American universities all implement the credit system, and the number of credits determines whether they can graduate. So how is the credit system stipulated in American universities? And take a look at the detailed introduction of the credit system in American universities.

I. Overview

Generally speaking, a course 1-4 credits, students take 3-5 courses a semester, which is 9- 15 credits. Full-time undergraduate students should take at least 65,438+02 credits in one semester, and graduate students should take 9 months. The United States requires at least two semesters a year, that is, at least 24 credits for undergraduate students and 0/8 credits for graduate students.

Two, the United States credit system courses mainly include the following four forms:

The first is full open elective (also called free elective). This is a form of course selection in the early days of implementing the credit system in the United States, and only a few universities are still implementing it at present. In this form, except English and modern foreign languages, which are generally compulsory courses, the rest are optional courses.

The second is a semi-open elective course. This form is widely practiced in American engineering colleges, and the proportion of elective courses is usually 20%~40%, which is much smaller than the free elective credit system.

The third is the parallel credit system for major and minor. This form divides the courses that students should take into major courses and minor courses, and the proportion of major courses is greater than that of minor courses. For example, the proportion of major courses stipulated by the University of California is 70% ~ 75%, and the proportion of minor courses is 25% ~ 30%.

Fourth, group elective credit system. This is a combination of specialized courses and basic courses, emphasizing that junior students should choose basic courses of different departments and majors and cover them widely, with the aim of broadening students' horizons and cultivating students' different thinking. At present, most colleges and universities in the United States implement this course selection method, which reflects their educational philosophy of attaching importance to basic knowledge and cultivating generalists.

As long as you complete the required credits and pass the exam, you can graduate. However, American universities charge tuition according to credits, so although graduating early can't save tuition, it can save room and board expenses and time.