Dual Degrees with U.S. Universities: Why Not, Why, and How
Dual Degrees with U.S. Universities:Why Not, Why, and How
Why so few historically?
Organic collaboration is generally based on individual faculty interest.
Dual degree requires a whole department, and often several university-wide committees.
Curriculum is the domain of individual units.
Getting two universities to agree?
2
Historic lack (continued…)
Confusion between “joint” and “dual” degrees and their requirements.
Joint degrees may involve significant governance or accreditation issues.
Concern about achieving two degrees in same time.
Sometimes earning double majors is difficult.
3
Historic lack (continued…)
Individual projects are usually interest-based and resource-based, with no
“accreditation” issue.
Degree or programs frequently bear or create accreditation issues.
Fear of “losing control” of degree quality.
Defending changes to another.
4
Why the emerging U.S. interest?
Traditional exchange models severely challenged
•U.S. tuition differentials
•Balance requirements
•U.S. undergraduate mobility issues
5
Evolving US position re Thesis/Dissertation
Natural evolution as research has become more interdisciplinary and collaborative.
Single-author study is no longer the only accepted model.
Students working together in labs can submit shared dissertations/papers with unique contributions identified.
6
Evolving US position (continued…)
Special members from other universities already serve on student committees
One thesis/dissertation for two degrees justified IF student clearly identifies the unique contribution to each degree, and IF the work has sufficient breadth for both degrees
7
Why Dual Degrees Specifically?
“Joint” are much more complex
•Additional accreditation issues
•“Dual” is simply a reciprocal transfer agreement
8
Rise of Community College system made “Transfer” Common
9
AND Dual can help address:
Integrated international experience
International credential (both ways)
Shared or complementary access to equipment, courses, faculty
Develop long-term collaborations
Take advantage of grant programs (e.g., FIPSE/Atlantis, PIRE)
10
BUT there ARE Challenges:
General education (especially baccalaureate)
Supervision of thesis (post-grad)
Expense – tuition, fees, cost-of-living
Possible accreditation issues
Satisfactory progress timelines
Converting class time, courses, credits
11
Definitions from Hardest to Easiest
1. Joint DEGREES
2. Joint PROGRAMS
3. Dual Degrees
Formal programs
Individual students
4. Certificates
12
What are Joint Versus Dual Degrees?
Joint
Unified curriculumTwo universitiesSingle diplomaLikely dual accreditation neededPode ser aposentado?
Dual
Two degrees Variations on
advising arrangements
Two or more universities
Generally more flexible
13
Dual Degrees
Similar to other degrees (e.g., international consortia, domestic multi-university collaborations, dual programs within a single university, standard single-program degrees)
Generally don’t need a separate model – conceptually and structurally similar to transfer agreements
Implemented using existing policies and practices
14
Why existing policies for new model?
Each university is only offering their own degree
If degree already exists, may not need as much regulatory approval: may not need HLC approval (in U.S.)
Note: USUALLY MUST allow more transfer credit
Note: ADVISABLE to avoid doing year 1 here, year 2 there, year 3 here, etc., as may require new documents each time (Choice of J versus F very important)
15
Issues to Consider: Internal Governance
Who needs to be at the table?
Are all the processes in place and clear?
Who is the best person/entity to move the program?
Should grants drive programs or should programs drive grants?
Visas
Tuition, fees, expenses
16
Issues to Consider: PartnersFamiliarityFaculty (curriculum strengths and research interests)Facilities, location and complementarityTuition and feesValue addedExchange or other agreement in place?If exchange, is it active? Balanced?Administrative infrastructureEXPECTATIONS
17
Issues to Consider: University/College Policies
Transfer credit limits
Admission timelines and flexibility
Special admissional review
Thesis/dissertation supervision
Quality assurance issuesGraduate faculty appointmentsProgram approval, review processes, sunset provisions
•Financial support•Transcript and diploma issues
18
Issues to Consider: Financial
Is direct exchange the best vehicle?
Will the exchange stay balanced?
•Are assistantships available?
•Are scholarships necessary to seed or sustain the
program?
•Are any new courses required?
•STUDENT COST BURDENS
19
Issues to Consider:
Graduate students
Are three-year OR incomplete degrees accepted?
Are different timelines acceptable?Are students prepared for a different approach to graduate education?
Undergraduate students
How much progress is acceptable?
Conversion of ECTS or other to credit hours.
20
Pitfalls and opportunities
COURSE GAPS? Consider availability of faculty to visit to teach or do research and interact with the students throughout the program. Project work. Distance may be a partial solution.
LANGUAGE? Both universities likely have accelerated language programs. May be an additional venue for collaboration?
21
Challenges to Delivering Content Abroad: New US Regulations Affecting Accreditation
IF:
Five or more courses per year will be offered at an international site
THEN:Requires Higher Learning Commission approval!
This can add MONTHS to the approval process, and a site visit
22
Core Principles
Seek broad and flexible solutions
Leave no student uncounted (or miscounted)
Keep things in the open on BOTH sidesBeware of hidden costs
Maintain quality control for degrees
Communicate regarding curriculum and processes
Don’t be a slave to process
23
Rice University’s Graduate Double and Joint Degree Proposals Screening Process*
*From the Institute of International Education Report: A Process for Screening and Authorizing Joint and Double Degree Programs by Arnaud Chevallier, Rice University, May 2013.
Flowchart for Creating a Undergraduate Dual Degree
Flowchart for Creating a Graduate Dual Degree
Outline Proposed Program and Complete Proposal Form
Qualify Partner Institution
International Student Programs and Services
Review Immigration Requirements
Review Proposal for Admissions Criteria
Department and Graduate College
Prepare Agreement
Review and Negotiate Terms of Agreement
Once Approved Route for Signature
Department and Graduate College
Department and Partner Institution
Graduate College, Department and Global Initiatives
Graduate College, Department,
Global Initiatives, and Partner Institution
Graduate College, Department and Global Initiatives
Note: Responsible Unit in Red
27
Convene “Drivers” Skype? Live?
Exchange Curricula
Appropriate Faculty Review
3 Months…
Or 3 Years?
1 month
1 month
1 year
1 year
28
Example 1: Individual Dual Degree Students with
the University of Rennes, France
29
Motivation: Academic28 Co-Authored Peer Reviewed Publications
30
Motivation: Educational
• International Dual Ph.D. Exposition to foreign culture and environment Acquire greater breadth of skills and techniques Two diplomas
• Balance Gender and Nationality
• NSF-Materials World Network: $360,000; 08/01/15-07/31/08; Synthesis, characterization and physical properties of IR glass-ceramics with new functionalities
• NSF-Materials World Network: $378,000; 07/01/08-06/30/11; Infrared Glass and Glass-ceramics with New Optical and Mechanical Functionalities
• Partner University Fund: $232,800; 07/01/11-06/30/14; Advanced Materials for Energy and Optics
31
Motivation: International Research Grants
• French Ph.D. no classes, 3-year limit. UA requires 90 credits (virtually impossible in 3 years).
Solution: Transfer credits from European Master (LMD), with class equivalency approved by department. European students can thus acquire enough credits in 3 semesters.
32
Challenges: Requirements and Timelines
• Registration and tuitions problematic if U.S. high. Register in both institutions simultaneously? Solution: For many countries public tuitions are
negligible, therefore agree tuition must be paid in only one institute. UA “requires” tuition payments but allows “leave of absence” while students are abroad (no payment needed).
Examine ALL funding sources (sponsorships, aid, assistantships, research, philanthropy, industry)
33
Challenges: Registration and Tuition
• Quite different but many countries allow single Ph.D. defense for a dual degree. Solution: Place of defense must be
predefined. Technology and teleconferencing if
committee composition can be reduced. Students are usually favorable about
having two defenses if arrangement can be reached.
34
Challenge: Ph.D. Defense Requirements
35
Example 2: Dual Degree MS Program with City
University of Hong Kong
• CityU, a major research university with one of the best-known Information Systems programs in Asia
• UA MIS, a nationally-ranked (5th by U.S. News & World
Report) program, housing a world-class faculty and high-impact funded research
projects
36
Motivation: Brand
37
Overall Dual-Program Design
CityU
•CityU M.Sc in Business Information Systems •CityU M.Sc in Electronic Business and Knowledge Mgmt
UA•UA MS in MIS•Face-to-face class meetings in Tucson, Arizona: late May – late
August•Financial IT and MS Projects in either Hong Kong or mainland
China, coordinated remotely
• All academic requirements exactly the same as those of the existing UA MIS MS program 32 credits needed for graduation
• Twelve credits will be transferred from the CityU program and the remaining 20 credits will be earned through courses offered in or from Tucson, Arizona, U.S., from late May – late August (two project courses will continue on until mid November)
38
Challenge: Credits
Students return to Hong Kong/mainland China to pursue internship/employment opportunities
Finish two last project courses part-time Respective instructors advise and monitor progress
remotely Class project opportunities available from several
Hong Kong-based investment houses through UA MIS coordination
39
Challenge: Program Alignment withHong Kong Project Requirements
• The estimated total tuition and fees per student will be US $800 * 20 = US $17,600
• Travel and living costs (estimate) Travel between Hong Kong and Tucson US $1,300 Apartment in Tucson (2 students sharing one room)
US $2,500 (UA MIS will make the arrangements) Meals US $1,700 Miscellaneous US $800 Total US $6,300 +$17600 = $23,900
40
Challenge: Cost
41
Example 3: College of Law
Also: Graduate Certificates
Credit-bearing graduate courses that constitute a coherent body of knowledge
To qualify for F-1 visa, students must be able to take at least 9 credits (full-time status) in their first semester Certificates are usually 12-15 credits, rarely all available in one semester, so must be flexibleProject work or “deliver at home and transfer” may be an optionAll courses should apply to masters or PhDOnline may be part of solution
42
Opportunities:
“Reciprocal transfer”
Accelerated degrees
Graduate degrees and certificates
ABET-like accreditation
“Collaboration built from scratch”
Long-term engagement
Faculty connecting more broadly than research
alone43
Future Trends
Learning outcomes assessment
Project-based curriculum
Faculty collaboration
Consortia
44
Conclusion – Essentials!
FLEXIBILITY
Willingness to do things differently
Look to partner for ideas
ASK. There’s usually a way to accomplish your goal
DESIRE a clear outcome
MANAGE the TIMELINES
45