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EDUCATION REPORT - Foreign Student Series - First Steps (2/3)

Schools known as junior colleges or community colleges offer a two-year associate degree. These can prepare students for skilled jobs. Students also spend a lot less money than at a four-year school. Many universities accept this work as the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree.

To get a bachelor’s degree, students traditionally take general subjects during the first two years. These include areas like history, literature, mathematics and science. After that they take classes in their major area of study.

At the graduate school level, a master’s degree can take two or three years of full-time study in a subject. A doctorate can take longer. There are also professional schools in areas like medicine and law. Such programs require three to six years of study beyond college. Some specialties may require even more study.