Approval of International Agreements
When faculty, staff, or departments wish to develop a partnership with an international institution, an agreement must be approved by the Office of International Student Services, the Office of Admissions, Academic Affairs, and the Office of the President. Therefore, it is important to begin the process by meeting with the Office of International Student Services to ensure that all factors are considered in order to secure University approval for the agreement.
Additionally, it is required to use only the agreement templates provided by the Office of International Student Services. Neglecting to collaborate with the Office of International Student Services or utilize a University-approved agreement template will result in significant delays to the development and ultimate approval of an agreement.
The Process of Developing an Agreement
- Meet with the Office of International Student Services. In order to begin the process, email the Office of International Student Services at iss@marshall.edu in order to arrange an appointment. At the appointment, be prepared to discuss the purpose and objectives of the intended agreement. We will assist with determining the type of agreement and provide any feedback to consider during the development process. It is crucial that all international agreements are developed with the assistance of International Student Services to ensure the terms of the agreement align with regulations and institutional policies.
- Consult with the College Dean regarding the feasibility and priority of the agreement.
- Collaborate with the partner institution, if approved by the College Dean. Depending on the objectives of the collaboration, work with the partner institution to determine key information needed for the development of the agreement, including objectives, necessary resources, etc. It is important to keep in mind that certain components of the agreement may require additional approvals and/or collaboration with other departments.
- Submit the International Agreement Proposal Form to the Office of International Student Services. The timeline for review of international agreement proposals may vary, depending on the complexity of the proposed agreement. The Office of International Student Services will conduct the initial review. Edits or changes may be required and will be outlined in an email.
- Review and approval from all necessary departments. Once any and all changes have been made, the Office of International Student Services will provide an initial draft agreement for review and approval by all necessary offices and departments (immigration, admissions, finance, legal, academic affairs).
- Finalize agreement signed by the President, Provost, and College Dean. Once the agreement has been approved and routed for signature, it may then be submitted to the partner institution for signature. Two copies of the agreement should be shipped to the partner school for signature with instructions to return one of the originals back to Marshall University.
Types of International Agreements
- Commonly referred to as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- General agreement between Marshall University and another institution, not between departments or colleges, to broadly engage in joint activities such as research or education
- Must be approved by Admissions and MU Legal
- Agreement signed by President and Provost
- Used to define terms of an activity that is not a reciprocal exchange, such as a Marshall University department hosting a group of students for a semester, specific research or publication collaboration, or establishing a summer study abroad program
- Must be approved, with necessary information added by Immigration/Admissions, MU Legal, Academic Affairs, Finance Office, and College
- Agreement signed by President, Provost, and College Dean
- Articulation agreements outline courses which may be taken at the home institution, transferred to Marshall University, and allow a student to enter at a specific academic level in order to complete a Marshall University degree
- An articulation agreement outlines how coursework from a foreign institution will transfer to Marshall University, including course equivalencies, units of credit, and grading scale
- Commonly referred to as a “2+2” or “3+2” agreement
- Must be approved, with necessary information added by Immigration/Admissions, MU Legal, Academic Affairs, Finance Office, and College
- Agreement signed by President, Provost, and College Dean
- Exchange agreements involve a reciprocal student exchange, involving visiting students from both Marshall University and the international partner institution
- Students participating in a reciprocal exchange program pay tuition and fees to their home institution while enrolling in and taking courses at the visiting institution
- Exchange agreement participation must be monitored to ensure exchanges stay in balance from year to year
- Must be approved, with necessary information added by Immigration/Admissions, MU Legal, Academic Affairs, Finance Office, and College
- Agreement signed by President, Provost, and College Dean (if applicable)
- A transfer agreement generally outlines conditions of transfer for students from an international partner institution to Marshall University
- Outlines how coursework from a foreign institution will transfer to Marshall University, including course equivalencies, units of credit, and grading scale
- Must be approved, with necessary information added by Immigration/Admissions, MU Legal, Academic Affairs, Finance Office and College Dean (if applicable)
- Agreement signed by President, Provost, and College Dean (if applicable)