Establishing International Articulation Agreements

In an effort to increase the efficient transfer of ideas and ascertain that the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) international protocol is followed, any and all parties, including administrators, faculty, and/or recruiters are required to apprise the Vice President for International Affairs, before commencing any formal or informal discussions with partner and/or non-partner institutions regarding international initiatives, including potential international articulation agreements.

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) requires an established sister school agreement before proceeding to a series of required steps in order to establish an international articulation agreement.

Non-sister school partners, wishing to establish an international articulation agreement, are encouraged to contact the Director of international Affairs in order to obtain additional information regarding the UIW partner acquisition process.

The University’s President and/or the Vice President for International Affair’s authorization to commence the analysis of an international articulation program proposal is required before proceeding to milestone 1.

Milestone 1- Initiation Protocol:

The President and/or the Vice President for International Affairs shall apprise the supervisory dean and appropriate UIW executive administrators required to analyze and approve the program proposal. Executive administrators may include the UIW Provost.

In collaboration with the Director of international Affairs, the supervisory dean(s) and academic director(s) (or designated key faculty), from both institutions, within the respective discipline(s), must be involved in consultative and collegial processes as early as possible. Furthermore, when establishing new articulation agreements and/or revising existing agreements, institutions must exchange information essential for informed timely decision-making by the administrators and faculty from both sending and receiving institutions.

During milestone 1, the deans and academic directors from both institutions shall:

  • Verify the specific academic program (i.e., B.B.A.), including program concentration (B.B.A. - International Business), if applicable.
  • Compare and contrast potential transferable course(s) by reviewing the academic degree program(s).
  • Identify and develop a list of course(s) requiring the exchange of course syllabi and materials. Course syllabi and materials are to be translated in English, if applicable,.
  • Develop questions and/or requests for clarification, such as, but not limited to:
    • Specific academic requirements, such as admission and progression requirements
    • Program start and end dates
    • Pre-requisite requirements
    • Estimated program costs

Milestone 2 - Analysis and Review:

During milestone 2, the deans and academic directors from both institutions shall exchange the requested information identified during the activities from milestone 1.

During this milestone, both parties shall discuss and agree upon the following:

  • Confirm the academic program, including specific track, if applicable
  • Intended courses to be transferred
  • Admission requirements and progression requirements
  • Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements
  • Language requirements
  • Course requirements
  • Transcript requirements (i.e. official transcripts and translated into English, etc.)

Once the above information is agreed upon by both institutions, the Dean, Academic Director, and Director of International Affairs shall meet with the UIW Registrar's Office in order to implement a formal review of the program and proposed transferable courses. Any and all recommendations must be addressed before proceeding to Milestone 3.

Milestone 3 – Articulation Agreement Development:

Milestone 3 encompasses the stage in which the proposed articulation agreement is written specifying the details that not only explain the intent of the academic program, but also provides specific requirements needed for students to earn the designated degree.

An exemplary articulation agreement will contain the following elements:

  • Provide specific degree plan schedules, including program concentration.
  • Developed for a specific program or degree.
  • Lay out the required coursework for both institutions at the beginning of the educational program.
  • Designate program advisors at both institutions.
  • Provide information on tuition costs and expenses that will follow the student.
  • Readily available to all students and faculty via online.
  • Provide clear guidelines to address changes and/or updates of degree requirements.
  • Reviewed on a regular basis by both the sending and receiving institutions.
  • Financial commitments of each institution.
  • Approved and signed agreement by the following institutional personnel
    • Provost
    • Vice President, International Affairs
    • Registrar
    • Supervisory Dean
    • Academic Program Director/Advisor

Milestone 4- Program Promotion and Scheduled Continuous Evaluation:

Milestone 4 offers a best practices approach regarding promotion of the established program(s) and a suggested method for evaluation.

Promotion of the program will be scheduled immediately upon the establishment of the program. Promotional activities will include, but are not limited to:

  • Posting or updating university websites stating the title and academic program for immediate access.
  • Scheduled campus visit to the sending institution led by the academic dean and/or academic program director to present the details of the program.
  • Distribution of printed materials or brochure detailing the program to the appropriate parties.

It is recommended that the academic directors of each institution schedule yearly program evaluation meetings (via telephone, if face-to-face meetings are not feasible) to discuss the following topics:

  • Potential changes in the university’s curriculum that may affect the established articulation agreement. Any modifications require following the same protocol as stated on milestones 2 and 3.
  • Sharing current enrolled student’s status in the program.
    • Academic progress
    • Issues and topics
    • Updating on the number of interested students
    • Request additional print materials or brochures

Notes: Transfer students shall be subject to the same regulations regarding applicability of catalog requirements as are domestic students and are expected to complete comparable requirements consistent with the university’s credit transfer policies.

In the event that an articulation agreement is modified during a student's enrollment period and that student has met appropriate enrollment and performance expectations, graduation shall be permitted under the program articulation agreement designated by the student.

The transfer process will provide for the resolution of any disagreements regarding the application or interpretation of articulation agreements or practices as expeditiously as possible, and the resolution should avoid placing an undue burden on students.

Institutions should make good-faith efforts to resolve disagreements at the department or discipline level.