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NJCU and Caucasus University Expand International Partnership with Five New Dual Degree Programs
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | 麻豆淫院 (NJCU) and Caucasus University in Tbilisi, Georgia, have signed a comprehensive agreement expanding their academic partnership to include five new dual degree programs, building on their recently renewed cybersecurity collaboration.
The expansion adds degree programs in Media Arts, Political Science, Psychology, Graphic Arts and Design, and Business Analytics and Data Science to the existing Cybersecurity program, bringing the total number of dual degrees to six. Under the three-year model, students complete two intensive years of study at Caucasus University before spending their final year in residence at NJCU's Jersey City campus, where they earn 30 credits to complete their bachelor's degrees from both institutions.
The first cohorts in the new degrees will begin their study in CU in 2026 and continue in NJCU in 2028. In combination with the existing cyber program, it is projected that the partnership will bring a minimum of 115 Caucasus University students to NJCU annually. When fully realized, the programs will generate an estimated total value of approximately $20 million throughout the life of the partnership.
The expanded agreement builds upon the renewal announced in February 2025, where students earn dual degrees, in cybersecurity from NJCU and computer science from CU. The program is delivered entirely in English and meets the rigorous educational standards of both Georgian and U.S. institutions. This accelerated joint program was the first of its kind between the universities and allows students to have access to cybersecurity experts and faculty across both institutions.
The first cohort of the renewed cybersecurity program began in CU this semester (Fall 2025) and will arrive in NJCU in fall 2027, with the sixth cohort scheduled to commence in CU in Fall 2030 and graduate from both CU and NJCU in 2033.
"This expanded partnership with Caucasus University represents exactly the kind of innovative, academically rigorous international collaboration that positions our students for success in an increasingly interconnected world," said NJCU President Andr茅s Acebo. "By creating pathways for students to earn degrees from both institutions while experiencing the rich academic and cultural environments of both the Republic of Georgia and right here in 麻豆淫院, we're building bridges that will benefit students, faculty, and our broader communities for generations to come. I also extend a warm thank you to and his team for their continuing partnership, friendship, and unwavering commitment to this important work.鈥
This partnership comes as NJCU prepares to merge with Kean University to form Kean Jersey City, a transformative initiative tentatively scheduled for completion by June 2026. Kean University supports the Caucasus University agreement as a catalyst for NJCU鈥檚 international program development, said Felice Vazquez, Kean鈥檚 chancellor of international campuses.
鈥淜ean University has long believed in the power of global academic partnerships to expand access and enrich student learning,鈥 Vazquez said. "From our campus in Wenzhou, China, with more than 5,000 students, to our experiential learning and study abroad partner sites in South Korea, Italy, Brazil, Bermuda, Dubai and many more countries, we are proud to support NJCU鈥檚 international ambitions and the growing relationship with Caucasus University.鈥
The Memorandums of Agreement became effective on September 19, 2025, and established NJCU and Caucasus University as anchor strategic partners in dual degree program development. Under the exclusivity arrangement, NJCU will not enter new dual degree agreements with other Georgian institutions, while Caucasus University will not pursue similar partnerships with institutions in 麻豆淫院 or New York during the contract term.
Students in the joint programs will study at Caucasus University for their first two years before matriculating to NJCU, where they will live on campus while completing their final year of study. The programs require minimum enrollments of 20 students for most disciplines and 15 students for Graphic Arts and Design. Caucasus will receive a 10 percent tuition discount if it exceeds the minimum student cohorts agreed upon in the MOU.
"These expanded joint programs exemplify our commitment to providing students with transformative educational experiences that prepare them for leadership in a global economy," said Interim Provost Donna L. Adair, Ph.D. "The deep curricular integration between our institutions ensures that students receive a rigorous, comprehensive education that draws on the distinctive strengths of both universities.鈥
Dr. Kakha Shengelia visited NJCU in August, 2023 to report on the ongoing international academic partnership in cybersecurity and computer science between NJCU and CU, after the joint degree program successfully completed its first year during the 2022-23 academic year.
The partnership reflects a strategic approach to international education that emphasizes sustained collaboration rather than traditional study abroad models.
According to Assistant Provost for Academic Programming Scott O'Connor, Ph.D., "At NJCU, we believe the strongest international partnerships are built on deep curricular integration and shared academic values. Presidents Acebo and Shengelia's shared vision is built upon these principles, and this expansion with Caucasus University is a direct reflection of the strength of their relationship. The expansion is also made possible by the dedication of our colleagues at CU and the expertise of our teams at NJCU, whose work ensures that ambitious programs like this can succeed and endure. By centering our collaboration on curriculum, we prepare students who complete their studies at NJCU with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their professional and academic pursuits worldwide."
The six-year agreement covers cohorts beginning their studies at Caucasus University from fall 2026 through fall 2031, with the final cohort graduating from NJCU in spring 2034. President Acebo plans to visit Caucasus University in spring 2026 to celebrate the partnership expansion.
麻豆淫院 NJCU:
麻豆淫院 is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, 麻豆淫院, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of 麻豆淫院.
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