Destination USA: Advanced coursework, credits for faster program

Welcome back readers to this week’s column of Destination USA. Last week, we started discussing coursework at US institutions and understood how degree programs in the United States constitute both core and elective courses. We also talked about the registration process for the coursework.

Today, we continue the discussion and talk about advanced coursework and the credit system. In addition to the core and elective courses, before a student enters college, they may also complete advanced or college-level coursework that counts for credit towards their program of study, allowing them to complete their degree in less time. This can be accomplished through Advanced Placement or Accelerated Programs. Students may demonstrate university or college-level proficiency in selected coursework by taking AP exams before starting their program of study. For more information about AP exams, students may visit https://ap.collegeboard.org/.

Most colleges and universities in the United States use a credit system to record the completion of courses (with passing grades) that are required for an academic degree. Credits are units of study that record the progress and completion of courses that are required for the completion of a degree. The college catalog indicates the value of each course in terms of credit hours or units.

Generally speaking, a cumulative 120 credits are required over four years in order to get a Bachelor’s degree. For a Master’s program, on average, 32-36 credits are required but for some Master’s degrees, this requirement may be as high as 60 credits. International students have to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits per semester in order to maintain their international student status. To get a feeling of the subject and decide whether they want to pursue it further, students may audit a course wherein they attend classes without receiving credit towards a degree.

The courses required for the completion of a degree, courses offered in a semester, and the credit system may vary from institution to institution. So, it is important that students check the specific university website to understand the coursework requirement and credit policy at their enrolling institution.

— Monika Setia (Regional Officer and EducationUSA Adviser at the United States-India Educational Foundation based at the US Consulate General Hyderabad. Please visit https://educationusa.state.gov/centers/educationusa-usief-hyderabad for more information)

Q&A:

Q. I am interested in pursuing law programs in the United States. What application components are required for the applications?

— Raghu Rama Rao

A. There are various Degree options available for international students in the field of law in the United States, including Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Law (LLM), and other Master’s degrees (MJ, MCL, MCJ, etc.). Before applying, it is important that you first identify the right program of study for yourself. Some factors to consider include your own educational background, admission requirements, and duration and cost of study. If you have already pursued a Bachelor’s degree in law, then you are eligible to apply for the LLM program. However, if you do not have the relevant educational background, then you may consider the JD program or one of the Master’s degrees in law.

For the LLM program, application requirements include transcripts for the first degree in law, 2-3 letters of reference, resume, statement of purpose and/or writing samples, financial documents, and an English proficiency score (TOEFL or IELTS). Most graduate law programs do not require standardised admissions tests. However, for admission to the JD program, in addition to the above application components (except the transcripts that could be from any degree program and not necessarily a degree in law), students also need a satisfactory score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and students may find more details about the test at https://www.lsac.org/lsat. The LSAC website provides a platform to apply to many institutions for JD and LLM programs (https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school ). Students may apply directly to institutions that are not included on the LSAC website application portal.

Q. Our daughter is looking to pursue her undergraduate program in the United States. We are looking for information on SAT subject tests but could not locate it. Can you please help?

— Pratibha

A. The College Board made changes to the SAT Suite of Assessments for 2021 and beyond last year as part of its efforts to simplify work and reduce demands on students and stopped administering SAT Subject Tests internationally after June 2021.