7.7 Joint Degree Programs

7.7.1 General Provisions for a Joint Degree

Joint degree programs are expected to be designed and operated in conformity with the Standards of Accreditation and relevant policies of each respective institution’s accrediting body (WASC/ACSCU for NPS). A partnering institution within the United States must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting agency. An international partnering institution must substantially meet the standards of WASC accreditation, as determined by the Academic Council.

All joint degree programs must have a clear written agreement between NPS and the partnering institution that outlines the plan to offer, monitor, and assess the joint degree program.

Considerations for developing a joint degree program include:

• The program should be consistent with NPS and the partnering institution’s mission and educational objectives.
• The degree awarded should represent a coherent course of study that is in keeping with the quality of other degree programs offered by NPS and the partnering institution.
• A near-equal or greater proportion of the course credits awarded toward the joint degree shall be earned in courses offered by NPS and taught by NPS faculty.
• Sound practices are employed for the award of credit at each institution.
• Appropriate program level, course content, and standards are established and periodically evaluated at each partnering institution.
• Appropriate student learning outcomes, expectations for student achievement, and means to assess student achievement are established.
• Sufficient and qualified faculty and staff are available to execute the agreed on instructional and administrative responsibilities at each partnering institution.
• Provisions for institutional quality assurance processes, including program review, are agreed on and applied.

The program must be approved by the faculty and administration of both institutions in keeping with their usual decision-making processes.

7.7.2 Requirements for Approval of a Joint Degree Program

Requests for approval of a new joint degree program involving NPS and a partnering institution shall be submitted to the Academic Council in sufficient time for the Council to review and decide on the request prior to admitting any students into the joint degree program.

The request should include:

1. Identification of the NPS School and specific department or group responsible for the execution, content and quality of the curriculum.
2. The submitting department or group must provide the information required for evaluation as listed in paragraph 7.7.1, if that information is not publicly available.
3. A general description of the program and rationale for its development.
4. The name of the degree and associated degree requirements.
5. A detailed listing of the required courses in the program, to include which institution will be responsible for delivering each, course descriptions, and current status (existing, approved, or under development).
6. A final negotiated draft of the detailed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NPS and the partnering institution that fully describes all aspects of the collaborative relationship. While the Academic Council is primarily interested in academic rigor, content, and quality of the joint degree program, the MOA should cover the following matters, as a minimum.
   1. Administrative issues such as: student admission; advising and other student services; record keeping; information resources, technology and facilities.
   2. Program quality and content issues such as: maintenance of sufficient and qualified faculty and staff; application of quality assurance processes; scheduled joint program reviews.
   3. Planning and budgeting issues such as: tuition; cost transfers, cost sharing.

A joint degree program will not be considered fully approved for delivery or award of the degree until both the NPS Academic Council and the partnering institution’s equivalent entity have approved the program and the detailed MOA for the program has been signed by the appropriate representatives from each institution.

7.7.3 Reporting and Reviewing Requirements for a Joint Degree Program

Any joint degree program is subject to the same review and reporting requirements as any other NPS degree. This includes notification requirements and requests for approval of substantive changes as outlined in Chapter 8 of this Policy Manual. Additionally, because of the unique relationship and trust required between partnering institutions in the execution of a joint degree program, the Academic Council shall be notified of the results of any joint program reviews concerning academic rigor, content or quality biennially.