tomjrobertson - As I understand it you can't do a course of study in the US under the visa waiver programme - I assume that's what you mean when you refer to a tourist visa? As CAT3C said, you need an M-1.
To be sure check
this which is a link to the US embassy non-immigrant visa site. Also contact your school in the US who will first have to issue you with an I20 form that says you're eligible for a visa.
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