With the current focus on strategic internationalization and institutional partnerships, joint and double degree programs are becoming increasingly attractive to higher education institutions around the world. However, these programs also are more complex to implement than most traditional degree programs. Being prepared to properly assess and evaluate their merits is important and will support successful implementation and sustainability.
A Process for Screening and Authorizing Joint and Double Degree Programs, written by Rice University's associate vice provost for academic affairs and graduate studies Arnaud Chevallier, describes a new process developed at Rice University for evaluating potential new joint and double degree programs. The paper also summarizes the lessons learned as the process was developed, and includes an extensive list of questions that need to be addressed related to rationale, curriculum, partner institutions, students and academic standards, learning, faculty and courses, resources, administration and program governance, degree requirements, program launch, risks and liabilities, and program evaluation.