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[AdAstra]

I have an MSc in Biology, focused on environmental biology - which was lots of ecology, but also physics, chemistry, physiology, evolution, ecosystem management, plant sociology, ... followed-up by an MSc in Environmental Science - which was basically environmental law, economics, sociology, EIA, engineering.

I loved doing both, but the extra MSc didn't really help out career-wise. Or not yet, anyway. But I don't regret it. I loved university!

Also, your =/= you're :-)

 

[Canadave]

Incidentally, it's tough to vote in the poll, for me, as Canadian post-secondary education is set-up differently from the American system. I started at a university (degree-granting institution) and will soon be attending a college (diploma and certification-granting institution).

 

[ITL]

I always try to be precise. In any event, laziness is a far more effective behavioural sanction.

It certainly is for me!

And as for my qualifications - not much to report. Middling to bad grades at school, and a decent IT qualification many years later. That's it.

 

[donners22]

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Postgraduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

I really want to go back and do a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology - I'd done some of the units, but couldn't cope with being without an income any longer.


I love studying, and it's in my genes - my mother is going to do a degree when she retires!

 

[iguana_tonante]

Incidentally, it's tough to vote in the poll, for me, as Canadian post-secondary education is set-up differently from the American system.

I didn't notice the poll until now.

Being a furriner, I'm a bit confused about the terminology: the difference between college and university is fuzzy at best to me, for example. Also, here in Italy "technical institutes" are specialized high-schools which, in addition to general knowledge, give you work-related skills (ranging from mechanical stuff to accounting, depending on focus), and with a lesser emphasis on "academic" subjects like Latin, philosophy, advanced maths, etc. Lastly, I have no idea what "4 year or 2 year schools" means.

 

[KJbushway]

No, college and university are the same thing. But some who went to KSU or someone went to yale, might not vote just for university or just college.

2 to 4 year schools are like technicial schools but have a broader range of subjects, they are also schools people transfer from to go to major colleges or universities.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Ok, now can someone explain it again? I mean, someone else?

 

[KJbushway]

KSU= university(still a college but goes by a different name
Yale= is a college

4/2 year schools are transfer schools, they cover a broad range of subjects.

technicial institute just teach technicial programs like automotive, air conditionar specialist, etc. They usually don't go above an assoicate degree.

 

[boobatuba]

KSU= university(still a college but goes by a different name
Yale= is a college

4/2 year schools are transfer schools, they cover a broad range of subjects.

technicial institute just teach technicial programs like automotive, air conditionar specialist, etc. They usually don't go above an assoicate degree.

Yale is a college? Wow.

I'm not sure what he means by 4/2 year schools, either. I'll guess he means community colleges.

 

[Squiggy]

KSU= university(still a college but goes by a different name
Yale= is a college

http://www.yale.edu/

4/2 year schools are transfer schools, they cover a broad range of subjects.

Most colleges/universities are 4 year schools as they take on average 4 years (8 semesters) to earn a bachelor's degree. You could earn your degree in as much or as little time as you'd like.

technicial institute just teach technicial programs like automotive, air conditionar specialist, etc. They usually don't go above an assoicate degree.

I'm giving you three strikes on account of spelling.

 

[KJbushway]

Oops sorry. I was trying to think of a college quickly and yale sounded right.

Yes community college can be in place of 4/2 year.
My sister goes to a 4 year school but I will be going to a technicial school.

 

[boobatuba]

Oops sorry. I was trying to think of a college quickly and yale sounded right.

Yes community college can be in place of 4/2 year.
My sister goes to a 4 year school but I will be going to a technicial school.

A "4 year school" is a college or university. A community college isn't called a "4 year school" even though occasionally some 4-year-degrees are offered there. That's why people say "I'm transferring from a community college to a four-year institution."

Helpful link about the differences between community college and 4 year schools

 

[Spot's Meow]

Ok, now can someone explain it again? I mean, someone else?

College and university are often used interchangeably. To be precise, a four year school where you earn a Bachelor's degree would be called a university. A school where you earn an Associate's degree, which takes two years and is below a Bachelor's, is usually what they call a "community college." They are much cheaper and some may say not at a high level of quality compared to a large university. Many people spend two years taking classes at a community college and then transfer to a university for their last two years (this is because the first two years at university are general education classes and the last two years are focused specifically in your field of study). A technical school is unrelated to both of these and can last any number of years, and you will end up with a certificate in the industry you study (such as carpentry, heating and refrigeration, car mechanics, etc.).

The word college by itself is often used to refer to any of these schools. If I go to Yale I could say that, "I'm in college now, I go to a university." Being "in college" just refers to engaging in higher education in general.

 

[Squiggy]

It's different in British English as well.

 

[ITL]

It's different in British English as well.

Yep. As far as I'm aware (and I could be wrong), a university is generally composed of a number of colleges - as in King's College, Cambridge - but there can be stand-alone colleges as well. In any case, students consider it "going to uni" no matter where they go.

But as I say, I could be wrong. And I can't be arsed to Google it.

 

[Squiggy]

Don't you people-of-the-shire also use it as different parts of speech? Where we would say "I'm in college" regardless of the designation of the institution you would say "Right oh gubna...I'm in university I am...chip chip cheerio!"

 

[ITL]

Don't you people-of-the-shire also use it as different parts of speech? Where we would say "I'm in college" regardless of the designation of the institution you would say "Right oh gubna...I'm in university I am...chip chip cheerio!"

Using those exact words, no less. It's the law.

 

[iguana_tonante]

College and university are often used interchangeably. To be precise, a four year school where you earn a Bachelor's degree would be called a university. A school where you earn an Associate's degree, which takes two years and is below a Bachelor's, is usually what they call a "community college." They are much cheaper and some may say not at a high level of quality compared to a large university. Many people spend two years taking classes at a community college and then transfer to a university for their last two years (this is because the first two years at university are general education classes and the last two years are focused specifically in your field of study). A technical school is unrelated to both of these and can last any number of years, and you will end up with a certificate in the industry you study (such as carpentry, heating and refrigeration, car mechanics, etc.).

The word college by itself is often used to refer to any of these schools. If I go to Yale I could say that, "I'm in college now, I go to a university." Being "in college" just refers to engaging in higher education in general.

Thank you very much. That was very informative.

I have a smattering of knowledge how academic degrees work outside of Italy, but the naming conventions of the institutions were still fuzzy. Now it's much more clear.

 

[Canadave]

The word college by itself is often used to refer to any of these schools. If I go to Yale I could say that, "I'm in college now, I go to a university." Being "in college" just refers to engaging in higher education in general.

Yeah, whereas here if you say you're "in college" or "going to college," that specifically implies that you're going to an institution with very career-driven, often short (1, 2, or 3 year) programs, resulting in a diploma or certification. But if you're going to be getting a degree, we would always call that university.

 

[PurpleLady]

I have a BA in psychology and human services. People fascinate me at times, cause me soul wrenching misery at other times, but I do love helping people when I can. Sure there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but you learn to put aside the grumps and move on.