U.S. Embassy in Lithuania

Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

Higher education institutions in the United States offer both academic programs and vocational training, the latter primarily found at two-year community colleges.  Students can earn certificates, diplomas, or an associate’s degree after two years of study. 

The standard four-year undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS), awarded following the completion of approximately 120 semester credit hours – typically over four years or eight semesters.  During the first two years, American students take general education courses, known as core classes.  After this period, they declare a major (or sometimes a double major) and focus on their chosen academic discipline while still having the flexibility to take electives in other fields.  After earning a bachelor’s degree, most graduates enter the workforce. 

Those who pursue further education may enroll in graduate studies, which typically begin with a Master of Arts or Master of Science, completed in one or two years.  Unlike undergraduate degrees, graduate programs are only offered at universities, not community colleges.  For professional degrees – such as the Juris Doctor (JD) for law, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) for medicine, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) – students must attend a university.  These programs generally take two to four years, and requirements vary by institution.   

Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the United States takes between four and seven years.  The first phase, lasting about two years, concludes with a comprehensive examination known as the preliminary or qualifying exam.  After passing, students begin research for their doctoral dissertation.  The remaining years of the program focus on research, writing, and often teaching undergraduate courses.