Undergraduate students at Universidad Apec (Unapec) in the Dominican Republic can now pursue a dual degree through the university's partnership with Empire State University, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, regardless of which program they are enrolled in.
The expansion was announced during an event at the Dr. Leonel Rodríguez Rib auditorium on the Unapec campus, where officials said the alliance, which for two decades had been aimed mainly at Business students, now extends to every academic area at the university.
Under the agreement, students can study simultaneously at Unapec and Empire State University while remaining in the Dominican Republic. Once they meet the required conditions, they earn two university degrees: one from their program at Unapec and another from the academic offerings they select at the American institution.
The expansion was formalized in May 2026 through the signing of an addendum to the agreement between the two universities, in Saratoga Springs, in the United States.
Two Decades of Growing Cooperation
Over 20 years of cooperation, 91 Unapec students have earned the dual degree. The past year saw the program's highest enrollment yet, with 14 new participants, a result that helped drive its expansion to the university's other faculties.
Unapec rector Erik Federico Pérez Vega said the lasting alliance reflected a shared commitment to training ethical, competitive leaders with a global mindset who are capable of responding to the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.
Pérez Vega said the initiative marked a new stage in cooperation between the two institutions and an opportunity for Dominican students to gain skills that would let them work in international professional settings.
He noted that the second degree does not need to match the student's Unapec program. A student in the Faculty of Humanities and Law, for example, could complement their studies with an Empire State University program in areas such as International Business or Public Policy, he said.
A Partnership Between the Two Universities
Francesca A. Cichello, senior executive director of the Center for International Education at Empire State University, highlighted the 20 years of collaboration between the two institutions and the academic relationship built over that period.
Cichello explained that the American university is part of the SUNY public university system and said the international experience Empire State University has accumulated allowed it to develop programs tailored to the needs of Dominican students.
She said it made sense for the university to commit to being a thinking partner with Unapec, and pointed to the trust built between the two institutions.
Cichello also said the purpose of the alliance was to keep identifying new academic opportunities for students, including both undergraduate and graduate programs. She added that one of the things that brings the institution satisfaction is watching the professional development of graduates of the program in the Dominican Republic, particularly their entry into the job market and their entrepreneurial ventures.
She said Empire State University was incredibly proud to bring the strength of that international experience to the students.
Program Requirements and Structure
The program runs for approximately two years, alongside a student's undergraduate degree at Unapec. To complete the requirements for the Empire State University degree, participants must pass a minimum of 31 additional credits.
Courses can be taken from the Dominican Republic through virtual formats and flexible academic components.
To enter the program, students must have completed at least 50 credits at Unapec, hold a minimum grade point average of 2.50, and pass the JOR008 English exam with a score of at least 70%. Applications open every quarter.
An International Outlook
For Unapec, expanding the program is part of its internationalization strategy, aimed at letting students gain American academic experience without having to move abroad during their studies.
The degree issued by Empire State University can also be considered in admissions to graduate studies or other academic and professional opportunities, subject to the requirements of each institution, employer or jurisdiction.
Lorette Calix, director of the Empire State University academic program in Santo Domingo, described the expansion as a way of bringing international higher education to a larger number of students, and highlighted the academic and cultural exchange opportunities the alliance creates.
She called it a wonderful way to celebrate 20 years of working together.
The expansion now reaches students in fields including Business Administration, Law, Arts, Software Engineering and the university's other undergraduate programs.
