International Agreements
The Office of International Programs (IP) facilitates and coordinates international MOUs and IAs for the university.
IP should be consulted in advance of any international MOU or IA being drafted, agreed upon, or signed.
Agreement types
Here are the types of contracts or agreements you may need to establish an international partnership.
If you want to formalize an agreement, or if you are not sure how to proceed, please contact Bret Dahmen. We are ready to help.
Preliminary documents
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
A Memorandum of Understanding is a general, nonbinding statement of intent to cooperate and explore collaborative activities between WSU and a partner university, institution, or organization.
The MOU provides a simple format to enter into a general agreement and serves as the foundation for more detailed agreements on specific activities.
International Agreement (IA)
An International Agreement is a legally binding contract that commits WSU and the partner organization to provide specific services or activities.
An MOU is generally executed before the process of negotiation and due diligence on developing an IA.
Undergraduate education
Undergraduate Transfer Credit Agreement
This agreement is known by a variety of names: Articulation, 2+2, 1+3, etc. It allows a student to transfer a defined set of undergraduate courses and credits between the academic program of an international institution and a program at WSU.
Reciprocal Student Exchange Program (RSEP) Agreement
The RSEP specifies the number of WSU undergraduate students who will go on exchange to the international institution and the international institution will send an equal number of students to WSU. It is important that the numbers of students to and from WSU remain equal.
Undergraduate Education Abroad Agreement
This agreement identifies the program details involved in a student education abroad experience. It addresses issues such as the selection process, number of students, housing, fees, time period of the program, and program contacts.
Education abroad agreements can incorporate third-party providers, exchanges that do not require WSU/partner equivalency figures, or affiliation partnerships.
International Partnership Agreement
This form is for faculty-led or group study abroad programs. The information will detail a specific undergraduate education abroad program led by WSU faculty or authorized personnel. It will describe the housing arrangements, fees, time period, course requirements (for credit-bearing programs), contacts, and other information.
Research and training agreements
Dual-Degree Research Agreement
In this agreement, WSU and the partner institution outline the requirements to confer separate Ph.D. diplomas to a student on fulfillment of all the requirements toward the Ph.D. degree at each institution.
This agreement allows both institutions to develop and strengthen research collaborations through a shared Ph.D. candidate who may conduct part of the doctoral requirements at WSU and at the partner institution.
The student will receive 2 separate diplomas by transferring pre-approved credits from the partner institution to WSU and from WSU to the partner institution, as appropriate. Note: The dual degree is not to be confused with a joint Ph.D. degree in which both institutions are jointly named on a single diploma.
PhD Training Agreement
This agreement provides special consideration for bilateral partnership between WSU and a partner university or agency (e.g., government scholarship board). The agreement addresses issues including selection process, number of students involved in the program, housing, fees, time period, and program contacts.
Faculty Exchange Agreement
This agreement is between WSU and a partnering institution for faculty on an exchange in the interest of teaching, research, or other approved academic activity. The agreement will address issues such as the selection process, number of faculty, housing, financial consideration, time period, and program contacts.
Internship and ESL agreements
English as a Second Language
Through the Academic English program at WSU’s Intensive American Language Center and other collaborative arrangements, WSU partners with external agencies to facilitate English education classes. These types of agreements will address schedules, terms and conditions to provide the necessary classes, and program of study that may include English classes as well as WSU academic courses, time period, and other program content and fees.
International Internship Agreement
This is an agreement between a WSU unit, department, or college to host an international student, faculty scholar, or researcher as an intern or visiting scientist for a defined period of time in a non-degree-seeking status. This activity may involve a commitment of university resources, funds, and/or personnel time. The agreement should include a scope of work and budget as appropriate. The agreement also can be modified for use by WSU faculty, staff, or students wishing to intern with a partner institution.