I. Introduction
In order to meet the development needs of China’s society and economy, and to train more international professionals, the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) in China and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in the United States agree to work together to assist the Chinese and AASCU member academic institutions to develop an academic program called the "Sino-American CHEPD Undergraduate/Graduate Transfer Program” under Sino-American Cooperation on Higher Education and Professional Development (CHEPD). This program was formerly known as Sino-American 1+2+1 Dual-Degree Program. (Referred as to CHEPD 1+2+1 Program in the rest of the Handbook).

The CHEPD 1+2+1 Program was started in 2001 under the joint administration of China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE), and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), to promote cooperation and exchange between Chinese and American higher education institutions.

II. Definitions
Based upon mutual agreement, the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program is defined as follows:

Undergraduate Transfer Program:
1. One year of study will be defined as equivalent to approximately 30 semester hours in the credit system of U.S. partner universities.
2. During the first year of the program, Chinese students will complete their freshmen year in one of the Chinese partner universities.
3. In the second and third years of the program, Chinese students will travel to the United States to complete their sophomore and junior years at one of the United States partner universities (only AASCU member institutions).
4. In the fourth year of the program, students will return to China to finish their senior year at the Chinese partner university. Students completing all requirements of the program will be granted bachelor's degrees from both the U.S. university and the Chinese university.
5. All transfer program academic decisions are to be made solely between the U.S. and Chinese partner universities in cooperation with CCIEE and AASCU.

Graduate Transfer Program
First-year graduate students are selected from Chinese universities to spend two or three academic semesters studying in the AASCU member universities in the United States. They return to their Chinese universities for the last academic year. Qualified students will be granted diplomas and masters’ degrees from both Chinese and U.S. universities.

III. Administrative Organizations
1. China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE)
China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, is a non-profit and non-governmental organization conducting international educational exchanges. It was founded in July, 1981 with the approval of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. In 1991, it was registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the PRC. In 1994, CEAIE was registered as an international non-governmental organization with the United Nations. The President of CEAIE is Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, P. R. China and Chairman of the National Commission of P. R. China for UNESCO.

China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) was established by CEAIE to improve and promote international exchange and cooperation in the field of education between China and other countries. With the help of CEAIE’s nationwide network and its twenty years’ experience in international educational exchange, CCIEE is devoted to enhancing the education cooperation between China and other countries around the world, and providing professional services to upgrade domestic education to the advanced world level; developing and organizing exhibitions, educational fairs, and conferences at home and abroad; and providing services on study abroad programs. After several years’ development, CCIEE is now playing an important role in the Chinese international education field.

CCIEE has set up several dozen workstations and liaison offices in various fields including trade associations and regional and school systems in China, and has maintained good cooperative relations with them.

2. American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a higher education association located in Washington, D.C., USA. AASCU is a non-governmental, membership organization serving more than 400 public colleges, universities, and systems of higher education throughout the United States and its territories. AASCU institutions collectively enroll nearly 6.7 million students.

1) To promote appreciation and support for public higher education and the distinctive contributions of our member colleges and universities;
2) To analyze public policy, and to advocate for member institutions and the students they serve;
3) To provide policy leadership and program support to strengthen academic quality, promote access and inclusion, and facilitate educational innovation; and
4) To create professional development opportunities for institutional leaders, especially presidents, chancellors and their spouses.

AASCU collaborates with higher education associations and other international educational groups to formulate positions on issues of concern to the international education community. One of the primary areas of focus is with the People’s Republic of China. For over 30 years AASCU has worked with our partner organization in Beijing, the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) to create opportunities for Chinese and American universities to build sustainable academic partnerships.

CHEPD 1+2+1 Program, a recent initiative between CEAIE, CCIEE, and AASCU, was developed to educate internationally oriented professionals. This innovative program was jointly initiated in March 2001. The CHEPD 1+2+1 Program is an example of AASCU/CEAIE/CCIEE’s combined success in assisting Chinese and AASCU member campuses to build collaborative partnerships that promote mutual understanding between our two countries.

IV. Major Responsibilities of Both Parties
1. CCIEE’s Responsibilities
1) CCIEE shall be responsible for contacting and working with CHEPD 1+2+1 Program Chinese partner universities.
2) CCIEE shall work and coordinate with AASCU and AASCU’s member academic institutions to develop the annual recruitment plan.
3) CCIEE shall work and coordinate with AASCU member partner universities to design and publish annual recruitment brochures.
4) CCIEE shall hold an Annual Conference in China every summer at a time when AASCU partner academic institutions can attend.
5) CCIEE shall facilitate the participation of Chinese partner universities in recruitment for the program.
6) CCIEE shall work with Chinese partner universities to test the candidates’ English proficiency level and to select students for the program.
7) CCIEE shall work together with AASCU and AASCU member institutions to establish guidelines for the interview process for the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program applicants.
8) CCIEE shall deliver the letter of admission and DS-2019 Form to students who are qualified for the program.
9) CCIEE shall work with AASCU, AASCU member institutions and the American Consulates to make group visa interview appointments for students.
10) CCIEE shall collect and keep the students’ passports/visas before they leave for the United States.
11) CCIEE shall work with Chinese partner universities and help students send tuition and other fee payments to AASCU member partner universities prior to their arrival on U.S. campuses.
12) CCIEE shall request the date convenient to AASCU member institutions and book airline tickets for students from China to the U.S. according to that date, shall organize pre-departure orientation for students before they leave China, shall arrange airport send-off, and inform AASCU member partner institutions to be ready to meet and receive students upon arrival in the U.S.
13) CCIEE shall employ a Project Liaison Officer, located in the United States, to assist AASCU member institutions to support students during their study in the U.S.
14) CCIEE shall work with AASCU to arrange visits for participating Chinese universities to their U.S. partner institutions and for participating AASCU universities to their Chinese partner institutions.
15) CCIEE shall charge students fees for registration, visa consultation, and other related costs.
16) CCIEE shall reimburse AASCU representatives for their work in China or within the United States on behalf of this program. The specific financial arrangements will be outlined by CCIEE and AASCU in a separate written communication.

2. AASCU’s Responsibilities
1) AASCU will assist participating universities in consultation about the program issues related to the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program.
2）AASCU will assist U.S. universities with preparation for receiving students.
3）AASCU will coordinate with both CCIEE and AASCU member partner universities to provide general consultation to AASCU member universities that are participating in the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program.
4) AASCU will coordinate with CCIEE to develop the annual recruitment plan for the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program.
5) AASCU will assist in publicizing and promoting the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program to all AASCU member institutions.
6) AASCU will work together with CCIEE, Chinese partner universities, and AASCU member universities to process CHEPD 1+2+1 Program student applications.
7) AASCU will assist CCIEE to arrange business trips in the U.S. and China for CHEPD 1+2+1 Program institutional representatives.
8) AASCU will establish guidelines and policies for the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program participating universities.
9) AASCU will assist American university representatives to make appointments with U.S. Consulates in China, visit the consulates, and brief visa officers about the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program.

V. Qualifications of Participating Universities
1. Chinese Partner University Qualifications
1) National or provincial key universities recognized by the Ministry of Education of China that are capable of granting bachelor and master degrees
2) Universities that can recruit students for the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program consecutively
3) Universities that have designated a CHEPD 1+2+1 Program campus coordinator
4) Universities that can host American students for the Summer Chinese Studies Program and American visiting scholars and faculty members

2. U.S. Partner University Qualifications
1) Accredited colleges or universities that are members of AASCU
2) Universities with an on-campus English Language Program
3) Universities those are able to issue DS-2019 forms and oversea J-visa sponsorship
4) Universities that have designated a CHEPD 1+2+1 Program campus coordinator
5) Universities that will host Chinese visiting scholars and participate in the Study Abroad in China Program