Education System: USA vs Canada | Which one is best for you?

Introduction

North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, almost entirely in the Western Hemisphere. Its borders are the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, South America and the Caribbean Sea to the southeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Greenland is geographically part of North America because it is on a structural plate in North America.

North America makes up roughly 4.8 per cent of the planet’s surface area and approximately 24,709,000 square kilometres (9,540,000 square miles), or 16.5 per cent of its land area. North America is the fourth largest continent in terms of population after Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is also the third largest continent in terms of area. In 2013, its population was estimated to be about 579 million in 23 independent states, accounting for about 7.5% of the world’s population. In human geography and non-US English-speaking countries, especially Canada, “North America” ​​and “North America” ​​are only available for Canada and the United States.

About USA

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Destination USA is the country profile of the Nations Online Project in the United States, a country of 50 states covering central.
North America. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the continental United States in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Alaska, the largest state in the United States, occupies a vast peninsula on the north-western tip of North America. Hawaii, USA, is a group of islands in the Central Pacific Ocean southwest of the mainland United States.

The United States borders Canada to the north. The 1,950-mile (3,155 km) southern border with Mexico is partially walled (or fenced). The United States also shares maritime boundaries with the Bahamas, Cuba and Russia. With an area of ​​9,833,516 km², the United States is the third largest country in the world. The nation is larger than the European Union or Russia by more than two to one. The United States has 330 million people (2021). The United States’ most populated nation is that one. Officially, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, serves as its capital. The largest city in the nation is New York. Spanish is used 13% of the time, and English is used 80% of the time.

About Canada

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The second-largest nation in the world is Canada. It occupies most of North America and borders Alaska (USA) in the west and 12 states in the United States in the south, making it the longest border in the world at 8,891 kilometres. It is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Arctic Ocean in the north. The country occupies 8,965,590 square kilometres, slightly larger than the United States. Canada is divided into 13 proto-state divisions of 10 states and three regions. Canada is divided into many geographical areas, the landscape of which offers a variety of pristine landscapes. A vast geographical zone, the Canadian Shield occupies half of the country and is centred around Hudson Bay. South-eastern Canada features lowlands adjacent to the Great Lakes, such as Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. Canada has a population of 38 million (as of 2020). This is the most convenient and is about 10% of the neighbouring U.S. population. The capital is Ottawa, and the major metropolitan areas are Toronto. The languages ​​spoken are English and French.

Education System in USA

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The U.S. education system consists of 12 years of primary and secondary education before students advance to higher education. In the United States, school calendars start in August or September and continue until May or June. Most students start school in the fall. A semester consists of three semesters, also known as semesters. The first semester lasts from September to December, with short vacations between the semesters. The second semester lasts from January to May. The last semester is summer vacation. College students may have a summer vacation from June to August.

Elementary and K-12 Education

Elementary and junior high schools are similar in the United States. However, there are a few minor variations from state to state. Primary and secondary education can be divided into the following:

  • Elementary School: Lasts 6-7 years from kindergarten to 5th or 6th grade
  • Junior high school: 6th grade or 7th to 8th grade runs for 2-3 years
  • High school: Operated for four years from 9th grade to 12th grade

Students who complete grade 12 will be awarded a high school diploma. Students must complete high school to qualify for higher education. Public education in the United States is generally free, but students may receive several fees, including excursions, uniforms, books, and more.

Post-Secondary Education

There are more than 4,500 higher education institutions in the United States. The United States is unique in that its institutions are not centrally organized but are accredited at the national or regional level. There are different types of post-secondary education systems in the United States. They include:

  • Private university or private university
  • State College or University
  • Community college
  • Research Institute

Each type of institution offers students a distinctive educational experience and gives them the freedom to select the career path that is appropriate for them.

Public and Private Institution

State or local governments support public or state agencies. Every state has at least one state university. With government support, students are offered affordable post-higher education options. Private facilities are privately owned and are not funded by the government. It is well known that tuition fees for private institutions are high. They are also smaller than their public school counterparts and may have religious relationships.

Levels of Educational Qualification in USA

Students can achieve various qualifications in the United States while studying there. They are divided into associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.

Associate Degree

A two-year program typically designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of a particular subject. They prepare students for entry-level positions in nursing, design and education.

Bachelor’s Degree

These programs last four years and provide students with education and preparation for most career paths. Students can get a full-time job in their respective fields immediately after graduation.

There are five types of bachelor’s degrees:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Master

It may take a year or two to get with a student who specializes in a research field. The master’s program can be treatise-based or research-based, depending on the student’s area of ​​expertise.

PhD (Doctorate)

There are many types of PhDs that students can obtain. Everything is usually research-based, and students must find a research supervisor at the university they are applying for. Students wishing to enrol in the medical field must obtain a doctoral degree designation different from other doctoral degrees.

Types of Post-Secondary Institution in USA

State University and College

State universities offer cheaper higher education routes. They often have a wide range of courses available. Students also have access to vibrant campus life, extracurricular activities and state-of-the-art educational facilities. There are more than 60,000 students enrolled at the biggest public institution in the country. Many State Universities are accessible:

  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Virginia
Private University vs College

Private institutes offer small classes to students and help them build relationships with professors and advisors. Although the list of degrees offered will be smaller, students will have the possibility to customize their degrees and participate in more discussion-based classes. Private universities include the famous Ivy League.

Institute of Technology

Technical College is a university specializing in engineering, technology, applied science, and natural sciences. Students can participate in a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some institutions have graduate programs and offer short-term courses. The available institutions are:

Community College

Community colleges are a two-year associate degree/certification. Over the years, community colleges have begun to introduce career-oriented programs. There are two associate degrees that students can earn at a community college. Students can enrol in the Academic Transfer Program or the Staff Program. ESL or Intensive English Programs are available to international students to prepare for college-level courses. The available community colleges are:

  • Northern Virginia Community College
  • Santa Monica College
  • Green River College
  • Miami Dade College

Education System in Canada

Most Canadian children go to kindergarten for a year or two at four or five. After that, compulsory education begins in the first grade, usually six years old. Depending on the state, schools are up to 11th or 12th grade, usually up to 16 years old. Children can then choose whether to continue higher education at college or CEGEP.

Depending on the state, Canadians generally need to attend school up to 16 and have four levels.

Pre-Primary

Kindergarten or “Kindergarten” is Canada’s first level of education and is offered to children ages 4-5 before entering primary school. This is mandatory in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia but optional elsewhere. These are provided by public, private, or federal schools, depending on where you send your child. In most areas, the first year of school is public and free, but in some states, additional years are offered free. B. Quebec. We offer a free kindergarten for children in low-income households or children with disabilities. The curriculum taught in Canadian kindergartens is relaxing and provides young students with the opportunity to learn basic skills such as the alphabet, counting, reading, music, art and playing with others. These programs are specially designed to prepare children for the next step, primary school.

Primary

In Canada, elementary or elementary school begins in first grade and is usually required for children 6 or 7 years old and 11-12 years old to 6th grade. In Canada, students at this level usually have only one teacher who teaches all subjects in the same classroom with the same students. Special school classes are also available. The preschool curriculum includes reading, math, English (French, Quebec), history, science, music, social studies, physical education, and art. As students improve their grades, the difficulty of the course increases.

Secondary

There are two levels of secondary education in Canada: middle school and high school. A real school or a real school continues immediately after elementary school graduation. This is a two-year education level for grades 7 and 8. The last two years have allowed students to adapt to changes in the classroom and teachers throughout the day. This phase is expected to increase the difficulty of the course significantly but is designed to help students prepare for the next step in education in the best possible way.

The gymnasium is the last part of secondary school, starting when students reach grade 8 and staying at this level for four years until grade 11 or 12 (16-18 years, depending on student situation and state). No matter the class they are in when they turn 16, students are compelled by law to attend school until they are 16.

In Ontario and New Brunswick, by law, students must stay in school until they are 18 years old or until they have a high school diploma. In Quebec, secondary education ends in grade 11, followed by a two-year pre-university program called CEGEP. Canadian high schools carefully design their curriculum to prepare their students for higher education. Some states also offer high school-level vocational training.

Post-Secondary

Canadian students can apply to college after graduating from high school. A Canadian college generally refers to a small community college or vocational school. Many Canadian students attend college to further prepare for college and earn transferable credits. Universities in Canada have a similar structure to the United States. They are a place of higher education where you can earn degrees in various subjects, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and even the highest doctoral degrees. Education level. The state government primarily funds public universities and colleges; the rest are funded by minimal tuition and research grants, and the federal government funds some.

Which is best for you – USA or Canada?

Consider these five factors when deciding whether studying abroad in Canada or the United States is right for you. Canada is your best option if you want a higher quality education at a lower cost and are not overly worried about employment opportunities after graduation. If you value good living conditions and work opportunities but do not mind paying more for your education, America is probably better suited for you.

FAQs

Is Canada PR preferable to H1B?

For a more secure life overall, Canadian PR is preferable. While the US H1-B visa is ideal for investigating high-skilled work prospects and ambitious ambitions, it offers a rapid Canadian citizenship option.

Do American universities understand CEGEPs?

Some do, while others do not. CEGEP is well-known at universities where a sizable Canadian population attends. You can observe if many students applying to Canadian universities have Canadian-only international admissions officials (e.g. NYU, Harvard, UPenn). Contacting the university and informing them of your interest in learning more about their programme is an excellent approach. In this email, tell the admissions officer that you are attending CEGEP and ask if you need more information about what CEGEP is.

Are Canadian qualifications recognized worldwide?

Yes, degrees from Canadian institutions are accepted worldwide and known for their quality of education.

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