The purpose of this study is to analyze the higher education policies on specialization of universities and colleges in the United States in terms of its purposes and directions, and development strategies by the specialization models, and to provide policy implications on the higher education policies in Korea. The higher education specialization policies in the U.S. were analyzed based on 3 models. First, the government-lead specialization policy is mainly for responding local community demand and for cultivating high skilled human resources in the states. Second, universities have developed and adopted the voluntary specialization policy to survive in the competitive environment, and to pursue their strategic goals. Third, the government-university collaboration specialization policy indicates that government provides efficient higher education system through state's long-term master plan, and universities make every effort to their growth and development based on their own governing system. The results of this case study suggest that government should make clear purposes of and directions on the specialization policies, more focus on the practical aspects of the policies, and develop long-term and comprehensive plans. For universities, strong leadership and collaboration among the university communities are needed.