International Joint & Dual Degrees: Strategies for Success NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo Boston, MA May 27, 2015
Session Overview Introductions Moderated discussion Joint and dual degree activity Strategic planning Key academic & administrative challenges Credit transfer Enrollment Emerging trends and models Q&A
Panelists Dale LaFleur Director of Institutional Relations Office of Global Initiatives University of Arizona Brian Stiegler Assistant Provost for International Education Salisbury University Robin Matross Helms Associate Director for Research American Council on Education
American Council on Education (ACE) Mission and Goals Umbrella organization Leadership & advocacy National & international mission Membership Approximately1800 institutions All sectors of U.S. higher education
ACE Center for Internationalization & Global Engagement (CIGE) Programs Internationalization of US Institutions Global Engagement Research
Topic #1: Joint & Dual Degree Activity Mapping International Joint & Dual Degrees: U.S. Program Profiles & Perspectives Download from the CIGE website: www.acenet.edu/cige
Study Overview Follow-on to Mapping Internationalization on US Campuses 2012 Survey sent to US institutions in January 2014 Qualitative follow-up with key informants Case examples to complement data
Respondents Institution-level data: 134 institutions Program-level data: 89 institutions, 193 programs
Geography Top five partner countries: China, France, Turkey, Germany, South Korea Concentration in Europe and Asia
What we used: Definitions Joint degree program: A degree program that is designed and delivered by two or more partner institutions in different countries. A student receives a single qualification endorsed by each institution. Dual degree program: A degree program that is designed and delivered by two or more partner institutions in different countries. A student receives a qualification from each of the partner institutions. Such programs are also referred to as double degrees. But it s complicated Same degree level, or different? Same field, or different? Various mobility configurations (1+2+1 )
Topic #1: Joint & Dual Degree Activity Questions: Your institution s programs Joint versus dual?
Land grant, Research I institution in Arizona 1 - joint doctoral degree program with a German partner (German Studies) 21 - graduate level dual degree programs with partners in 12 different countries (Law, Pharmacy, MIS, Engineering) 4 individually focused graduate dual degrees with partners in 3 different countries (Engineering, Geography, Sociology) 6 - international undergraduate transfer articulation agreements with partners in 2 different countries (Law, Engineering, Public Health)
Salisbury University University system of Maryland Mid-sized comprehensive public regional 3+1 dual degree (incoming non-us students) Chinese partner university BA English majors in China BA Interdisciplinary Studies majors in USA 2+1+1 dual degree (outgoing US students) French partner university Bachelors in International Business (BIB) in France BS International Business in USA
Topic #2: Strategic Planning Nearly half (47%) of institutions mention JDDP s in strategic planning documents
BUT: Topic #2: Strategic Planning 15% have a specific policy to encourage joint degrees 18% have policy to encourage dual degrees Informal understanding in some cases
Topic #2: Strategic Planning Questions: Role of joint & dual degrees in institutional strategy In internationalization strategy in particular? Role of institutional leaders E.g. How to bridge broad support and practical implementation
Topic #3: Key Issues & Challenges Administrative Issues Academic Issues.
Topic #3: Key Issues & Challenges Questions MOST challenging issue Academic Administrative Recommendations for how to manage
Topic #4: Credit Transfer Dual degrees can very easily become mere credential inflation, resulting in two students who did very similar work having very different credentials: one has one diploma and another who really did nothing that different, has two. This can lead to erosion of the brand and reputation of both institutions, and can lead to a loss of meaning of the degree. If I can get two degrees for the price of one, are these degrees worth much? --James Paul Holloway, Vice Provost for Global & Engaged Education, University of Michigan
Topic #4: Credit Transfer Questions Is double-counting and credential inflation a problem? How does credit transfer work in your programs?
Topic #5: Enrollment Enrollment is heavily skewed towards non-u.s. students Program Enrollment 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 72% 70% 63% 54% 44% 34% 24% 22% 9% 2% 3% 4% U.S. students Non-U.S. students Mix of both Doctoral Masters Baccalaureate Total
Topic #5: Enrollment Questions Is the non-us enrollment skew problematic? What can be done to enhance reciprocity?
Topic #6: Emerging Trends & Models Managing many programs Multilateral programs Academic focus Business, law, engineering, health Interdisciplinary programs Graduate programs
Topic #6: Emerging Trends & Models Questions What do YOU think is on the horizon for joint and dual degree programs? What is your ONE most critical piece of advice?
Questions?
Additional Resource International Briefs for Higher Education Leaders Spring 2015 edition on joint and dual degrees PDF available on ACE website Webinar recording also available
Thank you! Dale LaFleur dlafleur@email.arizona.edu Brian Stiegler bnstiegler@salisbury.edu Robin Matross Helms rhelms@acenet.edu