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- How does a faculty member get started in working with Education Abroad?
- What happens during these initial consultations with Education Abroad?
- Who submits proposals for new international programs?
- Who receives new program proposals?
- What are some key issues Education Abroad will consider when reviewing proposals?
- Who has the authority to approve new programs?
- What is the role of the Education Abroad Advisory Committee (EAAC)?
- What are the deadlines for submitting proposals?
- How does Education Abroad assist faculty with program development?
- Is it necessary for Education Abroad to review recurring programs?
- Is Insurance required?
- What about programs for graduate students?
- Who receives embedded program proposals from University College campuses?
- What role does the Risk Management Office have?
1. How does a faculty member get
started in working with Education Abroad?
A: A faculty member interested in most matters relating to Penn
State Education Abroad should begin with an email, telephone call, or in-person
consultation with an Education Abroad representative. The first point of contact
should be Connie Bauer, who will direct the inquiry to the appropriate
Education Abroad staff member (email: csb21@ip.psu.edu; Tel. 814-863-3667).
2. What happens during these initial consultations with
Education Abroad?
A: Typically faculty members will discuss in general terms the
proposed program, its academic objectives, rationale and feasibility and the
program's administration and logistics, such as budget, location, means of
travel, proposed dates, faculty leadership, etc. Education Abroad will describe
the various administrative models for implementation, such as those
administered directly by Education Abroad, Penn State Outreach, external
consortia, etc; and describe financial and budgeting models and procedures
regarding course accreditation, enrollment management, health insurance,
financial aid/scholarships, student services and risk management.
3. Who submits proposals for new international programs?
A: Proposals for new programming are submitted to Education Abroad
by Penn State faculty, with the support of the associate dean or director of
academic affairs of the sponsoring Penn State college or campus. Overseas
institutions who want to propose programs must do so through a Penn State
academic department, since Education Abroad does not accept proposals from
colleges, universities or program providers external to the Penn State system.
Education Abroad will assist non-Penn State institutions that request
affiliation for new programs by facilitating introductions with the appropriate
academic department. [Note: With the exception of Undergraduate Education
Abroad (see above), all other program types must be reviewed with each
implementation of the program.]
4. Who receives new program proposals?
A: All programs must secure initial approval by the associate dean
or director of academic affairs of the sponsoring Penn State college or campus
before submitting documentation to Education Abroad. New undergraduate
education abroad program proposals are then submitted to the Academic
Coordinator (Dr. Kristi A. Wormhoudt, kaw7@ip.psu.edu), who is
responsible for the tracking of each proposal from initial contact to
implementation. Graduate and Embedded Education Abroad program proposals are
submitted to Connie Bauer(csb21@psu.edu), who will assist with all matters relating to health
insurance, student services and risk management.
A: While review criteria will vary by program type, generally all program proposals must demonstrate that the following conditions have: 1.) Approval of the associate dean or director of academic affairs of the sponsoring Penn State college or campus; 2.) Assurance of a reliable support infrastructure at the international site (including provisions for health, safety and security); and 3.) Overall academic merit, market trend feasibility, comprehensive student services, meaningful levels of intercultural integration, and financial viability.
6. Who has the authority to approve new programs?
A: Decisions about program approval will be based upon support and
input from three sources: 1) Approval of the associate dean or director of
academic affairs of the sponsoring Penn State college or campus that will
accredit the courses offered within the frame of the program; 2) Education
Abroad staff (undergraduate education abroad programs only); and 3) the Vice
Provost for international programs.
7. What are the deadlines for submitting proposals?
A: Successfully developing a new program can take many months. All
programs must allow ample time for Education Abroad review, development and
implementation (promotion, accreditation, application, etc.)
Undergraduate Education Abroad: In addition to the initial consultation
with Education Abroad staff, persons proposing new program will submit the new
program proposal template to the Academic Coordinator of Education Abroad (Dr.
Kristi Wormhoudt, kaw7@IP.psu.edu). Generally program
proposals should be submitted 12-18 months prior to the anticipated program
implementation. Note: It is imperative that summer program proposals be
submitted no later than the summer prior to allow adequate review and
development. Only when officially approved should promotional activities be
initiated.
Graduate and Embedded Education Abroad: Section A (Program Development)
must be submitted at least 4-6 months prior to program departure but not before
securing program approval by the associate dean or director of academic affairs
of the sponsoring Penn State college or campus. Section B (Program
Implementation) must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks prior to program
departure.
8. How does Education Abroad assist faculty with program
development?
A: Education Abroad offers advice and consultation to faculty regarding procedures for proposing programs, budget development, health and safety, risk management, health insurance, student services, etc. Education Abroad can also provide assistance with determining grade and credit conversions and offer suggestions to ensure a meaningful intercultural and academic experience. To the extent possible, Education Abroad will also assist Penn State faculty with document preparation. (Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Penn State faculty member to develop and submit necessary documentation.)
9. Is it necessary for Education Abroad to review recurring
programs?
A: With the exception of undergraduate education abroad, all
international programs (credit and non-credit bearing) must be reviewed with
each implementation. Although these programs may recur from year to year, they
must, without exception, follow the procedures as outlined. Unless there have
been substantial changes, it is only necessary for Education Abroad staff to
review semester program proposals one time. As appropriate, Education Abroad
will manage recurring semester programs in collaboration with the sponsoring
college or campus.
10. Is HTH Worldwide Insurance required?
A: In keeping with best practices in the field of international
education, Education Abroad and the Penn State Student Health Insurance have
collaborated to provide a comprehensive student health insurance plan that will
provide consistent health insurance coverage and emergency assistance for Penn
State students studying or traveling abroad. The insurance plan is underwritten
by HTH Worldwide Insurance must be processed for all international programs
regardless of duration or other insurance coverage. Non-credit bearing programs
should contact Penn State Student Health directly.
11. What about programs for graduate students?
A: International Programs has been charged by the provost with the
responsibility for coordinating, reviewing, administering, evaluating, and
providing oversight of all programs offered for Penn State academic credit
outside the United States. This includes programs for both graduate and
undergraduate students. As embedded programming frequently involves graduate
students, these programs must follow the procedures outlined in the Embedded
Education Abroad Programs Checklist. Graduate education abroad courses must
follow the procedures outlined in the Graduate Education Abroad Course
Development Checklist.
12. Who receives embedded program proposals from University
College campuses?
A: All embedded program proposals for University College campuses
must be reviewed by the International Studies Review Committee (ISRC). An
abstract, short-term program proposal, itinerary, and a syllabus for each
course offered on the program should be submitted to the Chair of the ISRC (Dr.
Deborah Gill, djg25@psu.edu). The ISRC will then review the proposal and contact the
sponsoring faculty member with the next step in the process.
13. What role does the Risk Management Office have?
A: Education Abroad works in close collaboration with the Risk
Management Office in the review of all programs offered for Penn State academic
credit outside the United States. Questions regarding institutional risk should
be directed to the Risk Management Office at 814-865-6307. Sponsors of
non-credit bearing programs should work directly with the Risk Management
Office toward the goal of successfully completing the International Group
Travel Risk Management Checklist.