EDUCATION | Driving tomorrow’s achievements
11 April 2008
About This Issue
From the many types of institutions to the virtually unlimited array of programs and majors, the universities and colleges in the United States reflect the diversity, tolerance, and pursuit of excellence that characterize the best of the country as a whole. Through this journal, prospective international students and their parents and advisors will learn about the American system of higher education and academic and student life at U.S. colleges and universities.
Whether following a rigorous program in chemistry, gaining workplace experience through internships, enriching the educational experience through distance learning and the expanded course and resource offerings of the World Wide Web, or pursuing artistic excellence, students in the United States can find programs and institutions that will allow them to realize their full potential.
The U.S. system of higher education is unlike most others in that there is no national system. The U.S. Constitution reserves for the states all government functions not specifically described as federal. The states are, therefore, principally responsible for the establishment, governance, and regulation of universities and other institutions of higher learning.
The states license institutions, but they neither accredit nor guarantee the quality of these schools. Instead, the system of accreditation is operated by private, nonprofit organizations. One of our sidebars is dedicated to this topic.
The journal includes descriptions of various types of U.S. institutions of higher learning, followed by articles that feature more detailed information about individual university programs, as well as articles about the concept of a "major," college life, and the American styles of instruction. Numerous photos and a video are included to enhance the written descriptions. We also present information about resources for students seeking guidance in navigating the selection, application, and financial aspects of the U.S. system. EducationUSA's educational Advising Centers and their Web site http://educationusa.state.gov/ are among the most useful of these resources. Potential international enrollees are advised to begin the application process at least one year prior to the application deadline in order to obtain and submit all the necessary academic records and to arrange to take required tests.
In putting together this issue of eJournal USA: Society & Values, we were reminded of how important the college experience is to the student. Without exception, everyone we spoke to suggested we cover his or her college, or the one a family member attends or did attend. This sense of connection, even after many years in some cases, is an important reminder of the role the college experience plays during a time of personal development, intellectual challenge, and the search for community.
We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic support this project received from the dozens of colleges, universities, and educational organizations that supplied information, photographs, and articles in order to help us present as full a picture as possible of higher education in the United States. Our use of their information or photographs should not, however, be construed as an endorsement of any school or organization.
The journal was prepared to coincide with International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. International Education Week 2005 is November 14-19.
The Editors
