International Partnerships

While every agreement is different, we provide the following templates that can be used as a starting point to propose a new agreement.

• Letter of intent  
• Memorandum of understanding  
• Dual doctoral degree  
• Dual master's degree  
• X+Y degree  
• Renewal of an existing agreement  

An International Dual Degree is an academic program collaboratively offered by CU and one (or more) non-U.S. higher education institutions leading to the award of one (or more) degrees issued separately by each of the institutions involved in the collaboration. They include language regarding student enrollment and performance requirements, services to students in the degree program, and each university's responsibilities to the other.

A LOI is a non-binding statement that acknowledges intent to explore the possibility of collaboration. LOIs are appropriate when a new project is being initiated, upon a first meeting with new international partners, or in connection with a one-time project. The LOI can serve as a signal of good will or a signal of the willingness to discuss the opportunities to cooperate further.

• Expresses affiliation with an institution or university abroad.
• States general willingness to collaborate
• May be required for research proposals

In order to collaborate in research projects or participate in teaching/learning activities, some international organizations or agencies require a signed membership or inter-institutional agreement. Typically, there is no need to write special documents or memoranda or understanding to establish these type of partnerships. Instead, standard forms from the international agency or institution must be signed by a legal representative. The Office of Global Engagement can assist in obtaining legal and export control reviews and approvals as well as determining the appropriate legal signer on behalf of CU.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a specific agreement that involves financial arrangements, institutional obligations, or specifies the terms of academic programs. MOAs are used to establish collaborative degree programs (different from Dual and X+Y Degrees), research projects where funds are committed or joint research centers. We consider two types of agreements: Research MOA and General MOA.

• Carries out CU’s strategic international goals and provides diplomatic framework for institutional relationships
• Codifies a partnership involving significant collaboration and is a legally binding document
• Specifies activities, resources, outcomes, obligations and limitations by each partner
• Contains specific financial obligations (specifically on the part of the CU partner)

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement that lists areas of possible joint activities, without creating financial obligations or committing resources. The purpose of an MOU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing and strategic relationship between institutions that is intended to be long term, or to support a grant application. Under this category, we consider three types of agreements: Honorific MOU, Research MOU, and General MOU.

• Expresses an intent to explore a closer relationship with an institution
• Publicly records the mutual interest to collaborate
• Provides a symbolic foundation for the institutional relationship
• Contains no financial commitments

Student exchanges are recognized as a valuable opportunity for making the educational experience truly international by enrolling CU students in programs abroad and in return enabling their international counterparts to attend CU and benefit from our programs, while at the same time bringing international diversity to our student body. These agreements include very specific language regarding the colleges and departments in the exchange, student eligibility, enrollment requirements, recruitment of students, nature of items exchanged (tuition, fees, and room and board), and balance of the enrollments over time.

If there is an interest to provide CU students an education abroad experience without expecting return registration by international students, please contact Education Abroad to propose a study abroad program.

Reviewed and approved by: Education Abroad Committee

These agreements are for programs in which students start a degree program at a partner university (for 'X' number of years) and complete the degree program at the other partner university (for at least 'Y' number of years). Agreements for these programs include language regarding the specifics of the arrangement including the particular academic disciplines covered and transfer requirements for the students in question. They also include an addendum that spells out the specific course requirements at each institution and how these equate to courses at the partner institution