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Study Abroad

Group Programs Reviews and Assessment

The Study Abroad Office completes an annual and ongoing assessment of all programs, with the goal of enhancing their success and ensuring that programs support strategic goals.

Program Assessments Include:

  • a debrief with the program director and study abroad staff
  • student program evaluations (program evaluations compliment course evaluations, focusing on programmatic support, global competencies, health and safety)
  • program budget review
  • feedback from department heads
  • risk management
  • student interest and program enrollments

The primary goal is to work with program directors and corresponding academic units to make program improvements and address any issues; however, the Study Abroad Office reserves the right to cancel programs should it determine that strategic goals for effective program delivery are not being met and high-quality programming cannot be maintained.

The Study Abroad Office, as well as the appropriate department and/or college, reserves the right to cancel or not approve an application to renew a study abroad program if any of the following occur:

  • events at the study abroad site(s) indicate that the security of students cannot be reasonably protected
  • the program director does not fulfill his/her responsibilities as defined in the contract and the on-site program-director handbook
  • the program director has been unwilling to collaborate with the Study Abroad Office on the management of the study abroad program. Examples include, but are not limited to the following situations:
    • program director does not pursue obtaining solid, accurate estimates from vendors for on-site program expenses and/or does not actively engage in the program budgeting process
    • program director does not submit program receipts within the 20 day period upon return from the program
    • program director or faculty are not responsive to requests and communications from the Study Abroad Office
  • the minimum number of students has not been met
    • first-year programs are expected to reach a minimum enrollment of 12 students
    • programs should have a minimum enrollment for 15 students in subsequent years
    • after several years, if a program cannot meet minimum enrollment, the program may not be recommended for renewal
  • program evaluations contain consistent negative feedback from students and changes to the program have not led to improved feedback
    • programs will be evaluated regularly by participants, program administrators, instructors, and the appropriate college-based liaison to determine the extent to which program objectives are being met. If necessary, changes or adjustments will be made in light of the findings. If after changes have been implemented and program evaluations have not shown improvement, the program may be recommended for cancellation.
  • the status of the program director or faculty member in the department/college/university changes
  • a complete renewal application is not submitted by the deadline, or information is insufficient to assess program viability
  • the Study Abroad staff determines that the program is no longer feasible for financial, organizational, or other reasons