Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Concurrent Technology Masters Degrees Across the Atlantic: Innovations, Issues & Insights1

Introduction

Atransatlantic degree consortium to implement a four-semester dual masters degree initiative across a three-institution consortium consisting of Purdue University (USA), the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain) is presented in this paper. This initiative, while focusing on graduate (Masters) student mobility, also includes faculty mobility, language instruction and assessment, project evaluation and other services to insure ongoing success. Effective existing collaborations, i.e., an active undergraduate exchange semester and collaborative faculty activity established a solid foundation for the new dual/concurrent technology degree program and enabled it to get off to a fast start. Two of the new consortium members are already partnering in an Atlantis undergraduate student mobility project that is working well and which has generated considerable student and faculty traffic and collaboration well in excess of the funding requirements [1]. The partners have invested considerable amounts of their own monies in building the relationship and thus evidence the sustainability of the new dual transatlantic technology masters degree program.

Globalization, technological innovation and sustainability are critical issues for most if not all nations in the world. Nowhere do these concerns converge more than in the preparation of leaders with significant capabilities in technology. In the Americas and in Europe, advanced programs in leadership development are often configured as master’s degree programs – both conventional and professional (see the National Academy Press’ recent document [2] on this for evidence). There exists a wide range of masters programs that include professional masters, MBAs, online degrees, and conventional campus-based experiences. But, few if any focus specifically on the intersection of Technology – Globalization – Innovation and Sustainability!

Innovativelyfunded bythe European Union (EU) and the US Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) pursuant to their joint Atlantis initiative, this Concurrent Master’s Degree program will result in the award of two masters' degrees, one from each side of the Atlantic, in an accelerated time frame. The program involves shared experiences such as the research project/thesis, formal language study, and coursework that draws on the specific strengths of each of the partnering institutions. This papersubsequently highlights key aspects of programs of study, memoranda of agreements, cross- Atlantic program management techniques, and more. Additional topics highlighted include: ≠ Unique program features and rationales therefore ≠ Assessment of learning outcomes ≠ Student & faculty orientation procedures ≠ Continuous improvement process ≠ Faculty mobility objectives and mechanisms ≠ Talent recruitment ≠ Incorporation of a scholarly overlay ≠ Third party evaluation 1 The contents of this report were developed under a EU-U.S. Atlantis grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily rep- resent the policy of the Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Dyrenfurth, M., & Murphy, M., & Bertoline, G., & Herrick, R., & O'Donnell, G., & Newton, K., & Castell, N., & Barcelo, M., & Balas, D., & Sancho, M. R., & McHale, D., & Garcia, J. (2010, June), Concurrent Masters Degrees Across The Atlantic: Innovations, Issues & Insights Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--16487