POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR DUAL MASTER S AND JOINT PH.D. DEGREE PROGRAMS

Transcription

1 Graduate Council Document 13-8a Approved by the Graduate Council on March 21, 2013 POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR DUAL MASTER S AND JOINT PH.D. DEGREE PROGRAMS Members of the Task Force: Agriculture -- Janna Beckerman, Botany & Plant Pathology Education -- Chrystal Johnson, Curriculum & Instruction Engineering -- Daniel Elliott, Electrical & Computer Engineering Engineering Administration -- Audeen Fentiman Health & Human Sciences -- Nancy Edwards, Nursing Liberal Arts -- Stacey Connaughton, Communication, Chair of Task Force Liberal Arts Administration -- Song No Management -- Greg Hundley, Management Pharmacy -- Bob Geahlen, Pharmacy Science -- Jun Xie, Statistics Technology -- Kathy Newton, Technology Leadership & Innovation Veterinary Medicine -- Ourania Andrisani, Basic Medical Sciences Regional Campuses: Calumet: Campus Administrator -- Joy Colwell, OLS North Central: Campus Administrator -- Kumara Jayasuriya, Math Fort Wayne: Campus Administrator -- George Mourad, Biology IUPUI: Campus Administrator -- Razi Nalim, Mechanical Engineering IUPUI (Representative for R. Nalim) Sohel Anwar, Mechanical Engineering Office of the Provost -- Nancy Bulger Office of the VP for Research -- Peter Dunn Office of International Programs -- David Ayers The Graduate School -- Phillip Pope (ex-officio) Summer Sub-Committee Members to Develop Policies and Guidelines: Agriculture -- Janna Beckerman. Botany & Plant Pathology Engineering Administration -- Audeen Fentiman Liberal Arts -- Stacey Connaughton, Communication, Chair of Task Force Office of International Programs -- David Ayers Calumet: Campus Administrator -- Joy Colwell, OLS The Graduate School -- Phillip Pope (ex-officio)

2 1 Policy and Procedures, Joint PhD Degrees & Dual Masters Degrees March 2013 Preamble. Purdue University will only enter into joint degree programs and dual degree programs with the highest quality programs and institutions based on recognized world and regional rankings. Joint and dual degree programs must provide additional value above and beyond that which Purdue graduate students would obtain through a Purdue doctoral or masters degree alone. Proposals for joint and dual degrees should present a strong case for why such a degree should exist and must explain the learning outcomes graduate students will achieve from these degrees that they could not achieve otherwise. Proposers are strongly encouraged to partner with programs in institutions that are at or above Purdue University s ranking (see sections III C and VI C). Joint and dual degrees will have two features: Courses will be shared and curricula will be integrated. For degrees with research components, research will be done collaboratively across departments/schools and institutions. Purdue University-West Lafayette may offer dual and joint degree programs. Purdue system-wide programs (Purdue University-Calumet, Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort-Wayne, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue University North-Central, and Purdue University-West Lafayette) may offer dual degree programs. JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS I. Definition of a Joint Degree A joint degree program is defined as one that awards one diploma displaying the seals and/or names of each partner institution, (CIC Global Collaborations Executive Brief, September 2011). This joint degree program policy and procedures document governs joint degree programs between a department or School at Purdue University-West Lafayette and another institution of higher education. Joint degree programs award degrees at the PhD level. As the process matures, the Graduate Council may consider other kinds of degree combinations. Joint degree programs may be between a Purdue University-West Lafayette department/school and either (a) a department/school in a U.S. institution of higher education or (b) a department/school in an international institution of higher education. II. Proposal Review Process Purdue University-West Lafayette departments or Schools seeking to propose a joint degree with another institution of higher education should follow the following sequence. First, departments seeking a joint degree with another institution will submit a concept paper to the Dean of the Graduate School. The concept paper should include a description of the

3 2 proposed joint degree program and the proposed program s quality (The Graduate School will provide a template). Proposers will receive feedback within approximately one month. Departments may then be invited to submit full proposals (following the format detailed in Section III of this document). Concept papers and full proposals will be reviewed by a committee of six individuals, all from the West Lafayette campus. Individuals comprising the committee will be selected based on the contents of the concept paper. The committee will include: (a) a non-voting member from the Graduate School, (b) the Chair of the relevant Graduate Council Area Committee, (c) two graduate faculty members who are knowledgeable in the area, and (d) two administrators who are members of the Graduate Faculty (such as Associate Deans of Graduate Education) and who are not directly linked to the proposal. The Area Committee Chair will oversee the review process; the members of the graduate faculty will provide subject matter expertise; the administrators will consider academic and administrative issues. The committee will be constituted by the Graduate School once the concept paper is received. Full proposals will be reviewed normally within one month of receipt. This committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School. For programs that involve international partners, the Dean of the Graduate School will consult with the Dean of International Programs. The Dean of the Graduate School will then make a recommendation to the Provost. Proposers are encouraged to submit concept papers and full proposals to the Graduate School during the Fall or Spring semesters, consistent with agreed upon academic timelines of each institution. Concept papers and full proposals submitted during the summer terms may not be reviewed until the Fall semester begins. III. Format for Joint Degree Program Proposals Prior to the development of a formalized joint degree program proposal, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be produced, indicating a good faith intention to proceed, between Purdue University and the partner institution in accordance with existing institutional protocols, signed by the department head/chair, academic dean and provost. Details on LOAs can be found at: Proposals should include: A. Cover Page 1. Name of Purdue Department Submitting the Proposal (include College/School) 2. Name of Proposed Partnering Department/Institution 3. Title of Proposed Joint Degree 4. Anticipated Start Date 5. Signatures of Department Heads, Deans of Colleges/Schools from both Departments/Institutions, with lines to include the date signed.

4 3 6. Date 7. Signature lines for the Dean of the Graduate School and for the Provost, with lines to include the dates signed. B. Abstract (1 page) 1. Program Summary & Objectives C. Program Justification, Curriculum, and Impact 1. Justification a. Market Analysis. This section should include an assessment of (a) Current and future demand for students completing the proposed discipline specific degree program; (b) Anticipated number of students completing the proposed joint degree program annually; (c) Other institutions offering the same or similar degree program; (d) Unique features of the proposed joint degree program; and (e) Alignment of the proposed joint degree program with mission and strengths of Purdue University. b. Ranking and Reputation of Partnering Institution/Department. Purdue departments/schools should provide rankings (international and/or national) of the department and institution with which they seek to partner, and interpret what the rankings mean. The following rankings and reputational data will be considered and should be included: (a) international ranking, (b) ranking in geographical area of study, (c) ranking within country, and (d) reputation of the program within the discipline or field of study. Please list sources for all rankings and reputational data provided. c. Statements from both departments that their faculties endorse the proposal d. An explanation of any dissenting opinions among faculty 2. Proposed Curriculum 1. Coursework requirements for the program. 2. What fraction of the courses needs to be taken at each university? 3. How much time will the student spend on each campus? Each student seeking a joint degree must develop a plan of study for coursework and a plan of work for research early in the program. The plan of study must include: a. A list of the courses to be taken from both institutions. b. A statement and explanation of how many courses will be taken from each institution. Both departments/schools must endorse this statement.

5 4 c. All members of the Advisory Committee at both institutions must agree to the plan of study. The plan of work must include: a. An explanation of the general direction of the graduate student s research. b. A general timetable of (a) when the student will complete the proposal for the research to be conducted; (b) when the student s coursework is expected to be completed; (c) when the student will become a candidate; and (d) how often the committee will meet. An explanation of when the student becomes a candidate, as agreed upon by the two departments, should be included. c. An outline of the approvals needed from each institution. The Plan of Study and Plan of Work must be agreed upon by the participating faculty at both institutions and the graduate student at the beginning of the student s program. A written document should be signed by all parties involved, ensuring agreement on the research outlines/expectations and the timeline for completion of the degree. Programs should make sure there is a provision for modifications if needed. 3. Impact of the program Proposals should discuss the advantages and benefits of the joint degree program to (a) students, (b) the institutions and departments, and (c) to the discipline/field of study. D. Administration Proposals must include explanations of the following, all of which must be approved by both departments/schools: 1. What the admissions procedures will be. 2. How the departments will regulate the preliminary examination. The preliminary examination committee should have co-chairs, one from each partnering institution. There should be equal representation of both departments/schools on the committee. 3. How the dissertation defense committee will be constituted. The committee should have co-chairs, one from each partnering institution. There should be equal representation of both departments/schools on the committee. 4. How the process for the dissertation defense will be determined. 5. How the quality of the collaborative interaction between the student and relevant faculty in both departments will be monitored and ensured. 6. How the format of the dissertation will be determined. 7. How the two departments will deal with issues related to the Responsible Conduct of Research (i.e., IRB, copyright, plagiarism, etc.)

6 5 The dissertation must be written in English. If the joint degree institutions agree that the dissertation should be translated into another language to accompany the English version, specifics of this expectation should be clearly stated. E. A Plan for Program Assessment Joint degree programs must be assessed every five years. Proposers should include a description of how they will evaluate their joint degree program. F. A Plan for Program Sustainability. Joint degree programs must be sustainable. Proposers should explain the institutional/departmental commitment to the program, and the institutional/departmental support for the program. Proposers should detail the expenditures and revenues associated with the program and the expected enrollments short term and long term. G. Attach a Written Agreement between the Partner Departments/Schools Before a Joint Degree program can be implemented, its academic agreement will need to be reviewed and approved by other university offices. There may be additional contracts and agreements required before a given Joint Degree program can be implemented.

7 6 DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS IV. Definition of a Dual Degree A dual degree program is defined as one that involves coursework at two or more institutions and one in which a separate diploma is awarded from each of the participating programs (CIC Global Collaborations Executive Brief, September 2011). This dual degree program policy and procedures document governs dual degree programs between a department or School at Purdue University West Lafayette or the system-wide program (Purdue University-Calumet, Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort-Wayne, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue University North-Central) and another institution of higher education. Dual degree programs award degrees at the Masters level (MA or MS). As the process matures, the Graduate Council may consider other kinds of degree combinations. Dual degree programs may be between a Purdue University system department/school and either (a) a department/school in a U.S. institution of higher education or (b) a department/school in an international institution of higher education. V. Proposal Review Process Purdue University departments or Schools seeking to propose a dual degree with another institution of higher education should follow the following sequence. First, departments seeking a dual degree with another institution will submit a concept paper to the Dean of the Graduate School. The concept paper should include a description of the proposed dual degree program and the proposed program s quality (The Graduate School will provide a template). Proposers will receive feedback within approximately one month. Departments may then be invited to submit full proposals (following the format detailed in Section VI below). Concept papers and full proposals will be reviewed by a committee of six individuals, all from the West Lafayette campus. Individuals comprising the committee will be selected based on the contents of the concept paper. The committee will include: (a) a non-voting member from the Graduate School, (b) the Chair of the relevant Graduate Council Area Committee, (c) two graduate faculty members who are knowledgeable in the area, and (d) two administrators who are members of the Graduate Faculty (such as Associate Deans of Graduate Education) and who are not directly linked to the proposal. The Area Committee Chair will oversee the review process; the members of the graduate faculty will provide subject matter expertise; the administrators will consider academic and administrative issues. The committee will be constituted by the Graduate School once the concept paper is received. Full proposals will be reviewed normally within one month of receipt. This committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School. For programs that involve international partners, the Dean of the Graduate School will consult with the Dean of International Programs. The Dean of the Graduate School will then make a recommendation to the Provost.

8 7 Proposers are encouraged to submit concept papers and full proposals to the Graduate School during the Fall or Spring semesters, consistent with agreed upon academic timelines of each institution. Concept papers and full proposals submitted during the summer terms may not be reviewed until the Fall semester begins. VI. Format for Dual Degree Program Proposals Prior to the development of a formalized dual degree program proposal, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be produced, indicating a good faith intention to proceed, between Purdue University and the partner institution in accordance with existing institutional protocols, signed by the department head/chair, academic dean and provost. Details on LOAs can be found at: Proposals should include: A. Cover Page 1. Name of Purdue Department Submitting the Proposal (include College/School) 2. Name of Proposed Partnering Department/Institution 3. Title of Proposed Dual Degree 4. Anticipated Start Date 5. Signatures of Department Heads, Deans of Colleges/Schools from both Departments/Institutions, Chancellors from Both Departments/Institutions, with lines to include the date signed. 6. Date 7. Signature lines for the Dean of the Graduate School and for the Provost, with lines to include the dates signed. B. Abstract (1 page) 1. Program Summary & Objectives C. Program Justification, Curriculum, and Impact 1. Justification a. Market Analysis. This section should include an assessment of (a) Current and future demand for students completing the proposed discipline specific degree program; (b) Anticipated number of students completing the proposed dual degree program annually; (c) Other institutions offering the same or similar degree program; (d) Unique features of the proposed dual degree program; and (e) Alignment of the proposed dual degree program with mission and strengths of Purdue University.

9 8 b. Ranking and Reputation of Partnering Institution/Department. Purdue departments/schools should provide rankings (international and/or national) of the department and institution with which they seek to partner, and interpret what the rankings mean. The following rankings and reputational data will be considered and should be included: (a) international ranking, (b) ranking in geographical area of study, (c) ranking within country, and (d) reputation of the program within the discipline or field of study. Please list sources for all rankings and reputational data provided. c. Statements from both departments that their faculties endorse the proposal d. An explanation of dissenting opinions among faculty 2. Proposed Curriculum a. Coursework requirements. A maximum of 12 credits may be counted toward both degrees with the remaining credits from the degree-granting institution. Current Purdue policy allows 9 hours from one Purdue degree to be counted on a plan of study for another Purdue University degree (Master s). b. What fraction of the courses needs to be taken at each university? c. How much time will the student spend on each campus? 3. Impact of the Program Proposals should discuss the advantages and benefits of the dual degree program to (a) students, (b) the institutions and departments, and (c) to the discipline/field of study. D. Administration Proposals must include explanations of the following, all of which must be approved by both departments/schools: 1. What the admissions procedures will be. 2. How the quality of the collaborative interaction between the student and relevant faculty in both departments will be monitored and ensured. 3. How the two departments will deal with issues related to the Responsible Conduct of Research (i.e., IRB, copyright, plagiarism, etc.) 4. If a Masters thesis is required, proposals must include explanations of the following, all of which must be approved by both departments/schools: 1. How the format of the thesis will be determined. 2. How the thesis defense committee will be constituted. The committee should have co-chairs, one from each partnering institution. There should be equal representation of both departments/schools on the thesis committee. 3. How the process for the thesis defense will be determined.

10 9 4. If there will be a thesis proposal and whether that will require an oral defense. The thesis must be written in English. If the dual degree institutions agree that the thesis should be translated into another language to accompany the English version, specifics of this expectation should be clearly stated. E. A Plan for Program Assessment. Dual degree programs must be assessed every five years. Proposers should include a description of how they will evaluate their dual degree program. F. A Plan for Program Sustainability. Dual degree programs must be sustainable. Proposals should explain the institutional/departmental commitment to the program, and the institutional/departmental support for the program. Proposers should detail the expenditures and revenues associated with the program and the expected enrollments short term and long term. G. Attach a Written Agreement between the Partner Departments/Schools Before a Dual Degree program can be implemented, its academic agreement will need to be reviewed and approved by other university offices. There may be additional contracts and agreements required before a given Dual Degree program can be implemented.