita de manera alguna el título de grado anterior correspondiente al mismo.

Sección 2: Régimen de títulos

ARTICULO 40. — Corresponde exclusivamente a las instituciones universitarias otorgar el título de grado de licenciado y títulos profesionales equivalentes, así como los títulos de posgrado de magister y doctor, los que deberán ser expedidos en un plazo no mayor a los ciento veinte días corridos contados a partir del inicio del trámite de solicitud de título.

ARTICULO 41. — El reconocimiento oficial de los títulos que expidan las instituciones universitarias será otorgado por el Ministerio de Cultura y Educación. Los títulos oficialmente reconocidos tendrán validez nacional.

ARTICULO 42. — Los títulos con reconocimiento oficial certificarán la formación académica recibida y habilitarán para el ejercicio profesional respectivo en todo el territorio nacional, sin perjuicio del poder de policía sobre las profesiones que corresponde a las provincias. Los conocimientos y capacidades que tales títulos certifican, así como las actividades para las que tienen competencia sus poseedores, serán fijados y dados a conocer por las instituciones universitarias, debiendo los respectivos planes de estudio respetar la carga horaria mínima que para ello fije el Ministerio de Cultura y Educación, en acuerdo con el Consejo de Universidades.

ARTICULO 43. — Cuando se trate de títulos correspondientes a profesiones reguladas por el Estado, cuyo ejercicio pudiera comprometer el interés publico poniendo en riesgo de modo directo la salud, la seguridad, los derechos, los bienes o la formación de los habitantes, se requerirá que se respeten, además de la carga horaria a la que hace referencia el artículo anterior, los siguientes requisitos:
a) Los planes de estudio deberán tener en cuenta los contenidos curriculares básicos y los criterios sobre intensidad de la formación practica que establezca el Ministerio de Cultura y Educación, en acuerdo con el Consejo de Universidades:

b) Las carreras respectivas deberán ser acreditadas periódicamente por la Comisión Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria o por entidades privadas constituidas con ese fin debidamente reconocidas.

El Ministerio de Cultura y Educación determinara con criterio restrictivo, en acuerdo con el Consejo de Universidades, la nomina de tales títulos, así como las actividades profesionales reservadas exclusivamente para ellos.

Academic year: the period of formal instruction, which is usually september to may. It may be divided into terms of varying lengths, such as semesters, trimesters, or quarters.

Accreditation: approval of colleges and universities by nationally recognized professional associations or regional accrediting bodies.

Act: a multiple-choice test of english, math, reading, and science reasoning (plus an optional writing component) used for admission into undergraduate programs.

 

Bachelor's degree: a degree awarded upon completion of approximately four years of full-time study.

 

Campus: the land on which the buildings of a college or university are located.

College: a postsecondary institution that provides an undergraduate education and, in some cases, master's and doctorate degrees. College, in a separate sense, is a division of a university; for example, college of business.

Core course: courses that provide the foundation of the degree program and are required of all students seeking that degree.

Course: regularly scheduled class sessions of one to five hours (or more) per week during a term. A degree program is made up of a specified number of required and elective courses and varies from institution to institution.

Credits: units that most colleges and universities use to record the completion of courses (with passing grades) that are required for an academic degree.

 

Day student: a student who lives in accommodations that are not administered by the college and are off the campus grounds. He or she travels to campus every day for classes.

Degree: diploma or title conferred by a college, university, or professional school upon completion of a prescribed program of studies.

Department: administrative subdivision of a school, college, or university through which instruction in a certain field of study is given (such as english department or history department).

Designated school official (dso): a designated school official (dso) is the person on campus who gathers and reports information on international students to the student and exchange visitor information system (sevis) and assists international students in the visa and employment authorization process. Your dso's name will be listed on your i-20 or ds 2019.

Dissertation: thesis written on an original topic of research, usually presented as one of the final requirements for a doctoral degree (ph.d.).

Doctoral degree (ph.d.): the highest academic degree conferred by a university to students who have completed graduate study beyond the bachelor's and/or master's degree. Students should demonstrate their academic ability through oral and written examinations and original research presented in the form of a dissertation.

Dormitories: housing facilities on the campus of a college or university reserved for students. A typical dormitory would include student rooms, bathrooms, common rooms, and possibly a cafeteria. Also known as “dorms” for short.

 

Faculty: People who teach courses at U.S. colleges and universities. Faculty members may include professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors.

Fees: An amount charged by universities, in addition to tuition, to cover costs of institutional services.

Fellowship: A form of financial assistance, usually awarded to a graduate student. Generally, no service is required of the student in return.

Final exam: Often referred to as a “final,” a final exam is a cumulative exam on a particular course subject encompassing all material covered throughout the duration of the course.

Financial aid: A general term that includes all types of money, loans, and work/study programs offered to a student to help pay tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Fraternities: Male social, academic, and philanthropic organizations found on many U.S. campuses.

Freshman: A first-year student at a secondary school, college, or university.

Full-time student: One who is enrolled in an institution taking a full load of courses; the number of courses and hours is specified by the institution.

 

Grade/grading system: The evaluation of a student's academic work.

Grade point average (GPA): The combined average of a student's grades for all academic coursework completed.In the United States, grades are usually assigned in letters and are based on a 4.0 GPA scale. 

Grade GPA

A 4.0 (excellent)

B 3.0 (good)

C 2.0 (satisfactory)

D 1.0 (needs improvement)

F 0.0 (fail)

Graduate: A student who has completed a course of study, either at secondary school or college level. A graduate program at a university is a study course for students who already hold a bachelor's degree.

 

High school: The U.S. term for secondary school.

Higher education: Postsecondary education at colleges, universities, professional schools, technical institutes, etc.

Honors program: A challenging program for students with high grades.

 

Junior: A third-year student at a secondary school, college, or university.

 

Language requirement: A requirement of some graduate programs that students must show basic reading and writing proficiency in a language other than their own to receive a degree.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT): A standardized test that provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants.

Lecture: Common method of instruction in college and university courses; a professor lectures in classes of 20 to several hundred students. Lectures may be supplemented with regular small group discussions led by teaching assistants.

Liberal arts and sciences: Academic studies of subjects in the humanities, the social sciences, and the physical sciences with the goal of developing students' verbal, written, and reasoning skills.

Living expenses: Expenses such as housing and meals, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, health insurance, etc.

 

Maintenance: Refers to the expenses of attending a university, including room (living quarters) and board (meals), books, clothing, laundry, local transportation, and incidentals.

Major: The student's field of concentration. Major courses represent 25-50% of the total number of courses required to complete a degree. Most students pursue one major, but some pursue double majors.

Major professor/thesis adviser: For research degrees, the professor who works closely with a student in planning and choosing a research plan, in conducting the research, and in presenting the results. The major professor serves as the head of a committee of faculty members who review progress and results.

Master's degree: Degree awarded upon completion of academic requirements that usually include a minimum of one year's study beyond the bachelor's degree.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): A standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.

Midterm exam: An exam administered after half the academic term has passed that covers all class material up until that point.

Minor: The student's secondary field of concentration. Students who decide to pursue a minor will usually complete about five courses in this second field of study.

 

Notarization: The certification of a document (or a statement or signature) as authentic and true by a public official (known in the United States as a “notary public”) or a lawyer who is also a commissioner of oaths.

NRMP: National Resident Matching Program.

 

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE): An English language proficiency examination that measures English ability through tasks that reflect real-life settings.

Placement test: An examination used to test a student's academic ability in a certain field so that he or she may be placed in the appropriate courses in that field. In some cases, a student may be given academic credit based on the results of a placement test.

Plan of study: A detailed description of the course of study for which a candidate applies. The plan should incorporate the objectives given in the student's “statement of purpose.”

Postdoctorate: Studies designed for those who have completed their doctoral degree.

Postgraduate: Usually refers to studies for individuals who have completed a graduate degree. May also be used to refer to graduate education.

Prerequisites: Programs or courses that a student is required to complete before being permitted to enroll in a more advanced program or course.

 

Qualifying examination: In many graduate departments, an examination given to students who have completed required coursework for a doctoral degree, but who have not yet begun the dissertation or thesis. A qualifying examination may be oral or written, or both, and must be passed for the student to continue.

 

Registration: Process through which students select courses to be taken during a quarter, semester, or trimester.

Residency: Clinical training in a chosen specialty.

Resident assistant (RA): A person who assists the residence hall director in campus dormitories and is usually the first point of contact for students who need assistance or have questions about campus life. RAs are usually students at the college who receive free accommodation and other benefits in return for their services.

Responsible Officer (RO): A Responsible Officer is the exchange program staff person who gathers and reports information on exchange visitors to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and assists in the visa process. The RO's name is listed on the DS-2019.

Rolling deadline: Institutions accept applications and admit students at any time during a specific time period until all available spots are filled.

 

Sabbatical: Leave with pay granted to give a faculty member an extended period of time for concentrated study.

SAT: A primarily multiple-choice test of mathematics and English that is used for admission into an undergraduate program.

SAT subject test: A multiple-choice test that measures your knowledge in specific subject areas.

Scholarship: A study grant of financial aid, usually given at the undergraduate level, that may take the form of a waiver of tuition and/or fees.

School: A term that usually refers to elementary, middle, or secondary school. Also used in place of the words “college,” “university,” or“institution,” or as a general term for any place of education; for example, law school, or graduate school.

Semester: Period of study lasting approximately 15 to 16 weeks or one-half the academic year.

Seminar: A form of small group instruction, combining independent research and class discussions under the guidance of a professor.

Senior: A fourth-year student at a secondary school, college, or university.

Social Security Number (SSN): A number issued to people by the U.S. government for payroll deductions. Anyone who works regularly must obtain a Social Security Number. Many institutions use this number as the student identification number.

Sophomore: A second-year student at a secondary school, college, or university.

Sororities: Female social, academic, and philanthropic organizations found on many U.S. campuses.

Special student: A student who is taking classes but is not enrolled in a degree program.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): An Internet-based system that maintains records of foreign students and exchange visitors before and during their stay in the United States. It is part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Subject: Course in an academic discipline offered as part of a curriculum of an institution of higher learning.

Syllabus: An outline of topics covered in an academic course.

 

Teaching assistant (TA): A graduate student who acts as an instructor for an undergraduate course in his or her field, in return for some form of financial aid from the university.

Tenure: A guarantee that a faculty member will remain employed by a college or university until retirement except in the case of very unusual circumstances. Tenure is granted to senior faculty members who have demonstrated a worthy research and publication record. Its purpose is to preserve academic freedom.

Terminal program: Associate degree program leading to a specific career upon graduation.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): An English language proficiency examination of applicants whose native language is not English.

Thesis: A written work containing the results of research on a specific topic prepared by a candidate for a bachelor's or master's degree.

Transcript: A certified copy of a student's educational record.

Transfer: The process of moving from one university to another to complete a degree.

Transfer program: Associate degree program allowing the student to transfer into the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program.

Tuition: The money an institution charges for instruction and training (does not include the cost of books).

 

University: A postsecondary institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

 

Withdrawal: The administrative procedure of dropping a course or leaving an institution.

 

Zip code: A series of numbers in mailing addresses that designates postal delivery districts in the United States.

MARÍA BELÉN SEVERINO

https://educationusa.state.gov/experience-studying-usa/us-educational-system

University students who are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree are called “undergraduates.” Most universities offer undergraduate students a liberal education, which means students are required to take courses across several disciplines before choosing one major field of study in which to specialize.

Courses at most universities are only one semester long. Each course is assigned a number of credit hours, generally based on how much time is spent in class. Most courses are three credits, but some might be one, two, four, or five credits. All degree programs require that their students completely a minimum number of credits before they are eligible for graduation. Most Bachelor’s degree programs do not require students to write a final thesis.

Students who are pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree are called “graduate students.” Graduate and professional programs are specialized, meaning students have one field of study from the beginning.

Students continue to take courses at the graduate level, and a final thesis is required for most programs. Doctoral students take courses until they have earned enough credit hours to attend their qualifying exams, which are usually taken over several days and often include both a written and oral component. After doctoral students pass their qualifying exams, they are advanced to candidacy and can begin writing their dissertation. Before the degree is given, the candidate’s completed dissertation must be orally defended before the candidate’s faculty committee.


Alí, Yamila Belén

Es un documento oficial emitido por la escuela del estudiante. En algunos países emite el Ministerio de Educación.

En las transcripts tiene que constar todas las clases que se tomaron en la secundaria (high school) en orden cronológico y la calificación obtenida. Asimismo, si se ha rendido algún examen estatal requerido para la graduación, hay que incluir las materias examinadas y la puntuación obtenida. Incluir también posibles honores académicos.

Este documento para que tenga carácter oficial, por lo tanto tiene que estar impreso en un papel donde figure el nombre de la escuela o del Ministerio. Y estar firmado por un oficial de la misma o del Ministerio (director o semejante) y tiene que estar sellado con el sello oficial de la escuela o Ministerio.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY:
International Academic Credentials

Stanford’s assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended, and the level of studies completed. The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study required of applicants from recognized academic institutions outside the U.S.

COUNTRY MINIMUM LEVEL REQUIRED
-France | Diplome d’Ingenieur from grandes écoles or completion of two years of classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles (CPGE) and two years of course work toward the Diplome d’Ingenieur degree. Maitrise from universities.
-Germany | The diplom, magister artium (M.A.) or staatsexamen. Three-year Bologna compliant bachelor’s degree accepted
-Middle East | University degree requiring four years of study.
-Canada | Three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec, four-year bachelor’s degree from other provinces.
-Latin America | University degree requiring four years of study.
-Russian republics | University diploma requiring four years of study. Three-year Bologna compliant bachelor’s degree accepted.

Source: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying/starting-your-application/required-application-documents/transcripts-academic-records-0
Álvarez, Lucía Fernanda.