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Destination USA: ‘Core’ requirements for a complete degree program
In our last column, we discussed the grading system as part of the special series on US higher education system. Today, we discuss a related topic ‘coursework’ as part of the series. At US universities, courses are regularly scheduled into classroom sessions of one to five hours (or more) per week when the classes are […]
In our last column, we discussed the grading system as part of the special series on US higher education system. Today, we discuss a related topic ‘coursework’ as part of the series.
At US universities, courses are regularly scheduled into classroom sessions of one to five hours (or more) per week when the classes are in-session. All degree programmes usually constitute a specified number of required/core and elective courses.
To complete the requirements of a degree programme in the United States, a student has to complete some core course requirements. This core coursework involves mandatory courses that provide the foundation of the degree programme and are required of all students seeking that degree. In addition to the core courses, students also choose elective coursework.
Electives are the courses that students take outside of their core requirements and may be chosen from any field of study. Electives give students an opportunity to explore other topics or subjects of interest, but the elective credits do count towards the completion of the degree programme.
Once students have enrolled in a degree programme, they have to select courses to be taken during a quarter, semester, or trimester through the process of registration, which can be usually done online through the university student portal. In many instances, students may have to go through the advance registration process before arriving on campus. Popular courses generally fill up quickly and so it is useful for students to be aware of the option of registering in advance. If a student has to drop a course, he/she has to go through the administrative procedure of withdrawal.
Next week we will discuss the concepts of advanced coursework and credit system at US institutions.
……… Q&A: ……… Q. Our daughter has just arrived in the United States for her undergraduate programme. We are worried about how she will adjust to the new environment. Can you please share a few tips? -Radhika Reddy
A. Given the new atmosphere and setting, international students may go through some social and cultural adjustments upon their arrival in the United States. The culture shock may vary by each individual student and could either be a positive or a negative experience depending on how a student responds to the new environment. Keeping an open mind and accepting the newness may be the best way to survive the change. Your daughter should try to understand new ways of living as she interacts with her peers, seniors, professors, and other university officials, while slowly adjusting to the new surroundings and keeping in contact with family and friends back in India. Also, she may try to make new friends from different countries and socialise to build her social support network in the new country.
There are many support services available on US university campuses for international students. Some essential resources include the international students center, counselling center, host family option, and mentoring services. Your daughter should make sure to check the availability and location of these and other services on campus. She may also get involved in other activities available for students on campus through student clubs and associations and sports/fitness centers. Indian student associations are also very active on most US campuses. In addition, some US institutions organise short day trips for new incoming students for them to understand the city and surrounding areas.
In general, international students should try to choose and participate in some of these activities of their interest while keeping a focus on academics. Information about such services, centers, systems, and events may be easily found on their US institution’s website. It is important that new international students give themselves time to adjust to the surroundings while accepting and overcoming their own initial fears and apprehensions.
Q. I am considering applying to master’s programs in the United States. I am confused about from whom should I take my reference letters. Please help! –Ashwin
A. For US university applications, it is important for applicants to take the LOR from someone who knows them well and is able to clearly pen down the academic and scholarly aptitude of the student along with his/her personal characteristics.
While the requirements for reference letters vary by department and/or university, generally two to three letters of reference are required by US higher education institutions as part of the master’s application. You may take the letter either from an academic contact (such as your college teacher/professor) or a professional contact (such as your supervisor/project leader/client) if you have some work experience. Some institutions may require one-two out of the three letters to be taken from academic contacts.
If applying to the Master’s program right after your bachelor’s studies, you may choose one or two lecturers/professors of relevant courses along with the adviser of your project/internship as your referees. However, if you are working or have worked in the past, depending on the requirements of the university, you may take one professional and two academic recommendations from lecturers/professors from the bachelor’s programme who have taught you relevant courses.
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