Developing and Sustaining Dual Degrees
American University:
A Case Study
Leeanne Dunsmore
Associate Dean
School of International Service
American University
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Three Phases of Development
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
American University’s Mission
• The School has been dedicated to preparing the “best young men and women” to learn
to effectively “wage peace” around the world.
• University actively encourages a commitment to public service. Its commitment to social
justice, its ability to respond to the needs of a changing world while retaining its core
values are hallmarks of the institution.
•American University and the School of International Service are deeply committed to
building a sustainable community, employing environmentally sustainable practices, and to
living our sustainable mission.
•Our sustainable ideal is centrally tied to our perspective that the way to alleviate poverty
and to forward international understanding requires a deep commitment to human dignity
and social justice.
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Ritsumeikan University Charter
●Ritsumeikan’s founding ideals are “freedom and innovation” and reflecting upon its wartime
experience, it committed itself to a core educational philosophy of “peace and democracy” after
World War II.
●Ritsumeikan will strive to strengthen links with society and promote its institutional development
by fully utilizing the characteristics of a private academic institution while respecting the principles of
autonomy, democracy, transparency, non-violence and justice.
●Ritsumeikan will foster learning and the development of individual talents in order to nurture just
and ethical global citizens.
●Ritsumeikan, as an institute of education and research, pledges to promote peace, democracy and
sustainable development in Japan and throughout the world, in keeping with the spirit of this
Charter.
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Faculty Engagement
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Human partnerships are the building blocks of world peace.
Warren Hunsberger and Hiroharu Seki, pioneers in building Asian-American partnerships.
Center for Asian Studies Missions
Education
Development of curriculum, courses and certificate of Asian Studies. Establishment of new faculty lines
in Asian Studies. Facilitation of dual degree and exchange programs with universities in Asia.
Research
Coordination of lectures, seminars, research projects, and publications, in the area of Asian Studies.
Research and teaching are conducted on such topics as political economy, civil society, democratization,
international relations, foreign policy, gender, race, culture, labor, business, management, and migration
issues.
Fund-Raising
Raise domestic and international funds and grants to promote teaching and research in Asian Studies.
External Outreach
Organization of joint projects and international conferences which build connections between teaching
and research on the one hand, and policy analysts on the other.
Cultural & Social Activities
Sponsor student clubs, Asian festivals, and other events.
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Research and Conferences
•Increase awareness and
understanding of issues of vital
interest to U.S.-Asia
partnerships
•Conduct analyses and provide
information to policymakers,
researchers, and students
•Provide for a for scholars,
journalists, and government
officials to debate relevant and
timely issues
•Develop closer personal and
professional relations among
U.S.-Asia specialists
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Hunsberger Lecturers
● Hugh Patrik, “A Conversation on the condition of the Japanese Economy” ●
Akira Iriye, “Transnationalizing East Asian History” ● Kenneth Pyle, “The Primacy
of Foreign Policy in Japan” ● Roderick MacFarquhar, “Chinese Politics: Out of Bad
Things Come Good Things” ● Leo Suryadinata, “China and Ethnic Chinese in a
Globalizing Southeast Asia” ● Gil Rozman, "Looking Beyond the North Korean
Nuclear Crisis: How the Major Powers View the Korean Peninsula” ● Richard
Samuels, "The Odd Couple: Political Leadership in Italy and Japan” ● Robert A.
Scalapino, "The Prospects for East Asian’s Tension Spots: North Korea and Taiwan“
● Susan Pharr, "Civil Society in Political Change in East Asia” ● Kent Calder,
"Political Reform in Japan: What is Needed, What is Possible” ● Carol Gluck,
"Present Pasts: World War II in Japanese Memory” ● Gerald Curtis, "Japan: What’s
New & What’s Not” ● Donald Emmerson, "Indonesia’s Quest: the Elusiveness of
Democracy“ ● Ezra Vogel, "Japan’s Response to the Rise of China”
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Faculty Research Conferences
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Globalization and Japan: Challenges from Social Changes
In collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Nov. 16, 2007, American University,
Washington, DC
Globalization and East Asia
In conjunction with AU-Tamkang University Joint Conference. Apr. 3, 2007, American University, Washington,
DC
Japanese Foreign Policy: Perspectives from Chinese Scholars
Co-sponsored by the Global Forum of Chinese Political Scientists. December 5-6, 2006, American University,
Washington, DC
Changing East Asia: China, Japan, Korea, and the United States
Co-sponsored with Old Dominion University Oct. 28-29, 2005
American University, Washington, DC; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
U.S. Taiwan Policy and the Dynamics of the Taipei-Beijing-Washington Triangle - Prospects for
Democracy and Peace
Co-sponsored with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Jan. 28-29. 2005, American University, Washington,
DC
North America and East Asia: A Trans-Regional Alternative to Uni-Polarism
Co-sponsored with American University, Fudan University, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Korea University,
Ritsumeikan University, University of British Columbia. September 29-October 1, 2004, American University,
Washington, DC
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Faculty Exchange
Incoming Professors from RU:
Higashi
Kimijima
Nakamura
Ichikawa
Okubo
Makiharu
Adachi
Hara
Outgoing Professors from AU:
Clarke Mittelman
Barron
Zhao Pasha
Levinson
Onuf Samarasinghe Richardson
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Curriculum: Dual Master’s
Degree Program
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Degree Programs/ Admissions
•What are the titles and themes of the degree
programs?
•What is the profile of a typical student?
•Do students in the program(s) have a high level of
English? (The SIS TOEFL requirement is 100 on
the iBT)
•What is required for admission (GPA, test scores,
etc…)? Are the admissions requirements compatible
with those of AU?
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Structure of DMDP
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How will we coordinate the completion of the degree? (Students typically spend
the first year at the home institution and then the second at the host institution.)
What courses will be relevant to the AU degree and therefore transferable to AU?
(Students need to take at least 24 credits at AU, so up to 15 credits could be
considered.)
What courses/how many credits will you accept into your degree program from
AU? What is the largest requirement? Are sample syllabi available?
How will the application process be coordinated? What will be the deadline?
What documents will be needed?
What would be the payment structure for the program? (We can exchange
students for a tuition neutral partnership or have students pay the host institution
for their enrollment.)
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Program Structure
•What are the dates of the academic year, per semester?
•How many credits are required to complete the program(s)? How
many semesters does it take to complete the degree?
•What is the distribution of courses within each program? (theory,
methods, etc…)?
•How are credits awarded? How many credits does a full-time student
typically take per semester? How many credits is each class worth?
How is GPA calculated?
•What is the grading scale?
•What is the language of instruction? Is coursework offered in
English?
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
International Accreditation
Is the program/university accredited? By whom?
The U.S. Department of Education’s limited authority to recognize accrediting agencies under the
legal provisions pertaining to federal assistance is restricted to the domestic territory of the United
States. For accreditation outside the United States, the federal government relies on the national
accreditation and quality assurance authorities in countries with which the United States has
diplomatic relations, the information provided by international organizations to which the United
States belongs, and international agreements such as the Lisbon Convention. States, institutions, and
employers rely on these sources plus the recommendations of credential evaluators, admissions
officials, and other experts.
The Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is an active member of the International
Network for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and
participates in UNESCO and OECD activities relating to higher education, quality assurance and
recognition.
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Level of Authority
• Who will sign the agreement on behalf of the institution?
• Will supplements be made with a particular school or
with the entire institution?
• Who will work on developing the language of the
agreement and the logistical aspects of the program?
• Who has the authority to solve disputes?
• Who has the authority to negotiate pricing?
• Who has the authority to negotiate consensus?
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Mobility
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Types of Student Mobility
•Undergraduate Exchange
•Undergraduate Dual Degree
•Graduate Exchange
•Graduate Dual Degree
•Summer Institute on Nuclear Studies
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Student Mobility
• To provide students with professional knowledge, language
skills, and cross-cultural understanding necessary for successful
careers in a changing world
• To develop personal relations among future U.S.-Asian
specialists facilitating closer collaboration between Asia and the
United States
• To provide students with experiential learning opportunities in
Asia and the United States through internships which will
acquaint students with the employment needs of both American
and Asian employers
• To institutionalize for higher education, the idea of global
partnership involving the United States and Asia
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
RU AU
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total:
27
20
23
19
21
22
16
14
23
27
24
24
22
17
17
18
18
A
RU
U1996
5
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
6
2
4
6
6
8
3
3
11
9
5
4
5
7
Total:
84
342
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Alexander M. Peterson focuses his practice on cross-border corporate
transactions and international trade matters.
Prior to joining Squire Sanders, Mr. Peterson served as a legal intern in
the Appellate Body Secretariat of the World Trade Organization. He
studied law at the University of Hong Kong and also pursued further
legal education in China. He was the first American University
student to participate in the school’s Dual Undergraduate
Degree Program with Ritsumeikan University, during which he
undertook university coursework in Japanese.
He is the author of several published academic works, including “SinoJapanese Cooperation in the East China Sea: A Lasting
Arrangement?”, which appeared in the Cornell International Law Journal
in 2009.
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Becoming a Fuku Musume: Heather Rogers
•First foreigner to be chosen as a Fuku
Musume
•Every year 3000 women from the Kansai
area apply
•Represents IMAMIYA EBISU Temple in
Oska during the annual festival
•Presents gifts from the Temple to various
companies
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Kanae Kimura
•Dual Degree
Undergraduate, Fall 2003
•Dual Degree Digital
Art/Media Major
•Photographs featured in the
AU Art/Writing Journal
“Woman Tired of
Being a Woman”
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Goodwill Ambassadors
National Cherry Blossom Ambassadors from AU
2003 - Nicole Lindsay
2005 - Colleen Kohashi, Corinne St. Angelo
2006 - London McCloud
2007 - Alyssa Farrelly
2008 - Diana Prilepsky
2009 - Natalie Linton, Nao Okayama, Andrew Robinson
2010 - Heather Rogers
2011 - Ezekiel Jalloh, Jakub Poniatowski, Alison Palmer,
Camryn Sugita, Tian Zhao
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Where are Dual Degree Alumni Now?
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Evaluating
Infrastructure and Institutional
Support
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Infrastructure Support Looks Like:
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Office of the President
School of International Service
Office of Program Development Staff
Center for Asian Studies
International Student and Scholar Services
Multi-Cultural Affairs
Counseling Center
Japan-American Student Association
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Infrastructure Support
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Infrastructure Support
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC
Institutional Support Affirms
the Mission and Looks Like:
•Cross-Cultural Communication Requirement
•Center for Asian Studies Visiting Scholars Program
•Travel Research Grants for Students
•Faculty/Staff Support for External Award Competitions;
Boren, Fulbright, Critical Language
•Financial Aid/ Fellowships/ Tuition Exchange for Dual Degree
Program Participants
•Recruiting/ Travel/ Marketing Resources
•Strategic Planning in Support of the Mission, which Sustains
Partnership
SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ● WASHINGTON, DC