To maintain a healthy portfolio of programs that meet the changing and unique needs of each academic unit, the Study Abroad Office welcomes strategic program proposals that address student needs and align with both Study Abroad and University strategic goals.

Study Abroad programs are developed in collaboration with the Study Abroad Office at least 18 months prior to the start of the program

Strategies for a successful program proposal:

• Utilize the location as context
  • Program proposals are designed to provide a strategic, rigorous academic experiences that bridge academic content with experiential learning and understanding of the local environment and culture.
  • Program includes structured opportunities to interact with individuals or groups in the host culture, including preparation, guided reflection, and critical analysis of that interaction (e.g., direct interaction with local students or others from the host country; strong connections between courses and in-country activities; volunteer opportunities, job shadowing, fieldwork, or research to enhance knowledge of the host culture).
  • Faculty-leaders typically have strong ties to and familiarity with the program site, including an appropriate level of language proficiency or have identified an effective communication strategy.
• Enhance NC State Study Abroad portfolio of offerings and align with departmental priorities
  • Program proposals should contribute to the breadth of international opportunities for NC State students, including various academic disciplines and locations.
  • Strong new program proposals complement, rather than compete with, existing NC State programs.
  • The program must be supported by the relevant department head(s) and align with departmental/college goals and priorities.
  • The program is associated with the location or host institution’s strengths; it ties location to coursework.
• Mitigate risk
  • Faculty leaders must analyze the risks associated with the program and its location and outline ways to mitigate them (strategic questions to mitigate programmatic risks are included as part of the program proposal questionnaire).
  • New programs often utilize an on-site institutional or study abroad partner to help administer the program, providing health and safety, administrative and financial support to the faculty-leader.
• Fulfill administrative requirements collaboratively and ensure sustainability
  • Submit the program development interest form below and meet with the Study Abroad Office at least 18 months prior to the start of the program.
  • Faculty-leaders should plan to offer their program annually or biannually for a period of years.
  • The program budget should be self-supporting, with a competitive program cost aligned with those of other programs in the same region and/or within the same academic discipline.
  • Program proposals must receive department head approval

Program Development Resources