A Guide for Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs

1. A Guide for Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs

2. AGENDA • Current faculty-led programs at a glance • Designing your faculty-led program • Study abroad faculty-experience and advice • Q&A and individual discussions

3. Our Mission The mission of the Texas State Study Abroad Office is to support the comprehensive internationalization plan of Texas State University by providing safe, accessible, academically rigorous, geographically diverse, and culturally enriching global educational experiences to our students http://www.studyabroad.txstate.edu/students/Becoming-Globally-Engaged.html

6. 2017-2018 FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS Total number of programs: 41 Total number of faculty members: 61 Total number of countries: 25

7. 2017-2018 DESTINATIONS Austria Belize China Costa Rica Czech Republic Dominican Rep. England France Germany Ghana Guyana India Ireland Italy Japan Mexico Morocco Nicaragua Peru Scotland South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland The Netherlands

8. STUDY ABROAD COURSES • More than 50 %of the content will need to take place abroad • Must adhere to the same minimum requirement for number of contact hours and academic integrity as on-campus courses

9. CRITERIA FOR STUDY ABROAD FACULTY • Full-time Texas State University faculty members are preferred • Prior study abroad experience is preferred, but not an absolute requirement • The ability to speak the language of the host country is desired, but not required • Approval by the Department Chair, Dean of College, and AVP for International Affairs

10. APPROVAL PROCESS • Submission of Feasibility Proposal to be reviewed and approved by the Faculty-led Study Abroad Advisory Board. • Submission of the Study Abroad application to be approved by the Texas State University System Board of Regents.

11. BEFORE SUBMITTING THE FEASIBILITY PROPOSAL • Meet with the Study Abroad Office for guidance in developing a program. • Discuss the program you plan to propose with your Department Chair and College Dean.

12. ADVISORY BOARD FOR FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS The board is composed by members with knowledge and experience with faculty-led programs. Their main purpose is to make recommendations for stronger and more successful programs

13. DEVELOPING YOUR FEASIBILITY PROPOSAL Academic Component • Ensure your program supports the overall mission of the institution, college, and department • The learning outcomes of this program should be clear • Explain how the proposed courses to be taught abroad are connected to the location • As you plan the cultural experiences in your program, consider opportunities that will enhance global competency

14. Cost effectiveness: • Consider the cost of this program compare to the cost of studying on campus • See how the cost of your program compares to the cost of other Texas State faculty-led programs • Keep in mind financial aid requirements; students must maintain full-time status • Keep in mind any services and/or activities that are not essential in your program that might be impacting the cost significantly • Maintain a good balance between the number of faculty and students given the academic and logistical support available • Maintain a good balance between the number of faculty and students given the minimum and maximum number of students expected in your program

15. Program Marketability: • Consider the minimum number of students required for this program • Align with the Texas State academic calendar and students’ degree plans • Explore with other academic department the possibility to cross-list courses • Aim for your program to fit a needed academic or geographic niche not currently available to Texas State students • Prepare a good continuity plan for your program

16. Health and Safety: • Be familiar with the area • Identify resources available to participants (i.e. hospitals, clinics, embassy, etc.) • Full-service third party provider who will be available for 24/7 assistance is required • Full-service third party provider’s copy of the emergency response procedures they have in place • No locations with high-risk (level 3 or 4) according to the Department of State • Any potentially high-risk activities planned for this program must be essential to the academic objectives of your program

17. STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION Once you have received approval from the Advisory Board for Faculty-led Programs Abroad through the Study Abroad Office, you may begin working on the Study Abroad application.

18. APPROVAL PROCESS

19. EXTENSION vs. RESIDENTCREDIT • Extension: client-funded • Formula funded: courses are funded through the department or college • Whether courses are offered as resident credit or extension credit, the Study Abroad Office will provide the same support service for your program

20. FACULTY SALARY Extension Credit Payment for teaching in a study abroad program is based upon the tuition revenues paid by students who enroll in faculty-led programs. Faculty members are paid at $115/credit hour/student. If you are employed on a twelve-month appointment, you may not receive compensation for teaching in a faculty-led program abroad. Formula Funded Credit Same salary as when teaching classes on campus. The salary will be paid using funds from the academic department.

21. COURSE INSTRUCTION • Texas State faculty teach 100% • Local faculty teach 100% • Combination

22. FACULTY TRAVEL EXPENSES Faculty travel expenses are covered by the program (airfare, lodging, insurance, meals and incidentals)

23. OPERATING FUNDS You will maintain a log during the study abroad program and keep all receipts for expenses occurred during the program. The Study Abroad Office in coordination with the Travel Office will reconcile all receipts and expense reports.

24. PROGRAM PROVIDERS FOR ALL NEW PROGRAMS Third-party providers develop tailor-made study abroad programs in which Texas State retains the academic control for the program, but the provider makes all of the logistical arrangement, including: • Housing • Meals • Classrooms • Cultural and academic visits • Transportation • Instruction • Etc.

25. EXAMPLES OF PROGRAM PROVIDERS • Local universities, schools or institutes • Travel agencies • Local experts • Study abroad organizations • Contracts will be needed! • Contact the Study Abroad Office for Texas State template

26. GROUP TRAVEL Group travel for and Texas State faculty-led program is not required and is usually not recommended GROUP LEADERS The Study Abroad Office recommends that each program has an alternate leader who can assume responsibilities in the event you are unable to lead the group or must return early. Students must never be left alone while the program is in progress

27. PARTICIPATION OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS When planning you program, you should carefully consider the inclusion in the program of your friends, family, and significant others who are not students, faculty, or program staff. If children accompany you or another faculty member, a spouse or legal guardian should be on the program’s site to serve as caregiver and to take legal custody of the child in the event of an emergency

28. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE STUDY ABROAD OFFICE • Maintain a database of study abroad students • Pay bills • Maintain program budgets • Provide health insurance • Collect receipts and report travel expenses to the Accounting Office • Program evaluations • Process travel-advance checks/deposits for APDs • Provide information and guidance • Assist faculty with completion of forms • Faculty workshops • Advertisement • Student registration • Review and process approval of all contracts • Assist the APD with program-specific requirements

29. STUDY ABROAD MINI GRANT • Total available: $15,000 per year • Eligibility: new country, new faculty, new discipline • Maximum $3,000 per program A) $500 faculty stipend B) Exploratory site visit C) Start-up expenses D) Combination Priority: Programs in collaboration with partner university

30. Study Abroad Office Thornton International House 344 W. Woods Street San Marcos, TX 78666-4616 phone: 512.245.1967 studyabroad@txstate.edu