Types of Agreements

International education requires the development and maintenance of partnerships with a variety of academic institutions, government agencies, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations all dedicated to student and faculty mobility and international collaboration in other academic areas such as research. An agreement should fall into one or more of the agreement types described below. In most cases, agreements will begin with and consist of an Umbrella MOU followed or accompanied by a supplemental agreement.

Umbrella MOU

A general agreement of commitment to collaborate

  • A general umbrella MOU is signed between the University of Arkansas and an institution outside of the U.S. when both institutions have determined that there is significant potential for any one or more of the following: collaborative research, faculty exchange, student recruitment, short-term programs, or student exchange. In this case, representatives of both institutions should have visited the other institution to carefully assess the value and commitment of investing time and resources into a long-term partnership. The MOU typically promises no more than the intention to seriously explore collaborative projects that eventually may require a dedication of resources, to be articulated through supplemental agreements. The typical MOU is an agreement of three to five years. The U of A umbrella MOU can be found within the online tool.
  • Many foreign institutions want a signed MOU early in the collaborative relationship before the two institutions have learned very much about the other; this is sometimes because a signed agreement increases the potential for government funding. However, even a general agreement promising no more than good faith efforts assumes that both institutions are prepared to host visits from faculty and senior officials, which is an investment of resources, effort, time and money.
  • A general MOU should be signed on behalf of the institution, not just one department or college. The Provost has been given the authority to sign these academic exchange agreements on behalf of the institution and the U of A System and expects the proposal to be supported by at least one college, school, department, or program that has articulated the strategic relevance of engaging with the overseas institution. Partnerships are especially encouraged when they offer interdisciplinary opportunities across programs, departments and colleges or specifically provide opportunities for more than just one college.
  • Strategic and productive agreements serve more than one unit, department and college of the university, have more than one purpose and outcome related to the supplemental agreements listed below, and contribute to the overall strategic goals of the University to achieve its mission. Further, a deep strategic partnership will enhance the reputation of the U of A internationally.

Supplemental Agreement: Reciprocal Student Exchange

  • Student exchanges represent a valuable, mutually beneficial opportunity for institutions to grow their academic programs and bring international diversity to their student bodies. This agreement type creates guidelines to allow U of A students to participate in programs abroad while simultaneously enabling the international counterparts to attend the U of A and benefit from our programs.
  • These agreements are governed by Board of Trustees Policy 835.1 Reciprocal International Exchange of Students. They allow for students, as identified in the terms of the agreement, to pay their tuition and mandatory fees to their home institution and have the tuition and mandatory fees waived at the host institution enrolling the student for said term(s). There is an expectation for a balanced exchange between the U of A and the partner institution over a period of time. Colleges or departments proposing a student reciprocal exchange must be prepared to show how the exchange will attract students from both institutions and be prepared to assist in recruitment and hosting of students.
  • Note: If there is an interest to provide international students a U.S. education experience without expecting return registration by U of A students, please review the Inbound Visiting Student Affiliation agreement type.

Supplemental Agreement: Articulation of Transfer Credit

  • Programs governed by specific international agreements typically involve an articulated transfer of credit from one institution to another. This agreement type helps institutions collaborate to identify course equivalencies between them for the purpose of growing academic, non-academic, and blended programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.
  • These agreements are used for programs in which an overseas institution wants to pre-determine the courses that would transfer towards a specific degree or degrees. This could result in a simple transfer credit articulation for the completion of a degree from the U of A or it could be aimed at developing a joint or dual degree plan between the two institutions (i.e. 2+2, 3+1, 3+2, 1+1[MS], etc.) In some cases, the partner institution will be expected to offer curricula based on course syllabi provided by the U of A.

Supplemental Agreement: Faculty or Staff Exchange

  • This is an agreement between the U of A and another institution to exchange faculty for the purpose of teaching or research. For general teaching or research exchanges, there is no need to develop a faculty exchange agreement if there is no commitment of university resources. However, having a formalized agreement can assist in the sustainability and longevity of the exchange.
  • NOTE: When considering this agreement type, please consider whether opportunities are/could be available for hosting scholars on each side.

Supplemental Agreement: Research Collaboration

  • This is an agreement to support research collaboration in a particular area(s) that does not require the exchange of faculty but does require a commitment of university resources or involves student mobility in either direction. A research collaboration agreement should define intellectual property rights for all work products as outlined in Board Policy 210.1 Patent and Copyright Policy. There is no need to develop a research affiliation agreement if there is no commitment of university resources or student mobility. Even in this case, however, a research affiliation agreement might be necessary if requested by the partner institution or for research grant application purposes.

Proposal for Joint or Dual Degree

  • 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 Board Policy 620.1 Addition, Deletion, Suspension, and Modification of Academic Programs.
  • Joint Degree Program: An academic program offered jointly by partner institutions, in which one diploma is issued representing both institutions.
  • Dual Degree Program: An academic program in which two institutions each award a separate degree following a pre-determined coursework plan from each institution. Essentially, the student completes coursework at both institutions and fulfills the requirements of each institution’s degree. Through a series of approved credit transfers, each institution separately awards their degree to the student upon completion of all requirements for the degree.

Study Abroad Affiliation Agreement

  • This agreement type builds partnerships with organizations that provide study abroad program options to U of A students. They should identify the nature of the agreement and set expectations for student involvement, risk management and safety practices, resources available to students through their organization, scholarship and financial aid offerings, and any other information pertinent to the successful integration of their programs with current study abroad infrastructure at the U of A.

Inbound Visiting Student Affiliation Agreement

  • This agreement type facilitates programming for students visiting the U of A from institutions outside of the U.S. for the purpose of academic and cultural exchange. They should identify the nature of the agreement and set expectations for student involvement, risk management and safety practices, courses and/or research to be offered, organization of cultural activities, and any other information pertinent to the successful management of a short-term program on our campus.

Rome Center Program Agreements