Types of Partner Agreements

The following is a list of the most common types of agreements currently being explored by Acadia University to be formulated with other educational institutions.

Please note that there is no guarantee of forming a partnership and is at the discretion of Acadia University, though all proposals will be reviewed and considered. This list provides a general example of the type of partnerships possible between Acadia and other institutions. This list is not exhaustive, and the shape of each agreement is unique to reflect the different objectives and contexts of each respective institution. Each type of agreement can be formulated in any way that best suits the unique needs of a partner institution.

Note that the below definitions are those used by the Acadia Partnership Office and may not perfectly match definitions used by other institutions.

A full list of our current partnerships can be found on the Our Partners page.

Articulation Agreement

Otherwise known as a pathway agreement. This type of partnership can vary greatly from agreement to agreement, but the general foundation is that one university agrees to accept a block of transfer credits into predetermined equivalent credits to facilitate the transfer of a partner’s students. These types of agreements are usually program specific, with one program transferring directly into another specific program. However, articulation agreements can be more broad and used to serve as a general pathway agreement.

Also note that all prospective agreements will be reviewed and must be approved by Acadia International, the relevant academic department(s), and the Registrar’s Office.

Language Agreement

This type of agreement pertains to Acadia’s English language requirements. It is usually between Acadia and a college, university, or other educational institution that provides English as a Second Language Programming. The agreement allows for satisfactory completion of the specified partner’s level of instruction to either allow a potential student direct entry into Acadia’s Bridging program or counts as the English language requirement for direct admission into an undergraduate program. Note this only counts for English language requirements and does not guarantee applicants direct acceptance into one of Acadia’s programs (see admission requirements for Canadian Students and for International Students). The specifics of what level of instruction counts towards either direct entry into the bridging program or direct admission is negotiated and decided in the agreement creation between both parties.

Secondary School Agreement

An agreement between Acadia University and a secondary institution in relation to the admission process of its students into Acadia.

Exchange Agreement

This type of agreement deals with the direct exchange of students between two institutions. The common goal is for a “exchange balance” between the two partners, so that each receives and sends an equal number of students, who continue to pay tuition to their “home” university while studying at the “host” university. The number of students to be exchanged each year, for how long, and from what academic programs, are all decided upon within the agreement creation process, and are different between each agreement.

For more information on Exchange Agreements, please visit the Exchange Program website.

Study Abroad Agreement

This type of agreement is another one that can take many forms. The two common categories are inbound and outbound. The main difference between study abroad and exchange agreements is that the former usually requires only the flow of students from one source, not a bilateral movement of students. The length, time, subject matter, and number of students sent can vary greatly from agreement to agreement, from a single student sent to a semester long study abroad program for a specific discipline (from political studies to chemistry), to a two weeklong summer course focused on hands on learning and exploring the host location (such as a two week long program in Paris focused on late medieval architecture).

Acadia has a precedent of inbound study abroad agreements focused on the English Language Centre, where partner universities are able to send groups of students either for the regular program or a shorter summer program can be arranged.

Memorandum of Understanding

Often abbreviated to MOU, these agreements are typically broad affirmations of commitment for two institutions to explore further avenues of partnership and collaboration without specific pledges. They are usually the first step to one of the other forms of partnership.

Though when a document titled as a MOU deals with articulation, language learning, or any other specific form of cooperation, for the sake of clarification it will often be referred to as such (i.e. articulation agreement, exchange agreement, and so on) and not as a MOU.

Double/Dual Degree

A Dual/Double Degree Program is a partnership where two institutions grant a degree each to a student that completes the program, therefore graduating with two degrees. As opposed to an articulation agreement, a Dual Degree Program requires both institutions to evaluate the other’s transfer credits to ensure the possible completion of both institution’s respective program based on which credits will be transferred. Moreover, an Dual Degree Program can allow a student to earn two bachelor degrees within four (or sometimes five) years. While the two institutions can create a new program from the ground up, it is also possible to match two existing bachelor degree programs together. As for where a study will study, unlike a traditional articulation agreement which is considered a 2+2, a dual degree can take a myriad of forms such as: 2+2, 1+1+1+1, 2+1+1.

Further Types of Partnerships

Avenues for Intra-Institutional Collaboration:

  • Curriculum Internationalization
  • International Faculty-Led Field Schools
  • Global Alumni Network

Avenues for Current Inter-Institutional Partnerships:

  • Short-Term Study Abroad/Foreign Language Programs (Tuition Paid to Host Institution)
  • Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
  • Virtual Guest Lectures
  • Faculty and/or Staff Mobility

Avenues for Prospective New Partnerships:

  • Bilateral & Multilateral Academic Exchange Agreements (Tuition Paid to Home Institution)
  • Review Partnerships Priorities (Coming Soon)
  • Work-Integrated Learning/Co-operative Education Placement Partners (compatible with International Experience Canada)