Faculty-Led Course Approval Process

Are you a faculty member interested in creating and leading a faculty-led study abroad program? 

WORLD:The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning has made it easy through their step-by-step instructions on creating your own program; from choosing a destination to advertising the program to students, this page will help you do just that.

To learn about how to lead a faculty-led program, please view the faculty-led study abroad approval process.

SU Travel Guidelines

Stetson University organizes all travel programs based on the Forum on Education Abroad's Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad and the Code of Ethics for Education Abroad. The Guidelines and Standards provide a strong foundation for managing the risk from the initial orientation of students, through the operation of the program, and back on campus after the program. 

Choosing a Destination and Type of Program

Faculty are encouraged to select study abroad destinations that align closely with their course topic and academic learning goals. While faculty may choose locations for a variety of reasons—such as existing contacts, prior travel or research experience, and field of interest—the most successful programs are those in which the destination meaningfully enhances the course content. Programs are most effective when faculty leverage local connections to arrange site visits, guest lectures, or other experiential learning opportunities that deepen students’ understanding of the subject matter within its global context.
 

You may want to consider the following questions:

• Will the program be based in one city/town with side excursions, or will it involve traveling within one country or to several countries?

• Will the students stay in a home-stay, dormitory, hostel or hotel?

• How long will the course be and during which session? Some programs have on-campus sessions before and/or after the study abroad component; others have an online component in advance of travel; others take place only while abroad. Length of program can vary from 5 days (fall break) abroad to 10 weeks abroad.

Writing a Proposal

To have a study abroad course approved, the interested faculty member must complete a Faculty-Led Proposal. Faculty should keep in mind the following when completing the form:

• To which group of students is this course geared? Choosing the course offering while keeping in mind the students' needs is important in making sure you are targeting a large enough group to ensure minimum enrollment numbers.

• If applicable, include both undergraduate courses and graduate courses. Often, study abroad courses include a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, with different advanced-level coursework required of those enrolled in the graduate course.
• What is the best method to integrate the location to ensure intentional international interactions for the participants with the culture of the country?

Creating a budget

Once your proposal has been submitted, the Study Abroad Office will assist you in creating a program budget.

• The following costs are included in the program budget:

  • Application fee, student room and board, guide fees/entrance fees, in-country transportation, and faculty costs. The budget also notes the estimated amount of spending money the student will need along with other costs, such as airfare, passport fee and/or visa fee (if needed) and textbooks. Faculty costs include faculty lodging, per diem/M&IE, transportation, and any other relevant costs. Faculty costs are allocated out by the minimum number of students required for the program.

• Per diem is calculated at 50 percent of USG per diem or $100 max (whichever is lower), as of the day of the budget submission. USG per diem levels can be found at the U.S. State Department.

• Other costs included in the budget are faculty expenses, marketing posters, contingency (currently 5 percent), insurance and a fee for group materials.

• The budget template can be accessed by starting the Faculty-Led Proposal or by reaching out to the WORLD office (world@stetson.edu).

Advertising the Program

Once the proposal has been approved and the budget finalized, WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning will create a program brochure and release it via the online application system. In addition to advertising through SU-International's media campaigns, WORLD will advertise the programs at campus-wide study abroad fairs, classroom presentations, WORLD Ambassador tabling events, and additional campus events.  Furthermore, WORLD assists with campus marketing through social media, campus posters, emails, and other campus outreach options. If there is a specific need of your program to utilize outreach to students, do not hesitate to contact WORLD for assistance with the process.

After the application deadline

• Faculty members are provided access to WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning online application tracking system to approve applicants and view the current program roster.

• Application Fee: Students will apply for the program through the Study Abroad online application system.  The applicant is not considered in the program until the application fee is paid online.

• Payment: Students will pay the program fees through Student Accounts as they do tuition.

 

WORLD will conduct a series of mandatory pre-departure training sessions and meetings for faculty and students in preparation for leading a group.

• • Faculty receive individualized support throughout the program planning process. WORLD staff provide one-on-one guidance on key topics such as program logistics, student safety, and risk management. Prior to departure, faculty also receive a comprehensive handbook that includes essential information about health and accident insurance, emergency procedures, communication protocols, and important contact numbers.

• • Student Pre-departure Orientations occur during the spring semester and include information on the following:

• SU's health and accident insurance

• Personal health and security

• Culture shock and cultural adaptability

• Money matters and financial aid

• What to pack

Failure to attend a session could result in a student offer of admission being rescinded!