The Dual Diploma Program

is a globally unique educational program that allows Swiss students to earn the American High School Diploma alongside the Swiss Matura / Specialised School Certificate.

Learn more

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. Students study face-to-face at their home school and in digital immersion at Academica, the American high school renowned for its pedagogical excellence.

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.

3

Develop 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.

4

Create a 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.

5

Open up 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.

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 R.
Dual Diploma obtained in July 2024

The Dual Diploma program is based on a system of academic credits. A total of 24 credits are required to obtain the American High 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 Academica® International 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: 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.

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)

^**Student must only choose 2 electives.

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 balanced pace, ideal for those who wish to approach the academic load with a good balance between their local studies and the international program.

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

This plan offers an intense pace, suited to those seeking to complete the program in the shortest possible time, maximizing their dedication and effort over a short period.

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

Start* Dual Diploma	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Duration Dual Diploma
10e VP/VG					4 years
11e VP/VG					4 years
11e VP/VG					3 years
1M/1EC G					3 years
1M/1EC G					2 years
2M/2EC G					2 years

* Example canton of Vaud

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.

With the Dual Diploma program, I discovered a new learning method, more free but supervised, and I really appreciated the relationship established with my American teacher, who was very close and friendly.

Marina R.
3rd year of the Dual Diploma

Clubs which students can join:

Newspaper Club, to write the Dual Diploma Times
Social Media Club, where they meet online once a month with their peers.
AIS Amici Club, to meet and chat with students from other countries
Photography Club, to improve photography skills and create a digital portfolio
Cooking/Baking Club, to learn recipes from around the world
Book Club, to discover books and writers from all over the world
Art Club, for art lovers
Model UN (United Nations), to practice international relations
Learn more

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!

Sunita Williams

Sunita Williams is an American astronaut and retired U.S. Navy officer, known for holding the record for most female spacewalks. In 2024, she became the first woman to fly a test flight of an orbital spacecraft with Boeing. Her mission was extended over nine months due to ISS technical issues. She remains one of the most experienced spacewalkers globally.
Scott Rosenzweig

Scott Rosenzweig, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Nevada, joined the organization in 2018 and became CEO in 2021. With a 30-year background in performing arts, including work with Disneyland and Madame Tussaud’s, he later led training at GameWorks. His unique path blends creativity and leadership, driving his passion for granting transformative wishes to children facing critical illnesses across Southern Nevada.
James Burnett

James Burnett is a professional voice actor with over 20 years of experience, starting at age 16 by mimicking voices before developing his own distinct sound. His background in music and school choirs shaped his vocal range. James chooses projects that reflect his passions, keeping his work authentic and enjoyable. He’s known for his versatility and dedication to the voice acting craft.

Graduation

Graduation ceremony in early July.

As Seen in La Côte

La Côte spotlights how the Dual Diploma program is reshaping education in Switzerland, giving students the chance to graduate with two diplomas and a world of possibilities.

Preparing students for new challenges

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The Dual Diploma Program

What are the strengths of this program?

Earn the High School Diploma:

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

Develop soft skills:

Create a multicultural network:

Open up prospects for the future:

How do I get it?

Required Subjects = 4 credits

Elective Subjects = 2 credits**

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:

How do students work?

The school life experience

Clubs which students can join:

Guest Speaker:

Sunita Williams

Scott Rosenzweig

James Burnett

Graduation

As Seen in La Côte

Preparing students for new challenges