International agreements can contain multiple arrangements. For example, an agreement could include the exchange a certain number of graduate students and provide for the exchange of faculty, or a general Memorandum of Understanding could define a collaborative research arrangement.
There are many types of agreements. We've included samples of the most common below. Please contact Global Carolina at globalcarolina@sc.edu if you're interested in pursuing an international agreement.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
This agreement between the university and another university or organization establishes an institutional relationship to pursue joint initiatives or general collaboration in research, exchange of information and student/scholar mobility.
MOUs provide a general agreement of cooperation and typically specify the scope of
possible collaborative activities between the parties without a promise of any particular
resources. An MOU should spawn subsequent agreements specifying detailed activities.
Additional agreements within the scope of the MOU may be signed as an addendum to
the MOU or as a separate standalone agreement.
Research Affiliation
This is an agreement to support research collaboration in a particular area or areas. A research affiliation agreement is needed when university resources are being committed to the research collaboration. A research affiliation agreement should define intellectual property rights for all work products resulting from the collaboration as outlined in university policy ACAF 1.33 Intellectual Property Policy. A research affiliation agreement also is needed if the research collaboration involves student mobility in either direction.
From the university’s perspective, there is no need to develop a research affiliation
agreement if there is no commitment of university resources to the research collaboration
and no commitment of student mobility. However, even in those cases a research affiliation
agreement might be needed if required by the foreign institution or to be able to
able for research grant funding.
Academic Joint and Dual Degree Programs
This is an agreement to offer a joint or dual degree with another institution. New and modified academic programs offered in conjunction with an international institution must follow the approval process outlined in university policy ACAF 2.06 International Academic Agreements as well as the approval process outlined in university policy ACAF 2.00 Creation and Revision of Academic Programs. ACAF 2.00 requires, for example, that a new dual degree program at the graduate level be approved by the Graduate Council and at the undergraduate level by the Faculty Senate.
Joint Degree Program: an arrangement in which one diploma is issued representing both institutions. The academic program is offered jointly by both institutions. Depending on the program, notification and/or approval is required from CHE and/or SACS. The university does not currently offer any joint degree programs with international partners.
Dual Degree Program: an agreement in which the two institutions involved each awards a separate degree to the student. Essentially, the student works to complete coursework at both institutions, and through a series of approved credit transfers, fulfills the requirements of each institution’s degree.
Sample Dual Degree PhD Program Agreement [doc]
Other Collaborative Degree Programs
Programs governed by specific agreements typically involving an articulated transfer of credit from one institution to another for the award of a single or multiple degrees. May also include bridge programs that involve non-credit study prior to course work for academic credit.
An articulated transfer of credit agreement can result in what is referred to as a
“plus” program, in which a student completes some coursework at one institution (typically
either one or two years’ worth of credit), then transfers that credit to the second
institution. The second institution has previously established course equivalencies
for this coursework, and accepts the associated credit. The student completes the
remainder of the coursework at the second institution, thereby earning a degree from
the second institution. “Plus” programs may also be referred to as “1+3” or “2+2”
programs.
Student Exchange
This is an agreement between the university and another institution to allow mutually acceptable students from one institution to take classes for credit at the partnering institution. In a reciprocal exchange, students will continue to pay tuition to the home institution in most cases. In other types of affiliations, the student will pay tuition and other fees to the host institution.
Reciprocal student exchange agreements provide for the exchange of enrolled students on a one-for-one basis by level (undergraduate or graduate) typically for one or two semesters. The outgoing USC student pays tuition to USC that is then awarded to the incoming international student. The USC student enrolls at the partner institution without paying additional tuition there. Reciprocal exchange agreements must have balance in numbers to be sustainable. Because the USC tuition rate for graduate courses is higher than for undergraduate courses, it is not possible to exchange a USC undergraduate student for an international graduate student on a one-for-one basis.
Reciprocal student exchange agreements must be developed in close collaboration with and are monitored for risk and sustainability by the Study Abroad Office.
Sample Undergraduate Exchange Agreement [doc]
Sample Graduate Exchange Agreement [doc]
Faculty Exchange
This is an agreement between the university and another institution to exchange faculty for the purpose of teaching or research at the partner institution. From the university’s perspective, there is no need to develop a faculty exchange agreement if there is no commitment of university resources. However, an agreement is useful in establishing a formal relationship with the partner institution and can assist in the sustainability of the exchange over time.