What is a Dual Diploma Program?
A dual diploma program is an undergraduate program in which students spend half of their education at a campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) and half at a Turkish university. The program received the 2007 Heiskell Award for International Exchange Partnerships by the Institute of International Education, one of the worlds leading international education organizations which administers such programs as Fulbright and the Humphrey Fellowships. Please click here for more information about this prestigious award.
Program Features
Study in two countries: The dual diploma program offers students a highly unique experience and prepares them for the increasingly global world. Students study in two different countries and upon completion of the degree, receive a diploma from each partner: a distinguished American university and a distinguished Turkish university.
English proficiency: Students develop excellent language skills as they study in English at a university in Turkey and as they live and study on a campus in the United States.
Bi-cultural experience: The programs allow students to experience two distinctively different cultures. Upon completing the degree, students are well-prepared to work in a multi-cultural environment and to function effectively in an international arena.
High academic quality: Most important, the programs are academically rigorous, as students must meet the academic requirements of both the Turkish university and the SUNY campus to complete the degree and to receive either diploma. All programs are approved and recognized by the Higher Education Council of Turkey (YÖK).
Program History
| 2000 | Partnerships initiated - dual diploma programs under development. |
| 2003 | Formal agreement to enroll students in the dual diploma programs was signed by YOK and the SUNY system; Individual partnership agreements between Turkish universities and SUNY campuses also formalized. |
| 2003/04 Academic Year | 10 initial programs began. 305 seats available 3,865 students applied. |
| 2006/07 Academic Year | 1,200 students total enrolled in 24 different programs. |
| 2009/10 Academic Year | A total of 28 programs currently enroll approximately 1,864 students, 274 of which will graduate at the end of the 2010 academic year. In addition to this year's graduates, there have been a total of 483 graduates of the Dual Diploma Programs so far. |
These award-winning programs continue to expand with new and exciting programs added almost every year.
Pattern of Study
Each program is designed to fit the needs of the specific academic field, so there are various patterns of study. Typically, students spend year 1 and 3 at the Turkish institution and year 2 and 4 at the SUNY campus. Students completing programs with year 4 in the United States may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) for up to 12 months.
Students requiring English preparation upon admission spend one year studying intensive English in a Turkish university before beginning the regular coursework.
For detailed pattern of study and curriculum information, visit the web site of each program, available from our links page (click here or on Links from the top menu).
