The Dual Diploma Program

is a globally unique educational program that allows Swiss students to earn the High School Diploma alongside the Maturité Gymnasiale or ECG Certificate.

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What are the strengths of this program?

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1

Earn the High School Diploma:

Students earn the same diploma as American students, recognized by the Department of Education of the Trustee State in the United States and in every state and university in the world.

Preparing students for new challenges
2

Become bilingual and fully immersed in the American social and cultural experience:

Students achieve language immersion accompanied by certified American teachers. Students studying the Dual Diploma™ have the same experience as an American student studying in an American high school. To discover and develop their talents and passions, they can participate in school life through activities such as clubs and conferences, and in extracurricular events such as graduation.

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Developing soft skills:

Thanks to an encouraging, caring teaching approach and personal immersion, students gain autonomy, work capacity, self-confidence, maturity and adaptability. They learn technical and digital know-how through their technological immersion and online work. The program also promotes creativity (choice of elective subjects and participation in clubs) and critical thinking skills through Live Sessions. This all-round experience prepares students for their future academic and professional lives.

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The multicultural network:

Thanks to activities and exchanges with other students from all over the world, students discover a multicultural environment that guarantees them the creation of a global network.

Preparing students for new challenges
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Prospects for the future:

The Dual Diploma™ enables students to differentiate themselves and enhance their CVs in the face of other applicants to American universities.

Preparing students for new challenges

I was delighted to learn that my Academica Dual Diploma was recognized as proof of my English level for admission to EHL (École Hôtelière de Lausanne).

  • Ingrid Rozier
  • Dual Diploma obtained in July 2024

How do I get it?

The Dual Diploma program is based on a system of academic credits. A total of 24 credits are required to obtain the American Hgh School Diploma.

Academica®’s international agreements and the program’s pedagogical excellence enable Swiss students to obtain the maximum possible validation: 75% of the 24 credits required to obtain the American high school diploma. These 18 credits are validated with the Swiss high school transcript.

Dual Diploma™ students only need to complete 6 credits online with Acamedica® Internation Studies (AIS) to qualify for the American diploma. Of these 6 remaining credits, 4 are part of the compulsory program and 2 are part of the optional program, enabling students to take subjects of great interest that are not part of the European program, and offering added motivation to students by broadening their vocabulary in subjects they would not otherwise work on in English: Digital Life Management Skills, Photography, Criminology, Psychology, etc.

Required Subjects = 4 credits

  • 2 credits *: English Levels I, II, III or IV
  • 1 credit: United States History
  • 1 credit: United States Government / Economics

*Students must pass two English courses, regardless of their starting level: English I–II, English II–III, English III–IV.

**Student must only choose 2 electives.

 

Elective Subjects = 2 credits

  • Psychology
  • Concepts of Engineering & Technology
  • Criminology
  • Digital Photography
  • Public Speaking and Journalism
  • Life Management Skills
  • College Entrance Exam Prep
  • Advanced English (only for returning students who have completed two DD English courses already)
 

The Dual Diploma offers great flexibility in terms of program length, allowing you to choose from three options depending on your starting year and personal preferences:

This plan offers a more relaxed pace, ideal for those who prefer to spread the additional academic load more gradually.

  • Year 1: English
  • Year 2: English & Elective
  • Year 3: U.S. History & Elective
  • Year 4: U.S. Government / Economics

This plan offers a more relaxed pace, ideal for those who prefer to spread the additional academic load more gradually.

  • Year 1: English
  • Year 2: English & Elective
  • Year 3: U.S. History & Elective

This plan offers a more relaxed pace, ideal for those who prefer to spread the additional academic load more gradually.

  • Year 1: English
  • Year 2: English & Elective

Duration Dual Diploma Start* Dual diploma 1 years 2 years 3 years 4 years
4 years 10VP
11VP
3 years 11VP
1M/ 1ECG
2 years
2M/ 1ECG

* Example canton of Vaud

How do students work?

Each student in the program is assigned a certified American teacher who will guide them through the learning process. 

Activities are delivered via an innovative and interactive online learning platform, Colegia, on which students can work flexibly and autonomously, always guided by the designated teacher. 

Academica provides all the teaching materials students need to consult their lessons, work and complete assignments. From the start of the semester, students can access an overview of tasks and appointments, so they can organize and plan their time and effort in combination with their Swiss studies.

The learning process includes asynchronous activities, assignments and proposals that students must complete each week at their own pace, managing their time. Synchronous group meetings every three weeks, the Live Sessions, are organized with the teacher and the working group.

These live sessions give students the chance to interact with their classmates from all over the world, and exchange lively discussions on a wide range of subjects.

Teachers also have office hours, between 4:30 pm and 9 pm, to ensure fluid communication, by email or Teams, individual follow-up and to answer students’ questions when necessary. Students appreciate their kindness, responsiveness, attentiveness and encouragement. Parents can request an appointment with the American teacher at any time.

Learning the program online is an enriching, stimulating and different process, with access to high-quality study materials. This teaching method is an excellent complement to the Swiss pedagogy.

Preparing students for new challenges

Avec le Dual Diploma programme j’ai découvert une nouvelle méthode d’apprentissage, plus libre mais encadrée, et j’ai beaucoup apprécié la relation établie avec mon enseignante américaine, très proche et convivial.

  • Marina Rozier
  • 3e année du Dual Diploma

The school life experience

The American experience of the Dual Diploma™ program goes beyond simple courses taught in English. Education is seen as a whole: learning about social life matters as much as theoretical learning of knowledge.

Clubs which students can join:

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    Newspaper Club, to write the Dual Diploma Times

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    Social Media Club, where they meet online once a month with their peers. 

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    AIS Amici Club, to meet and chat with students from other countries

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    Photography Club, to improve photography skills and create a digital portfolio

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    Cooking/Baking Club, to learn recipes from around the world

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    Book Club, to discover books and writers from all over the world

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    Art Club, for art lovers

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    Model UN (United Nations), to practice international relations

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Guest Speaker

Throughout the year, Academica International Studies organizes conferences with special guests (the “Special Guest Speaker Sessions”), experts in various fields: politics, entrepreneurship, sports, aerospace, culture, cinema, ecology, … A mine of inspiration and motivation for young adults in the making!

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  • James Burnett

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Graduation

Graduation ceremony in early July.

Preparing students for new challenges

Preparing students for new challenges

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Preparing students for new challenges
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