Developing a New International Faculty-Directed Program

Faculty are key to the sustainable success of study abroad at Arizona State University. Faculty have a tremendous influence on students' learning and development. In addition to their interaction with students in the classroom where we encourage them to promote study abroad, faculty also have the opportunity to work with the Study Abroad Office (SAO) to plan, create, and teach on a study abroad program. The SAO provides administrative and logistical support for all faculty-directed study abroad programs, which offer educational opportunities to nearly a thousand students each year. ASU Faculty-Directed programs are designed to encourage a diverse variety of students to study abroad, and these opportunities would not be possible without the dedication and effort of the faculty who direct these programs.

The information provided in this section of our website is intended for faculty who, with the support of their department and college/school, would seek the assistance of the SAO in the development and administration of a Faculty-Directed study abroad program.

Faculty Director Grant Opportunities

Faculty Director Grant Opportunities

The Study Abroad Office is pleased to offer a limited number of grants to program leaders interested in proposing a new program for the academic year 2020-2021. The grants are intended to help defray the costs of traveling to a destination so that research and planning might be undertaken that will help with the design of a new faculty-directed study abroad program.

We have determined several program needs/gaps for ASU students. The top five priority program needs/gaps include:

  1. Programs in Asia;
  2. Programs that leverage corporate partnerships (example: some academic units have strategic partnerships with corporations or other organizations that may afford students internship experience or introduce them to key contacts in their field and/or that may provide funding);
  3. Programs that feature internship, research and/or service-learning components;
  4. Short-term programs (two weeks or less in the summer; may require some online coursework);
  5. Programs with low program fees (below $4,000 for three-credit summer programs, below $5,000 for six-credit summer programs and below $2,500 for Global Intensive Experience (GIE) programs).

Current ASU faculty or staff members may submit a proposal to be considered for one of these small travel grants in order to establish contacts and gather information that will assist them in the development of the program. Strong proposals will consider one or more of the aforementioned program needs/gaps and will provide a clear outline for how the funds will be used and a thorough vision of what work will be done on-site to forward the creation of the new program. Please feel free to contact your International Coordinator to brainstorm ideas!

Two application cycles will be available for the 2020-2021 academic year.  For faculty interested in developing Pre-Fall, Fall, Winter Break, Pre-Spring or Spring programs, applications will be due on July 1, 2019. For faculty interested in developing Spring Break, Post-Spring or Summer programs, applications will be due on February 1, 2020. 

Recipients will be expected to submit a proposal for their program within four weeks of returning from their exploratory trip. 

Application coming soon.

Benefits, Responsibilities and Support

Benefits, Responsibilities and Support

Study abroad benefits faculty and students in numerous ways.  Below are just a few benefits that faculty receive by leading a program and that students receive by participating:

For faculty:

  • Significantly enhances one’s teaching, research, and service
  • Provides global competence which can then be passed on to students
  • Affords an opportunity to connect with students in a more meaningful way as opposed to large lecture-style courses
  • Adds experiential learning objectives to your courses
  • Provides a fully-supported method for one to travel and conduct academic work abroad

For students:

  • Classes are taught by ASU faculty
  • Students earn credit towards their major, minor and/or degree program
  • Programs are pre-planned and structured
  • Programs are sponsored by ASU departments/schools/colleges
  • Students have the opportunity to build strong connections with ASU faculty members

While it can be very rewarding leading your own study abroad program, faculty directors do take on a host of responsibilities.  These include:

  • Completing and submitting the Program and Academic Description Form and Syllabus Template
  • Assisting with budget development in partnership with an International Coordinator in the Study Abroad Office
  • Coordinating program logistics (housing, meals, transportation) with the support of an International Coordinator
  • Arranging and managing program academics (syllabus, textbooks, international partners, guest lecturers, etc.)
  • Actively promoting program to obtain target enrollment
  • Reviewing applications and selecting participants
  • Facilitating a site-specific pre-departure orientation
  • Completing mandatory pre-departure preparation for all program leaders
  • Providing an on-site orientation upon arrival in host country
  • Responding to student misconduct, behavioral/personal problems
  • Remaining on-call 24/7 for emergency response procedures
  • Submitting travel advance reconciliation within 7 days of return

But never fear, the Study Abroad Office is here to help!  Here are just a few of the ways in which we provide support to faculty leading programs:

  • Work with Faculty Directors to create safe, geographically unique, academically sound, and fiscally responsible programs
  • Provide guidance regarding best practices for education abroad programming
  • Aid with logistical arrangements
  • Create and manage program budget in conjunction with the Faculty Director
  • Manage all liability documents
  • Review applications and selects participants
  • Give regular enrollment updates on program numbers
  • Oversee billing and financial transactions
  • Help with program promotion in coordination with Faculty Director
  • Offer student advising and pre-departure orientations
  • Provide emergency support
  • Initiate and facilitate post-program evaluation

Types of Faculty-Directed Programs

Types of Faculty-Directed Programs

ASU faculty may propose a summer or semester faculty-directed (FD) program and/or a Global Intensive Experience (GIE) program.  While many of the processes are similar, here are a few distinctive elements:

Faculty-Directed (FD) Summer Programs

Faculty-Directed (FD) Semester Programs

Global Intensive Experience (GIE) Programs

Program Duration

2-9 weeks during the summer

Dynamically dated program that takes place during A, B, or C session during a semester

7-12 day program which takes place during academic breaks

Course Format

Coursework is taught during program and may include limited pre or post trip work

Coursework is taught during program and may include limited pre or post trip work

The program may be a standalone 1-credit course or attached to a semester course

Compensation

Faculty may receive a summer salary per the program budget

Faculty teach this course(s) as part of their semester teaching load and therefore do not receive additional salary

Faculty teach this course(s) as part of their semester teaching load and therefore do not receive additional salary

Budget Model

Tuition is rolled into a program fee that students pay

Students pay their ASU tuition as normal and a separate program fee

Students pay their ASU tuition as normal and a separate program fee

Enrollment

Minimum of 10 students

Minimum of 10 students

Minimum of 10 students

Program Staffing

Program Staffing

All programs must be led by two ASU personnel, including at least one ASU faculty member.  All instruction must be conducted by faculty. There are strict guidelines governing who is eligible to serve as the faculty director and the support staff on a program.  Please see the full eligibility requirements in the ASU Faculty Director Handbook or discuss with your International Coordinator when proposing program staff.

ASU is deeply committed to positioning itself as one of the great new universities by seeking to build excellence, enhance access and have an impact on our community, state, nation and the world. To do that requires our faculty and staff to reflect the intellectual, gender, ethnic and cultural diversity of our nation and world so that our students learn from the broadest perspectives. When identifying faculty for study abroad programs, the colleges must consider diversity and inclusion, including gender diversity, in program leadership. When programs are directed by two men or two women, it is recommended to diversify the support team with a third employee (in a non-teaching role, if necessary) to develop a team of two men/one woman or two women/one man, when possible.

Faculty members who need assistance in identifying a support faculty or staff member should submit a proposal without naming support individuals three months ahead of the posted deadlines below.  The Study Abroad Office will work with the Study Abroad Faculty Advisory Committee to find potential candidates.

Proposing a Program

Proposing a Program

The Study Abroad Office has a formalized proposal process for all faculty members wishing to propose a program.

Here is a checklist  to help you get started:

Ready to propose?

Proposal Timelines

Proposal Timelines

The ideal planning time for a program is 12-18 months out from the term for which you are proposing.  All new and continuing proposals and faculty/staff will be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Proposer’s Chair/Director and Dean
  • Study Abroad Office (Director, Associate Director of International Health, Safety, and Security)
  • Office of the University Provost (Vice Provost for Academic Personnel, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, University Provost)

Please see the following table for the deadlines per program term. Study Abroad Office staff are ready to begin supporting your proposal as early as possible!

Program Proposal Deadlines:

Pre-Fall,
Fall Semester

Winter Break,
Pre-Spring

Spring Semester

Spring Break,
Post Spring

Summer

July 15 (Priority)

September 1 (Final)

November 1 (Priority)

February 1 (Final)

November 1 (Priority)

February 1 (Final)

February 1 (Priority)

April 1 (Final)

July 15 (Priority)

September 1 (Final)

Upcoming Information Sessions & Resources

Upcoming Information Sessions & Resources

Information Sessions

DateTimeRoomRSVP Link
Proposing a Faculty-Directed Study Abroad Program
(for faculty in The College)		Tuesday, April 232pm - 3pmArmstrong Hall 250RSVP Here
Proposing a Faculty-Directed Study Abroad ProgramWednesday, May 811am - 12pmStudy Abroad Office or via ZoomRSVP Here
Proposing a Faculty-Directed Study Abroad ProgramTuesday, May 1411am - 12pmStudy Abroad Office or via ZoomRSVP Here
Proposing a Faculty-Directed Study Abroad ProgramMonday, August 59am - 10amStudy Abroad Office or via ZoomRSVP Here

Contact Assistant Director, Dr. Mandy Nydegger (Mandy.Nydegger@asu.edu) with questions.

Recruitment Events

Program leaders with approved programs for the current academic year will be invited to promote their program at one or more events organized by the SAO. The schedule for the 2019-2020 academic year can be viewed at this flyer. Reach out to your International Coordinator for further details.

Resources