This study explored the motivations, desired outcomes, and strategies used when developing and implementing international joint/dual degree programs in the US. Twenty-three administrators involved with the development international joint/dual degree programs, primarily at public doctoral-granting institutions of higher education in the US, were interviewed to learn more about current practices. Findings indicated that the primary motivations for developing international joint/dual degree programs include: recruitment, extending an existing partnership, and that it was part of an institutional strategic plan. The desired outcomes include: growth in both student participation and number of programs. To achieve these desired outcomes seven strategies being utilized by the institutions represented in this study are presented. The lack of formal assessment of programs and student experiences was a chronic challenge relayed by participants. By integrating these findings, this study introduces the notion of transnational partnerships as part of a network that enhances the ability for individual institutions to share resources and expertise in order to pursue new opportunities globally. In this way the tension between the traditional educational mission of the institutions and new entrepreneurial interests can be balanced.

This particularistic qualitative study examined the perceptions of 18 students’ dual credit experience and the viewpoints of three administrators. While limited in scope, this study makes an important contribution to what is currently known about dual credit experiences from students that have graduated with a dual degree at the completion of high school. Primary data collection occurred through individual interviews with the students and with the administrators. Nine themes were identified from the qualitative analysis of the students’ interview responses and 10 themes were identified from analysis of the administrators interview responses. Student themes related to influence, the dual credit experience, student decisions/choices, value, desire to continue, dual credit concerns, advice to high school students, and the top three advantages to a dual credit program. The student participants reported that, while the dual credit experience had been challenging, the program resulted in positive educational outcomes, time savings, cost savings, and access to college courses. Administrator themes related to the dual credit enrollment process, influence, the student experience, support systems, student choice, outcomes of acquiring a dual degree, impact of dual degree status on pursuit of higher education, degree completion, advice for dual credit students, and the future of dual credit programs. While the three administrator participants valued the dual credit program, each provided a unique view of the program. The findings from this study may help to improve future dual credit experiences for the students and help to create a favorable relationship between the community college and high school. Conclusions drawn from the findings were reported. Implications for policy, research, and practice were identified. Recommendations were made for further research.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.