Vocational education in the United States

The correlation with the Russian system and institutions

Professional education in the US you can get in specialized colleges – community colleges and several universities. Conventionally, it can be equated to education in Russian vocational schools. If You want to buy specialty and experience life in the United States, it is inexpensive and a great alternative to a bachelor degree.

However, this option is fraught with difficulties in obtaining a visa. First, the visa consuls may question the appropriateness of higher education in another country. Secondly, as a rule, students community colleges receive the M-1 visa, which does not provide the same perks that a regular student visa category F-1. One such privilege is the ability to stay in the U.S. for training after training.

But at the same time, many community colleges offer foreign students sponsorship for visa categories F-1, so if You are interested in obtaining work experience in the United States during the internship, You should try to choose a College.

What kind of education do I need for admission

Applicants must have a full secondary education - high school diploma, CIS is enough to know English. All colleges test the knowledge of the language in different ways: some accept certificates from TOEFL or IELTS, others conduct their own exams. For admission to some technical or creative specialties, you may need to submit a portfolio or pass exams.

Degree

Training usually lasts 2 years. After which the student receives the degree of Associate Degree. Certain professions, e.g., nursing and respiratory therapy, it is possible to obtain via it. At the same time, it is not only a professional degree, but an intermediate step towards a bachelor degree.

Having an intermediate degree Associate Degree, students can enter universities at the third course. This method is quite popular due to the fact that education at a local College – much cheaper than the universities and, consequently, the total cost of the bachelor received through the system for 2 years at a community College + 2 years at University would be lower than 4 years at the University. In addition the entrance requirements in community colleges are often lower entrance examinations to universities.