Developing a Faculty-Led Course Abroad
Faculty-led education abroad programs enable faculty to build upon their own discipline-specific expertise while leveraging their global connections. Well-designed, faculty-led courses abroad provide students with access to participation in specialized, immersive intercultural learning opportunities.
Faculty-led courses abroad enhance the international offerings within a particular academic department and support the internationalization strategic goals of Penn State and the College of Engineering.
Free-Standing Faculty-Led Programs
What is a faculty-led Free-Standing Program?
A faculty-led freestanding program is a single course, or compilation of courses, related to a theme or topic, where the Penn State faculty leaders deliver all or nearly all academic content during the international experience. Free-standing faculty-led programs occur during the summer for the duration of two to eight weeks.
Timeline for Developing a Free-Standing Faculty-Led Program:
The timeline for proposing a free-standing faculty-led program is determined by Penn State Global.
Embedded Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs
What is a faculty-led Free-Standing Program?
A faculty-led embedded program is a short-term education abroad experience that is offered as a component or supplement to an academic course taught in residence on a Penn State campus or online. The international component is typically scheduled during a semester break or early summer, and it generally lasts 7-14 days.
A faculty-led embedded program can enhance the international offerings within a particular academic department, support internationalization strategic goals, and allow students to gain valuable education abroad experience within the academic structure of a Penn State course.
Timeline for Developing an Embedded Faculty-Led Program:
For embedded courses with travel during fall semester:
August 8 - Phase 1 ("pre-decision") items due, such as general program information, emergency contingency plans, financial considerations, and approval from the Director of Global Engineering Engagement and the College of Engineering’s Financial Officer.
September 30 - Phase 2 ("post-decision") items due, such as final roster, detailed itinerary, and emergency contact information.
For embedded courses with travel over winter break:
August 25 - Phase 1
October 14 - Phase 2
For embedded courses with travel during spring semester:
October 3 - Phase 1
December 14 - Phase 2
For embedded courses with travel during Maymester or summer terms:
January 8 - Phase 1
February 28 - Phase 2
Policies and Procedures for Developing Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs
Program Development:
The Associate Director for the Center for Global Engineering Engagement is the first point of contact for faculty interested in developing an embedded faculty-led program. The AD works with faculty leaders to develop, propose, and execute embedded programs and liaises with Penn State Global to ensure compliance with university policy and procedures.
Customized Program Partner Policy:
All free-standing programs are required to work with a contracted onsite partner (i.e., private educational entity, a full-service program provider, institutional/university partner, non-profit organization, travel logistics company).
