Answer the following questions to the text. 1. What are the main categories of master’s degrees in the US? 2. Is the admission to master’s programs the same throughout the US? What are the differences, if any?

Answer the following questions to the text.

1. What are the main categories of master’s degrees in the US?

2. Is the admission to master’s programs the same throughout the US? What are the differences, if any?

3. How do you understand the meaning of an academic credit? 

4. What does the length of study depend on?

5. What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate degrees?

 

MASTER’SDEGREE PROGRAMS IN NORTH AMERICA

The United States is a country that combines diverse geography and culture with a reputation for academic excellence, making it a leading destination for students pursuing master’s degrees. It's a melting pot of ethnicities, nationalities, races, classes, and opinions, and with a large number of foreign students enrolled in master’s degree programs all over the country, the USA is a wonderful place to further your education. No matter what program of study interests you, you are sure to find something to meet your needs. The USA is particularly well-known for a large number of non-traditional options for pursuing a master’s degree, such as part-time studies, online programs, and distance learning options.

The US higher education system uses the traditional three tiers – bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Although most master’s degrees fall into the category of Master of Arts, Master of Science, or Master of Business Administration, many specialty degrees exist as well.

Admission to a master’s program varies widely. Some programs will accept students with as little as an application and transcript, while other programs require letters of recommendation and exams such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Non-native English speakers may also be required to demonstrate English proficiency via an accredited English language test like TOEFL.
Universities in the USA and Canada offer a wide choice of graduate programs but some of the most common degree choices for international students are: 

· MBA: Master of Business Administration

· Master's in Engineering

· Master's in Management

· Master's in Tourism and Hospitality

· Master's in Computing

· Master's in Accounting

· MPA: Master of Public Administration

· Master's in Nutrition

· Master's in Criminal Justice

A Master of Science in the field of computing prepares highly skilled professionals with advanced expertise in creating and maintaining secure and reliable computing systems and user interfaces. A Computer Science approaches computing from a scientific perspective. An Information Systems major integrates the technology of computing into the business process and business strategy. The knowledge and skills you will acquire in a computing master's degree open up career options in a wide range of industries and applications.

Length of study: Masters' programs vary in length depending on the number of academic credits that must be completed. A 30 credit program can usually be completed in 12 months. Most master's degrees are studied for two years. Some specific professional programs require 60 or more credits for completion (e.g. Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at Long Island University). 

Teaching and learning: Unlike undergraduate degrees, where you take a broad range of courses in addition to your major, graduate degrees are focused on a specific field of study. Master's degrees are mostly taught programs, as opposed to a graduate research program (called doctorate degrees). You will spend time learning in class. To complete a master's degree you will usually need to submit a 'thesis' – a paper on an extended research project. However, some master's degree programs in North America instead require completion of practical work in a professional setting, under supervision.

Graduate Schools: At master's-level in America and Canada, you study at Graduate School. These are usually departments within a university which provide teaching and resources specifically for graduate students. Master of Business Administration (MBA) students will likely be based in a university's graduate Business School.