AMERICAN UNIVERSITY vs ITALIAN UNIVERSITY

 

Introduction

 

The aim of this wikipage is to give a general overview of the American and Italian university systems. Section 1 and section 2 deal respectively with the American university system and the Italian one. In the last section, a table has been used to compare the two systems in order to briefly point out the major similarities and differences of the university system in the two countries. We hope you enjoy our work! 

Elena, Marta, Nina, Sara and Marigny.

 

 

  1. Introduction
  2. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    1. Some general data on the American education system
    2. Different types of universities in the United States 
      1.  Undergraduate study: bachelor's degree
        1. Graduate study: Master's and doctoral
          1. The costs of higher education in America 
          2. Leaving university after a bachelor's degree: traditions in the United States
          3. IL SISTEMA UNIVERSITARIO ITALIANO
            1. Alcuni dati generali sul sistema didattico italiano    
            2. Istruzione superiore universitaria
              1. Il corso di Laurea Triennale (primo ciclo)
              2. Il corso di laurea specialistica/magistrale (secondo ciclo)
              3. Il corso di Master universitario di primo livello (secondo ciclo)
            3. Terzo ciclo
              1. Il corso di Dottorato di ricerca
              2. Il corso di Specializzazione di secondo livello
              3. Il corso di Master universitario di secondo livello
            4. Le Tasse
            5. Alcune statistiche
            6.  I Tipi di università e i Dipartimenti dell'Istruzione
            7.  Alla fine della laurea triennale: tradizioni in Italia (Padova)
          4. ITALIAN  AND AMERICAN SYSTEMS COMPARED
          5.     USA   ITALIA    
          6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
            1. The American system
            2. The Italian system

           

          AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

                                                                                                                                  

          Picture taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/brindy/191057771/

           

          Some general data on the American education system

           

           

          In the United States education is provided mainly by the government operating on the federal, state, and local levels. Compulsory education, which includes elementary and high school education, usually begins at five years old and ends at fourteen or eighteen years old according to the education system of  each state [1]

           

           

          Different types of universities in the United States 

            

          In America, there are two types of universities: the public, or state-supported universities, and the private research universities.

           

          PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

          In America, the 77 % of the nation’s students study for their higher education in a public institution. As a matter of fact, 92 of the 100 largest universities in the US are state–supported and the majority of graduate and professional degrees in the country are produced by large public universities. Public universities in America are identified by the state in which they are located and they are financially supported by it. Headed by a board of trustees and regents, they are the major research centres of the country and they are highly involved in the economic and technological development of the country being breeding grounds for the dissemination of knowledge and cutting-edged technology through research. Public universities are mainly state-supported; typically, they get 10 to 30 percent of their research budget from the state and the other part of the budget comes from tuition and fees paid by the students or grants and gifts. The most prestigious public universities are awarded with research grants and contracts that provide hundreds of millions of dollars per year. State-supported universities have a huge number of students and they often include the largest percentage of international students and scholars. For instance, the University of Minnesota has about 50,000 students and, among these, there are 4,500 international students and scholars coming from 130 different countries. They offer a wide and multifarious range of academic programs embracing all fields of knowledge, and they provide international students with specific international programs. In public universities, education policies are not decided at the federal level.  The policies are mainly delegated to the state in which the university is located [2].  

           

          PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

           

          Even though privately founded research universities account for a low percentage of the higher education institutions in the US, they are held in high regard for the quality of their research, teaching, and degrees. Rankings show that 3-4 major universities are among the top 25 universities in America. Usually, research universities are smaller than their public counterparts and they are attended by an inferior number of students because the high costs are not affordable to everybody. Usually, private research universities are specialized centers of study and they offer high-quality distinctive programs for professional training (such as law, medicine and engineering) and education leading to a Ph.D. degree. Because they are not economically dependent on state funding, they are more open to international programs and research. As a consequence, it is easier to widen their scope with the establishment of “points of presence” [3] in other countries all over the world. The most important difference between public universities and private universities is funding: while public universities are state-supported, private universities have greater financial flexibility because their economic resources come from philanthropic foundations, scientific organizations and grants [4].

           

           

           Undergraduate study: bachelor's degree

           

          YEARS

          Post-secondary education usually lasts four years at a college or university. First-year students are called "freshmen"; the term "sophomores" refers to students in the second year, while "Junior" and "senior" are the labels used in the third and fourth years [5] Some colleges and Universities, such as Dickinson College, have started to refer to "freshmen" as "first-year students", because they consider the term "freshmen" to be derogatory.

           ADMISSION

          Formal application is required in order to receive admission into a college or university. Usually, students apply for more than one university at the beginning of the admission season and write different presentation papers for each university. Admissions criteria are as follows: grades earned in high school, the students' class ranking, and test scores. Before applying to college, students are required to take a standardized test, which supposedly measres how well the student will do in college. Two standardized tests are the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT). It is interesting note that while most colleges require either an SAT score or an ACT score for admission, Dickinson gives applicants the options of sending an essay of which they are proud in place of standardized testing scores. Colleges often also consider more subjective factors such as the students' partecipation in extracurricular activities, an interview at the university, and a personal essay. Once admitted, students concentrate their studies in a major. [6] The admission deadline is in April or May and every year more and more students are rejected by universities. According to Tara-Parker Pope, this years"a demographic bubble has produced the largest group of graduating seniors in history, and they are now facing rejection by colleges at record rates - more than 90 percent at Harvard and Yale, for example".[7]

          FIELDS OF STUDY

           

          Not all undergraduates are admitted directly into their major field of study; instead, most of them must attend general programs in the first two years [8]. All students must commonly attend courses in areas outside of their major. The idea behind this is that by broadening their cultural background, students can get a better, more effective education.  In some degree programs students can also choose a "minor" field of study (for example, medicine could be your major and German could be your minor).

          NON-UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

          Students may also choose to attend a community college for two years before deciding to go on and study at another college or university. After two years they are given an associate's degree (for instance: associate degree in art). Those who want to continue their study can then apply for and be admitted to a four-year college or university, at the end of which they are awarded a  bachelor's degree.

          CLASSROOM LEARNING

          Classroom learning can take two main forms: large lectures (which can be more than 100 students) and seminars with fewer students. Seminars are also called discussion classes because they ask students to discuss issues and materials in class. Students, especially those taking part in smaller groups or "sections", are assigned readings each week, and are often asked to write reports, projects and papers each semester. Students in scientific faculties are also expected to do laboratorial work. 

          GRADES

          In order to assess and judge each students' work, professors give letter grades. Students in many universities are required to maintain a certain grade point  average to go on with their studies at the university or college. Here are the grades and the corresponding grade point averages [9]:

           

          A+ (4.0)

          A (4.0)

          A– (3.7) (excellent)

          C+ (2.3)

          C (2.0)

          C–(1.7) (average)

          F (0) (failure)

          B+ (3.3)

          B (3.0)

          B–(2.7)(above average)

          D+ (1.3)

          D (1.0)

          D– (0.7) (poor)

           

           

           

          Graduate study: Master's and doctoral

           

          After being awarded a bachelor's degree students may choose to continue their study of a certain subject and thus obtain a master's degree. Master courses usually last two years, but their duration actually depends on the faculty students are attending (a master's degree in medicine, for example, takes longer than a Master's degree in Literature)

           

          "The doctoral degree (Ph.D) is the highest degree you can earn in the United States" [10]. Students can be admitted to Ph.D. programs after a Master's degree and only after passing an examination. Most Ph.D. programs last about three years: classes and seminars are the main activities of the first two years, while in the third year students are required to do research and write a dissertation on their research. This dissertation is then discussed during the final oral examination, at the end of which students are awarded their doctoral degree.

           

           

          The costs of higher education in America 

           

          General overview

           

           Higher education is highly expensive in America.  For American families, the task of guaranteeing and paying university costs for their children has become a great burden. The cost of each degree varies from university to university (to search American universities by costs, go to USA Study Guide), but almost every student in America needs to ask for some kind of financial aid or economic assistance (whether it be family savings, employment, scholarships, grants, or even loans) in order to complete his/her university career.

           

          Here are some general data concerning costs of higher education in America:

          •  An academic year in one of the most important four-year universities in America costs on average $50,000. 

          • An academic year in a four-year college costs $20,000 to $30,000 on average but there are cheaper colleges as well where a year costs approximately $10,000. [11]

             

          FINANCIAL AID

           

          Up to 70 % of students cannot afford to pay tuition and must apply for student loans and scholarships from their university, the federal government, or a private lender [12] As a consequence, financial aid is given to many graduate students by research assistantships, which are guaranteed by the contracts and grants that universities receive from institutions,federations, industries and local, state or federal government [13]. Financial support is attained in two different ways: loans and grants. Loans are sums of money borrowed by an institution to give to the students for their studies. Later, students have to pay back the money with interests. Usually the loan is paid back with the money earned in the first years of the student’s working carrier. Grants, including scholarships, are gifts of money that are given to students according to two basic criteria: scholarships for the students who are able to fulfill and maintain a high grade point in their university carrier and grants for students who face a difficult financial and economic family situation. [14] 

          International students are a significant part of the students enrolled in American universities: according to the Institute of International Education, there are more than 500,000 international students who apply for admission to an American university or college every year. [15]International students, too, can have access to financial support even though the economic help is quite limited [16]. There are a lot of websites and web-based programs aimed at giving financial support to students. Among these, American Education Services is a website where each student can figure out which is the most affordable and low-cost loan and manage his/her loan payments to the university.

           

          COSTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

           

          Generally speaking, private universities usually cost much more than public ones because, while the former can rely only on tuition fees paid by the students, the latter are state-funded and get 10 to 30 percent of their research budget from the state. However, public universities commonly cost more for out-of-state students than in-state students, since each state supports its own universities.  In addition, in public universities the highest out-of-state tuition rate is paid by international students. If  "a typical year's tuition at a public university (for residents of the state) is about $5,000" [17], private universities are commonly much more expensive. As for graduate programs, fees can range from $15,000 to as high as $40,000. Beyond educational fees, there are a number of other expenses which are not included in these prices. Among these are living costs such as housing, books, other materials, meals, and other additional expenses such as transportation costs, phone, Internet, health assistance and health insurance.[18]However, these costs can vary from $6,000 to $12,000 per academic year. [19] 

           

           

          Leaving university after a bachelor's degree: traditions in the United States

           

          DSC02766.jpg

                 From: http://gallery.venturacountystar.com/Images/4240.jpg  from:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/491535065_c5d6ed94a4_m.jpg

           

          At the end of bachelor's degree students write a thesis. In this work each student is followed by a professor who gives him/her suggestions for doing good work. The student is not supposed to discuss his/her work in front of other professors, unless he wants to graduate with "honour", which means that he/she is a very good student. 

           

          In June all the students get their diplomas in a ceremony called commencement. The commencement ceremony usually takes place in sports stadiums where the candidates are given diplomas by an academic administrator or official such as the dean or department head, in front of an audience of parents and relatives. Usually several ceremonies take place, divided by field of study, over the course of a weekend. The Universities allocate a specific number of graduation tickets to each student that will be graduating because of the large number of guests that each graduate wants to attend.  Sometimes graduates do not receive an actual diploma at the ceremony but instead they receive a certificate indicating that they took part at the ceremony or a portfolio to hold the diploma in. [20] The candidates will almost always wear academic dress, which is the traditional clothing for this occasion. It consists of a gown (also known as a  "robe") with a separate hood, and usually a cap (generally either a mortarboard, a tam, or a bonnet). [21]During the ceremony an alumnus or a notable figure in the  community gives the commencement speech with which the speaker wishes the graduates good luck in the "real world". Recently, especially in prestigious institutions, the trend has been to find a celebrity or a politician to deliver the speech. 

          After the ceremony, the family of the graduate usually gives a party at home, in which both relatives and friends are invited.  It is common for graduates to receive money from friends and relatives as presents. 

           

          A final thesis has to be written at the end of the Master's degree as well, but in this case it must be longer (more or less 150 pages) and the candidate is supposed to discuss it in front of a commission of professors. The ceremony after the two years of masters is similar to the one of the bachelor's degree, but it may be a little more formal.

           

           

          IL SISTEMA UNIVERSITARIO ITALIANO

           

           

          Picture taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatoubintou/2124779985/

           

          Alcuni dati generali sul sistema didattico italiano

           

           

          “L'istruzione superiore ha per fine di promuovere il progresso della scienza e di fornire la cultura scientifica necessaria per l'esercizio degli uffici e delle professioni.

           

          Tutto il settore dell'istruzione superiore in Italia è stato interessato da un processo di cambiamento.

          Con queste riforme si è voluto sostenere la convergenza del sistema italiano di istruzione superiore verso il modello europeo delineato dagli accordi europei della Sorbona (1998), di Bologna (1999), di Praga (2001), di Berlino (2003) e di Bergen (2005). Su tale prospettiva europea la riforma dell'istruzione superiore in Italia ha previsto un sistema articolato in tre settori, o comparti, istituzionalmente e funzionalmente distinti:

           

        2. l'istruzione universitaria
        3. l' Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale (AFAM)
        4. l' Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore (IFTS) e le altre opportunità di istruzione superiore” [22]

          5.  

          “L'università, sede della formazione e della trasmissione critica del sapere, coniuga in modo organico ricerca e didattica, garantendone la completa libertà. La gestione dell'università si ispira ai principi di autonomia e di responsabilità. Le università hanno adottato i nuovi statuti dell'autonomia, che definiscono gli organi di governo dell'ateneo (rettore, senato accademico, consiglio d'amministrazione) e le strutture didattiche e di ricerca. L'università realizza i suoi fini istituzionali, che sono l'insegnamento e la ricerca scientifica, attraverso le facoltà, i corsi, i dipartimenti, gli istituti e i centri di servizio.” [23]

           

           

          Istruzione superiore universitaria

           

          Il corso di Laurea Triennale (primo ciclo)

           

          OBIETTIVO

          “Il corso di Laurea ha l'obiettivo di assicurare allo studente un'adeguata padronanza di metodi e contenuti scientifici generali, anche nel caso in cui sia orientato all'acquisizione di specifiche conoscenze professionali."[24]

           

          ANNI

          I corsi del livello primo durano 3 anni.

           

          AMMISSIONE

          “Per accedere a un corso di Laurea, occorre il possesso del Diploma di superamento dell'esame di Stato di istruzione secondaria superiore o di un altro titolo di studio conseguito all'estero e riconosciuto idoneo.“ L’accesso a certi corsi(tutti i corsi delle facoltà di medicina e chirurgia, di veterinaria, e di architettura) è limitato[25].

           

          I CAMPI DI STUDIO

           

          Primi lauree sono caratterizzati con sia studi teorici che applicati. Questo e di solito indicato con il titolo “scienze” o “scienze e tecnologie”. Ci sono 42 classi delle Lauree. [26]

           

          ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE NON UNIVERSITARIA

          Tradizionalmente, l‘istruzione superiore non universitaria hanno coperto solo arti, ma adesso anche includono altre settore, tipo interpretazione e traduzione professioni (mediazione linguistica), cosi come la psicoterapia in istituti/scuole di postlaurea (Istituti/Scuole di Psicoterapia), i corsi in Accademie Militari, Istruzione e formazione tecnica superiore – IFTS, come anche i corsi in Formazione professionale regionale FPR. [27]

           

          L' INSEGNAMENTO IN CLASSE

          “I docenti sono liberi di scegliere i metodi didattici; non esiste un'autorità incaricata di scegliere la metodologia da seguire. Possono essere date indicazioni metodologiche che, però, hanno valore di suggerimenti ma non carattere vincolante. L'uso di nuove tecnologie si va sempre più diffondendo, come anche i seminari, i lavori di gruppo e l'interdisciplinarità. È rimessa alla libera determinazione dei docenti, attraverso il loro organo collegiale, la scelta del materiale didattico, il cui uso, sia da parte dei docenti che degli studenti, è gratuito.” [28]

           

          I VOTI

          “Le procedure e le modalità di valutazione degli studenti sono demandate ai regolamenti didattici di Ateneo, con la limitazione concernente l'obbligo di una votazione in trentesimi per ogni esame (scala 0-30, con 18 come voto minimo) e in centodecimi per la prova finale (scala 0-110, con 66 quale voto minimo). Al valore massimo di ciascuna delle due scale valutative si può aggiungere la Lode come nota di particolare merito (30 e/con lode; 110 e/con lode).” [29] 

           

          “In base al nuovo sistema dei crediti formativi universitari, per conseguire la Laurea lo studente deve aver acquisito 180 crediti, comprensivi di quelli relativi alla conoscenza obbligatoria di una lingua dell'Unione Europea, e aver discusso davanti alla Commissione d’esame una relazione scritta relativa ad attività svolte nel tirocinio e/o nel laboratorio, in base a quanto stabilito dal Regolamento di Ateneo.” [30]

          1 credito corrisponde al 25 ore del lavoro durante il corso. 60 crediti corrispondono al lavoro svolto dallo studente nell'anno accademico (che comprende approssimativamente 1.500 ore) 180 crediti sono il requisito per poter conseguire una laurea di primo livello. 120 cediti aggiuntivi sono il requisito per conseguire una laurea di secondo livello (180 + 120 = 300 crediti)

           

           

          Il corso di laurea specialistica/magistrale (secondo ciclo)

           

          Questo corso ha l'obiettivo di fornire allo studente una formazione di livello avanzato per l'esercizio di attività di elevata qualificazione in ambiti specifici.

          Ci sono 104 classi di Laurea Specialistica. [31]

           

           

          Il corso di Master universitario di primo livello (secondo ciclo)

           

          "Il corso di Master universitario di primo livello ha l'obiettivo di garantire perfezionamento scientifico e alta formazione permanente e ricorrente." [32]

           

           

          Terzo ciclo

           

          Il corso di Dottorato di ricerca

          "Il corso di Dottorato di ricerca ha il fine di fornire le competenze necessarie per esercitare attività di ricerca altamente qualificata presso Università, enti pubblici e altri soggetti, anche privati." [33]

           

          Il corso di Specializzazione di secondo livello

          "Il corso di Specializzazione di secondo livello ha l'obiettivo di fornire conoscenze e abilità, per funzioni richieste nell'esercizio di particolari attività professionali." [34]

           

          Il corso di Master universitario di secondo livello

          "Il corso di Master universitario di secondo livello, ha l'obiettivo di garantire perfezionamento scientifico e alta formazione permanente e ricorrente a chi è già in possesso di una Laurea magistrale." [35]

           

           

          Le Tasse

           

          Un esempio delle tasse dell'università: una retta all'inizio dell'anno accademico è di circa 635 euro.  Durante l'anno vengono pagate due ulteriori rette, che dipendono dal reddito dello studente o della famiglia dello studente e dal numero dei membri nella famiglia

           

           

          Alcune statistiche

           

          Il numero del personale acacdemico e gli studenti di tutte le università italiane pubbliche e private [36] 
          Personale accademico: 72.000.
          Studenti: 1.728.000.
          Esclusi gli studenti dopo la laurea: 1.666.000.
           
          La conclusione che si può trarre da questi numeri è che il rapporto personale accademico/studenti è docente per ogni studente.

           

           

           I Tipi di università e i Dipartimenti dell'Istruzione

           

          In Italia esistono diversi tipi istituti per l'istruzione secondaria universitaria, tra cui l'università, il politecnico, l'Istituto Universitario, l'Istituto Superiore, la Scuola Superiore, il Conservatorio di Musica, e l'Itstuto Musicale Pareggiato [37].

           

          Ogni università può avere diverse Facoltà, che offrono vari Corsi di Laurea. Tra le Facoltà ci sono, per esempio, quella di scienze economiche, scienze scolastiche, giurisprudenza, matematica, fisica, scienze naturali, medicina, psicologia, sociologia e scienze statistiche [38].

           

           

           Alla fine della laurea triennale: tradizioni in Italia (Padova)

           

          Both at the end of the three years of laurea triennale and specialistica each student is required to write a thesis.

          For the thesis, the student is advised and assisted by a professor of his or her choice and with whom he/she decides the topic. In some faculties, the students must write a report about the period of the unpaid work that they must do in an enterprise. In every faculty, for the first level degree (laurea triennale) the thesis should be at least 30 pages long, and often, students are required to present their work in front of a commission of professors (but in some universities this is not necessary). The two years of specialistica follows the same process, but the thesis must be much longer (at least 150 pages).

           

          The presentation of the thesis is the most important moment in the student’s life and relatives and friends can take part in it; at the end the president of the commission confers the degree with a grade; the highest grade possible is 110 cum laude.

           

          In Padua there’s a special tradition regarding graduation ceremonies, that has spread to the neighbouring towns as well.

           

          Immediately after the ceremony, the parents traditionally give the graduate a laurel wreath decorated with the colour of his or her faculty. This gift starts the party. On the street outside the university, friends undress the graduate and then dress him or her up with ridiculous clothes or costumes, regardless of the season or weather. The guests tell jokes, and even sing vulgar songs; they can do whatever they want and the graduate must obey all of their orders. Usually they get the graduate dirty with flour, water, cream, chocolate, and even egg!

           

                          Elena after the discussion of her thesis...                                                                     ... Sara after her discussion....                                              

                                                                               

                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                   ... and Marta!!!

           

          The funniest part is what is called “papiro”: it’s a big poster with the student’s caricature in the middle. Surroundig the caricature is the life history since birth of the graduate in rhyme. The author of this paper are the friends, who often invent and exaggerate facts to make it funnier. The basic rule in writing the paper is anything goes! The graduated has to read the poster loud standing on a bench and everybody listens to him and participates. Every time he or she makes a mistake while reading the graduate must take a drink from what the friends have prepared, usually something very alcoholic. In the poster foul language, words with double meanings and swearwords are common, but nobody is shocked and it's accepted as part of the tradition.

           

          After the reading of the paper the party continues in a coffee bar with a buffet.

           

          Here is a video of the tradition in Padova :

           

           

          ITALIAN  AND AMERICAN SYSTEMS COMPARED

           

           

           

           

          USA

           

          ITALIA  

           

           

          Compulsory education /

          Istruzione obbligatoria:

           

          from 5-8 to 14-18 years

           

            dai 6 ai 14 anni

           

           

          Public universities / Universita statali

           

           

          -77%, mainly supported by their state

          -10 to 30 percent of their budget comes from the state

          - grants and contracts

          - a lot of international students

           

           

           

          77 ( 55 Univeraità statali, 3 politecnici statali, 2 Università per Stranieri, 6 scuole/istituti superiori, dette “a ordinamento speciale” in quanto offrono esclusivamente studi e titoli dei due cicli più avanzati, 11 università telematiche)

           

           

          Private universities /

          Settore privato

           

          - lower percentage but very high quality;

          - supported by foundations, scientific organisations and grants

           


          17  Università non statali (legalmente riconosciute)
           

           

           

           

          Bachelor's degree /

          Laurea Triennale

           

           

          - 4 years;

          - admissions criteria: scores in high school, class ranking, test scores, committment in extracurricular activities, a personal interview and an essay;

          - major field of study, but also courses outside it. A minor field can sometimes be chosen as well;

          - classroom learning: large lectures or smaller seminars. Readings are assigned every week to encourage discussion. Papers and reports are required every semester. Laboratorial work for science students.

           

           

          - 3 anni;

          - requisiti: Diploma di superamento dell'esame di Stato di istruzione secondaria superiore. Per i alcuni corsi di laurea valgono ulteriori requisiti;

          - insegnamento: sempre più rilevanza stanno acquisendo lezioni in forma seminariale e che prevedono la partecipazione a workshops e lavori di gruppo.

           

           

           

           

           

          Non-university education (community colleges) /

          Istruzione superiore non universitaria

           

           

           

          - 2 years;

          - associate's degree;

          - possibility of further study at a four years college.

           

           - it covers arts, interpreting and translating porfessions, psychotherapy, higher technical education and training

           

           

           

          Grades /

          Voti

           

           

          from A (excellent) to F (failure). C is the grade average students should at least maintain to go on with their study.

           

           scala 0-30, con 18 come voto minimo

           

           

           

           

          Master's degree (post-graduate study) /

           

           

          - after a bachelor's degree;

          - usually two years or more depending on the faculty;

          - further study of a certain subject.

           

          - laurea specialistica/magistrale;

          -master universitario di primo livello.

           

           

           
          Doctoral degree  /

          Terzo ciclo

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

          - Called Ph.D.;

          - After a master's degree;

          - Admission only after passing an examination;

          - Usually three years;

          - First two years; seminars and classes;

          - Third year: research and dissertation on it;

          - Final oral discussion on the dissertation.

           

          - Dottorato di ricerca;

          -  Master universitario di secondo livello.  

          Costs / Tasse:

          		 -  highly expensive (from $10,000 for a year in a college to $50,000 for a year at the university) 

           

          - private universities cost much more than public ones, since the latter can rely on state funds;

           

          - additional costs are not included in the tuition rate

           

          - as each state supports its own schools, costs for out-of-state students are higher than for in-state-students;

           

          -the highest tuition rates are paid by internation students

           

          - 70% of students need to apply for financial aid in order to study. Two basic ways: loans and grants.

          - una retta entrata.

           

          - una rata secondo.

           

          - le tasse dipendono sulla rendita dello studente.

           

          - le tasse dipendono sul numero dei membri nella famiglia dello studente.

          After degree... /

          Dopo la laurea

          After bachelor's degree:

           

          - Thesis without oral discussion

          - commencement ceremony

           

          After master's degree:

           

          - thesis (more or less 150 pages) with oral discussion

          - commencement ceremony

           

           After both Laurea Triennale and Laurea Specialistica:

          - thesis of at least 30 pages (Laurea triennale) and 150 pages (Laurea Specialistica)

          -oral discussion

           

          Special graduation tradition in Padua

          - laurel wreath

          - jokes and tricks

          - "papiro"

          - buffet in a coffee bar

           

           

           

          BIBLIOGRAPHY

           

          The American system

           

          - Indiana University "American Education System". Retreived on April 19, 2008 from http://www.indiana.edu/intl/edsys.shtml

          - Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States

          - US Department of Education "Undergraduate and graduate Post-secondary Education". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-struc-geninfo.html

          - Conversa Language Center "Description on English programs, colleges, universities and vocational schools in the US". Retrieved on April 19, 2008 from  http://www.conversa1.com/S_desc.html

          - Bruininks, R.H. Public universities in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/bruininks.htm

          - Wagner, J.W. What is a large, private research university, eJournal USA. retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/wagner.htm

          - American Education Services. Retrieved on April 22nd, 2008 from http://www.aessuccess.org/index.html

          - Fees & Funds, New York Colleges. Retrieved on April 22nd 2008 from http://www.apartmentsusa.com/rent/london/newyork-colleges.html

          - The cost of college in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 22nd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/costs.htm

          - Schulze, M. Possible sources of financial aid, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 23rd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/aid.htm

          -Wikipedia (2008) "Graduation". Retrieved on April 30th, 2008 from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduation

          - Pope, Tara-Parker (2008). College's high cost, before you even apply, The New York Times. Retrieved on April 30th, 2008 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/health/29well.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1209466893-6ALJQp4o/IF3nR+Yjt7C2A&oref=slogin

           

           

           

          The Italian system

           

          - Euroeducation.net. "The European Education Dictionary." International Associations of Universities, Retrieved 6 maggio 2008 from htt://www.euroeducation.net/prof/italco.htm

          - The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT

          - Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Universita e della Ricerca. "Guida". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.miur.it/guida/guide.htm

          - Perotti, R. 2002. "The Italian University System: RUles vs. Incentives." European University Institute.

          - University of Milano. 2005. "Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca." Retrieved 6 maggio 2008 from http://www.unimib.it/go/Home

           

           

          Footnotes

          1. Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States ▲
          2. Bruininks, R.H. Public universities in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/bruininks.htm ▲
          3. Wagner, J.W. What is a large, private research university, eJournal USA. retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/wagner.htm ▲
          4. Wagner, J.W. What is a large, private research university, eJournal USA. retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/wagner.htm ▲
          5. Indiana University "American Education System". Retreived on April 19, 2008 from http://www.indiana.edu/intl/edsys.shtml ▲
          6. Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States ▲
          7. Pope, Tara-Parker (April 29th, 2008). College's high cost, before you even apply, The New York Times. Retrieved on April 30th, 2008 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/health/29well.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1209466893-6ALJQp4o/IF3nR+Yjt7C2A&oref=slogin ▲
          8. Indiana University "American Education System". Retreived on April 19, 2008 from http://www.indiana.edu/intl/edsys.shtml ▲
          9. Indiana University "American Education System". Retreived on April 19, 2008 from http://www.indiana.edu/intl/edsys.shtml ▲
          10. Indiana University "American Education System". Retreived on April 19, 2008 from http://www.indiana.edu/intl/edsys.shtml ▲
          11. The cost of college in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 22nd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/costs.htm ▲
          12. Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States ▲
          13. Fees & Funds, New York Colleges. Retrieved on April 22nd 2008 from http://www.apartmentsusa.com/rent/london/newyork-colleges.html ▲
          14. The cost of college in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 22nd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/costs.htm ▲
          15. Schulze, M. Possible sources of financial aid, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 23rd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/aid.htm ▲
          16. Bruininks, R.H. Public universities in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 21st, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/bruininks.htm ▲
          17. Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States ▲
          18. The cost of college in the United States, eJournal USA. Retrieved on April 22nd, 2008 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/1105/ijse/costs.htm ▲
          19. Wikipedia (2008) "Education in the United States". Retrieved on April 18, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States ▲
          20. Wikipedia (2008) "Graduation". Retrieved on April 30th, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduation ▲
          21. Wikipedia (2008) "Graduation". Retrieved on April 30th, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduation ▲
          22. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          23. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          24. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          25. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          26. Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Universita e della Ricerca. "Guida". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.miur.it/guida/guide.htm ▲
          27. Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Universita e della Ricerca. "Guida". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.miur.it/guida/guide.htm ▲
          28. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          29. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          30. The Database on Education Systems in Europe. "Tertial Education, Italy ISCED 5-6". Retrieved on April 27, 2008 from http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          31. http://www.miur.it/guida/guide.htm ▲
          32. http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          33. http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          34. http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          35. http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByCountryTopicResults?topicCode=abap&construCode=CC&countryCode=IT ▲
          36. Perotti, R. 2002. "The Italian University System: RUles vs. Incentives." European University Institute. ▲
          37. University of Milano. 2005. "Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca." Retrieved 6 maggio 2008 from http://www.unimib.it/go/Home ▲
          38. Euroeducation.net. "The European Edcation Dictionary." International Associations of Universities, Retrieved 6 maggio 2008 from htt://www.euroeducation.net/prof/italco.htm ▲


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            Marta Guarda:Thank you Elena for adding my photo!!this wiki is crazy, colours and size are always changing..Boh! Thank y Maigny for adding the Italian part, as you can see we've adjusted some expressions: in general it was really very good! We've just modified some words in order to make them sound more "formal" style..But you're definitely great in writing in Italian!! keep up your good work!
            Elena Boscaro:Dear girls, I tried to use a bigger font as one of the other groups suggested us in the evaluation wiki page. Unfortunately, not all the parts accepted it and so there are still some parts that are written with a different font. As we know, the wiki does whatever it wants! So I had to give up :-( Marta, look at you photo!!! ;-)
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