Higher education in the USA

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text.

Higher education in America is provided by colleges and universities. The main difference between a college and a university is that the latter is a collection of colleges each of which specializes in a different field.

There are about 3,000 colleges and universities, both private and public, in the United States. Students have to pay to go to both private and State universities. Private universities are generally smaller but very expensive, which means that the tuition fees are extremely high. State colleges and universities are not that expensive, the tuition fees are usually lower, and if the students are State residents, they pay much less.

American universities and colleges are usually built as a separate complex, called "campus", with teaching blocks, libraries and many other facilities grouped together on one site, often on the outskirts of the city. Some universities are comprised of many campuses. The University of California, for example, has 9 campuses.

In the American system, there are no final examinations at colleges and universities. Students receive a degree if they have collected enough credits in a particular subject. The first two years of student's studies are generally. In the third and fourth years of study, the student specializes in one or perhaps two subject fields.

At the conclusion of studies a college or university grants a bachelor’s degree (a Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B. S.)). After one or two additional years of studies – a master’s degree (Master of Arts (M. A.) or a Master of Science (M.S.)). The highest academic degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). It may take a number of years to complete the original research work necessary to obtain this degree.

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