This Florida B-School Is Partnering With A French ‘Grand École’ To Launch Its First-Ever Dual Degree Program

The University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business is going global in a big way.

In its first-ever dual degree initiative, Sykes is partnering with France’s EDHEC Business School — one of Europe’s most prestigious grandes écoles — to offer graduate students the opportunity to earn two Master of Science degrees, one from each institution.

The program, launching in fall 2025, marks a milestone for UTampa as it deepens its international engagement and academic reach.

“This is more than just a logistical partnership — it’s a strategic alliance between two globally engaged institutions that offer complementary strengths,” says Thom Pittz, UTampa’s associate dean for international programs. “It prepares students not only to succeed across two continents but also to lead with insight, adaptability, and cross-cultural competence.”

A DOZEN STUDENTS SELECTED EACH YEAR FOR THE DUAL DEGREE

The Sykes College of Business is AACSB-accredited and ranks No. 97 in Poets&Quants’ most recent MBA ranking and No. 176 among U.S. undergraduate business schools according to U.S. News.

Sykes is positioning this new program as a launchpad for globally minded professionals. Each year, six students from EDHEC and six from UTampa will be selected for the dual degree. They will complete coursework across both campuses — in downtown Tampa and at EDHEC’s locations in Lille or Nice — write a thesis, and, where applicable, take part in an internship. All of EDHEC’s master’s programs are taught in English.

UTampa students will have the opportunity to study in EDHEC’s MSc programs in Global and Sustainable Business, Finance and Accounting, and Creative Business and Social Innovation. Meanwhile, EDHEC students can choose from UTampa specializations in Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Marketing, and IT Management.

The program bridges European and American business education models by mutually recognizing ECTS and U.S. credits, and streamlining admissions through waivers for standardized test scores and professional experience requirements for qualified candidates.

‘A REAL EDGE AND A HEAD START ON GLOBAL CAREERS’

“We’re proud to team up with top international schools like UTampa to give our students world-class business education and exciting study-abroad options,” says Richard Perrin, associate dean for international relations at EDHEC. “A double degree with a respected U.S. partner gives our students a real edge and a head start on global careers.”

EDHEC, a triple-accredited B-school with over 225 international partnerships, is consistently ranked among Europe’s top business schools; in 2024 it landed 16th internationally in P&Q‘s annual ranking. It welcomes around 700 international exchange students annually to its French campuses and has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and industry relevance.

“We’re happy to invite students from across the Atlantic to come to the Sykes College of Business,” says Frank Ghannadian, dean of the Sykes College of Business, “and for our students to have the opportunity to earn a dual degree from a great business school partner like EDHEC.”

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