Joint or Dual Degree Programs

Collaborative academic agreements are subject to the SACSCOC Agreements Involving Joint and Dual Academic Awards Policy and Procedures, and some may require prior approval as detailed in the SACSCOC Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. If the arrangement involves international agreements, please also refer to the UT Dallas International Center's Initiating Agreements.

These academic agreements foster international collaboration between faculty, scholars, and students at UT Dallas and international institutions.

Note: The joint or dual degree programs refer to a UT Dallas degree and a degree with another external institution. UT Dallas schools / programs may develop internal double majors or double degrees as outlined in Develop Internal Double Majors / Double Degrees with a different review/approval process.

For assistance in completing or submitting any of these forms, please contact Dr. Serenity Rose King, Associate Provost for Policy and Program Coordination (Mail Station AD42, 972.883.6749).

• Dual Degree Program Agreements (DDPA) – Agreements between UT Dallas and International Institutions

  The Dual Degree Program Agreement (DDPA) is an official academic agreement between UT Dallas and an international institution to establish an academic structure and apply shared coursework for a particular group of students to earn dual degrees at the undergraduate or the master's level.

  The DDPA outlines in detail the academic program the particular group of students will follow and the terms of the partnership. The DDPA requires the transfer of credits from a home institution's existing degree program to a host institution's existing degree program. When students meet graduation requirements, each institution grants a separate diploma bearing only its name, seal, and signature. Therefore, students will receive dual diplomas for their degrees, one from UT Dallas and another one from the international institution.

  To propose a DDPA, an individual faculty member must complete and submit the International Partnership Request form to the International Partnership Development (IPD). IPD and the faculty member will collaborate to create the letter of intent, fact sheet, and course articulations (if applicable). The proposed paperwork should be forwarded to the school program head or school faculty head for program or school faculty approval; the faculty member should also obtain the School Dean’s approval. Once all program approvals are received, IPD on the behalf of the faculty member submits the proposed paperwork to the International Education Development Committee (IEDC) who will consider the request at its next scheduled meeting. Once approved by IEDC, the faculty member will then work with IPD and the partner institution on the agreement; IPD will route the finalized partnership agreement to IEDC for approval.

  Upon review and approval, the IEDC certifies that the finalized partnership agreement (DDPA) conforms to the University’s established policies and practices, including the University’s Policy on Procedures for Completing a Graduate Degree – UTDPP1052 (for the master’s level program) and the Substantive Change Policy - UTDPP1094.

  Upon authorization from the IEDC, IPD will then route the finalized DDPA to the Council for Undergraduate Education or to Graduate Council to begin UT Dallas' internal governance approval process prior to the external review and approval process. Upon Academic Senate approval, the IPD will route it to the Provost's Office for final institutional authorization. The Associate Provost for Policy and Program Coordination will submit the completed DDPA paperwork to SACSCOC. The dual academic program is not official until the University receives approval from SACSCOC, which typically takes six or more months.

  Approval Process

  Internal Review

  1. Submit the International Partnership Request form to the International Partnership Development (IPD).
  2. After working with IPD, the faculty member will submit the proposed paperwork: the letter of intent, fact sheet, and course articulations (if applicable), to the school program and/or school faculty head.^[1]
  3. Evidence of vote/approval by program and/or school faculty and endorsement/approval from the School Dean.^[2]
  4. Submit the proposed paperwork to the International Partnership Development (IPD).
  5. IPD routes the proposed paperwork to the International Education Development Committee (IEDC).
  6. Upon approval from IEDC, the faculty member works with IPD and the partner institution on the agreement.
  7. IPD will route the finalized partnership agreement, the DDPA, to IEDC.
  8. IEDC will review and approve the finalized DDPA.
  9. Upon IEDC authorization, IPD will route the approved DDPA to Council for Undergraduate Education (CUE) or to Graduate Council.
  10. CUE or Graduate Council approval
  11. Committee on Educational Policy approval
  12. Academic Council/Senate approval
  13. IPD will route the finalized DDPA to the Provost’s Office for final institutional authorization through the Associate Provost for Policy and Program Coordination (serenity.king@utdallas.edu).
  14. The Office of Programs, Accreditation, and Assessment (OPAA) within the Provost's Office prepares a formal letter for SACSCOC and submits it along with the finalized DDPA to the President's Office.
  15. President reviews and signs the formal letter then returns paperwork to OPAA.
  16. OPAA submits paperwork to SACSCOC.

  External Review

  1. SACSCOC approval per substantive change policy
• New Cotutelle Agreements (International Joint or Dual Doctoral Program for Doctoral Students)

  Cotutelle Agreements allow UT Dallas students who pursue doctoral training at international universities to be exposed to different labs and to diversity in their training, as well as the opportunity for international study. Hence, the Graduate Council, the Committee on Educational Policy, the Academic Senate, and the University Administration approve UT Dallas' participation in Cotutelle Agreements. For this reason, the Cotutelle Agreements do not need to undergo UT Dallas' internal governance process for approval and do not need prior approval from SACSCOC in accordance with its substantive change policy.

  Cotutelle Agreements are official dual degree program agreements between UT Dallas and a specific international university for the doctoral student. These agreements allow the doctoral student to be jointly supervised by a UT Dallas faculty member and a faculty member at a specified international university. The Cotutelle Agreement outlines in detail the academic program the doctoral student will follow and the terms of the partnership.

  To propose a Cotutelle Agreement, an individual faculty member must complete and submit the International Partnership Request form to the International Partnership Development (IPD). IPD and the faculty member will collaborate to create the letter of intent, fact sheet, and course articulations (if applicable) and submit the paperwork to his or her program head or school faculty head for program / school faculty approval, including the School Dean’s approval. Once all program approvals are received, the International Partnership Development (IPD) on the behalf of the faculty member will forward the proposed Cotutelle Agreement paperwork to the International Education Development Committee (IEDC), which will consider the request at its next scheduled meeting. Once approved by the IEDC, the faculty member will then work with IPD and the partner institution on the Cotutelle agreement; IPD will route the finalized Cotutelle Agreement to IEDC for approval.

  Upon authorization from the IEDC, IPD will route the finalized Cotutelle Agreement to the Provost's Office for final institutional authorization.

  The program head and the School Dean certify with their approval that the Cotutelle Agreement is in compliance with all university policies and procedures, including the Policy on Procedures for Completing a Graduate Degree – UTDPP1052 and the University Policies Related to Graduate Assistants, Student Teaching Assistants, Teaching Associates, and Student Research Assistants – UTDPP1075. The IEDC certifies that the terms of the Cotutelle Agreement conform to established practices and that the agreement is appropriate for university signatures.

  Approval Process

  Internal Review

  1. Submit the completed International Partnership Request form to the International Partnership Development (IPD).
  2. After working with IPD, the faculty member will submit the proposed paperwork: the letter of intent, fact sheet, and course articulations (if applicable) to the school program and/or school faculty head.^[1]
  3. Evidence of vote/approval by program and/or school faculty and endorsement/approval from the School Dean.^[2]
  4. Submit the paperwork to the International Partnership Development (IPD) who will route the proposed request to IEDC.
  5. Upon approval from IEDC, the faculty member works with IPD and the partner institution on the Cotutelle agreement.
  6. IPD will route the finalized Cotutelle agreement to IEDC for review and approval.
  7. Upon IEDC authorization, IPD will route the finalized Cotutelle Agreement to the Provost’s Office for final institutional authorization through the Associate Provost for Policy and Program Coordination (serenity.king@utdallas.edu).

1. Note: This may not be sequential because the School (program head and dean) may review and approve the agreement at once.
2. Pursuant to school's bylaws.