International Graduate Dual Degree Programs
Dual Degrees vs. Joint Degrees
Dual degree programs: students study at two or more institutions and upon completion of the program
receive a separate diploma from each of the participating institutions.
Joint degree programs: students study at two or more institutions and upon completion of the program
receive a single representing work completed at two or more institutions
For the purpose of this document, one of the partnering universities will be an international university
and ISU will currently focus on dual degree programs rather than joint programs.
Note: According to most studies the administrative burden for joint degrees is much higher than for dual
degrees. This is often partly due to accreditation.
Benefits & Challenges:
The Council of Graduate Schools saw the increased interest and importance of international
collaborations through dual and joint degree programs. As a result, they did a study on the status of
these types of programs. The results include:



Dual degree programs benefit students through increased research opportunities, cultural
perspectives and skills required for international projects;
Dual degree programs benefit faculty through increased research networks and access to new
knowledge, skills, and resources;
Dual degree programs benefit institutions through broadened research capabilities, enhanced
power to recruit talented students and faculty, and a more visible global profile;
Additional Information





Faculty traveling to the partnering university enhances the relationship between the
universities. It is further enhanced when research projects are shared.
Concerns about double credit for a single body of work: few domestic universities allow the
thesis/dissertation to be completed at the international university; there is no consensus in how
to deal with double credit and most universities developed their own unique stance.
The graduate deans/directors are the key to overcoming challenges for these programs.
Relationships often start in the department, but quickly involve the graduate school to usher the
program through the process. The graduate deans/directors provide technical and
administrative support, and coordinate units needed on campus (ie. OISP, accreditation, AVP)
It is important to develop a model that can be replicated for future collaborative programs.
Several universities set a policy that at least half of the credits earned must come from the
domestic university.
1|Page
Most Prevalent Challenges
Based on the challenges outlined by CGS (in order of prevalence within the study), the following are
prime considerations for inclusion within the MOU or the guidelines directing these programs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Ensuring program sustainability
Recruiting students
Negotiating/renegotiating the MOU
Securing adequate funding
Resolving differences in academic calendars
Deciding on the fee structure
Mentoring and advising
Resolving cultural issues
Resolving issues in degree requirements
Agreeing on credit transfer recognition
Resolving residency requirements on campus
Designing the curriculum
Resolving health insurance issues
Resolving language issues
Determining length of degree in each institution
Dual Degree Program Process and Requirements
Dual degree and joint degree programs must adhere to the following:
1. Before agreements are made with collaborating universities, discussion with the appropriate
degree program, Graduate School, Office of International Studies and Programs, representatives
from the Associate Provost’s Office, and any other interested parties must occur. These
discussions will outline the process that must be in place for this program to be established.
2. The ISU degree program needs to have already been authorized by IBHE OR an application will
need to be submitted by the academic unit for the program through internal and external
curriculum/program review processes (which could take 18-24 months to complete).
3. Because all dual and joint degree programs will be different, an individual agreement (MOU) for
each must be developed. A template for the program is listed below.
4. All dual degree and joint degree programs must have a signed agreement in place before
admitting any students into the program. The agreement must be signed by General Counsel
and other parties they designate. The agreement must also adhere to any accreditation
requirements under which the university operates.
5. Both partnering institutions must review each university’s curriculum to ensure that both have
comparable standards and educational outcomes. This may occur through review of course
content and degree requirements. Qualified and competent faculty members in each institution
must agree on the content and teaching methodologies of the courses covered, and on the
qualifications of the faculty who teach the courses.
6. Dual degree program students may receive the same degree from both institutions (eg. MA in
English) or two different, but related degrees (eg. MS in Public Policy & MS in Development).
2|Page
Commented [c1]: Should we indicate that the degree programs
should be on the same level? e.g., both master’s, both doctoral (if a
dual degree program on the doctoral level would even be feasible).
Some of the literature referred to 3+1 programs as dual degree as
well. Do we handle those separately?
7. Students must earn 40% or more of their credits through Illinois State University.
8. Transcripts will identify both universities from which a degree was received. Follow-up with Jess
Ray on this.
9. The requirements and administration of the capstone project (ie. Thesis, other research project)
must be outlined in the MOU including where the project will be completed and which
university faculty will direct it.
10. When available, the partnering international university will provide evidence of institutional
quality such as accreditation recognition.
11. Exceptions to the guidelines outlined above will be reviewed and approved/denied by the
Graduate School.
MOU Checklist
Value:
1. Establish value of the collaboration
2. Outline the rationale
3. Describe the potential for development of the collaboration across other departments,
programs, schools
4. Describe the potential of the proposed project to complement existing programs or to enhance
areas of priority for the university.
Planning:
5. Articulate concrete outcomes or actions that will result from the collaboration
6. Summarize planning and communication activities that have already taken place between
partners
7. Define the program structure including title of program, degrees, certifications; duration of the
program & MOU; accreditation status
8. Define terms that may be interpreted differently (ie. Units/credits, academic year, full time
status)
Legal Issues:
9. Basic legal requirements for student mobility
10. Define legal rights and liabilities of universities in relation to the program and its intellectual and
material outcomes
11. Establish which institutional rules and policies apply to students
Admissions:
12. Establish equivalencies for units or credit awarded by partner institutions
13. Establish academic criteria for student participation
Curriculum:
14. Describe modes and mechanisms of delivering program content including language of
instruction, curriculum, research requirements
3|Page
Commented [c2]: The review of lit showed anywhere from 1/3over 50%. U of FL required 1/3, and U of NE-Omaha require 50%.
The specific universities in the review of lit were not identified.
15. Describe graduation requirements and mechanisms for awarding credit and certifying student
work
Resources & Planning:
16. Outline the funding structure for the collaboration
17. Establish terms and resources for student advising and support
18. Establish student responsibilities and expenses
Assessment & Review:
19. Establish benchmarks for program success
20. Describe the mechanism and timeline for program evaluation
21. Define period within which the MOU may be renewed or terminated with mutual consent of
institutions
22. For agreements of indefinite length, describe university policy on inactive agreements
Source: CGS, Joint Degrees, Dual Degrees, and International research Collaborations: A Report on the
CGS Graduate International Collaborations Project (2010)
4|Page