This paper seeks to understand the background of expanding Joint Degree (JD) programs in Europe. Development of the JD among different countries may enforce institutional systems and national legislative change. Although the consequence is important, higher education institutions (HEI) show positive attitude in implementing JD programs assuming their efficiency.
It presumes a significant role of the higher education policies of the European Union (EU) in the expansion of the HD and relationship between supranational organization and its member States on the transformation of organizational environment of the European HEIs. Restricted power of the supranational organizations in the domain of education has expanded rapidly to change their governance structure in Europe. Special attention on mobility and cooperation among HEIs by offering a platform for information exchanges and communication and facilitated development of joint study programs which may lead to the development of the JD.
In addition, a funding scheme named Erasmus Mundus (EM) supported HEIs to develop JDs and adopt different tools for convergence of the educational system of the region. The logic of the Lisbon agenda that state education to play an important role in knowledge based economy and competitive environment has supported such funding schemes to implement new standards in European higher education.