Faculty-led Program Proposals

Successful faculty-led study abroad program development is a combination of paperwork, legwork, and teamwork. Early planning is important to ensure adequate time to develop the program, secure the required campus approvals, and recruit students. Faculty should expect to begin the process a year to 18 months in advance.

Faculty-led study abroad programs must be reviewed by the campus’ Study Abroad Advisory Committee and the program must be approved by the college deans of the academic department offering the program, the Office of International Education, the CSU, Chico Risk Manager and, when offered as a self-support program, the Dean of Regional & Continuing Education. The deadline to submit a faculty-led preliminary proposal is usually approximately one academic year prior to departure.

First-time Proposals:

1. Consult the following websites before developing a preliminary proposal.

Note: The California State University prohibits study abroad in countries on the U.S. State Department Travel Warning list.

CSU, Chico Study Abroad website to determine if there are other programs already in existence on the same topic and/or in the same location.
US Department of State for travel warnings and other information on student travel to the region.
Center for Disease Control to learn more about health risks in the host country.

2. Confirm support of your department chair and college dean

3. Discuss your program concept with the Director of the Office of International Education (Frank Li) and Study Abroad Coordinator to determine your proposal deadline and whether the program should be developed as "State-Support" or "Self-Support." To make an appointment, call (530) 898-5415.

4. Consult the following checklists for comprehensive instructions and information on developing a faculty-led proposal:

State-Support Faculty-led Programs
Self-Support Faculty-led Programs (also, consult RCE website for further information and instructions)

5. Complete and submit the "First-Time" Preliminary Proposal Form to the Study Abroad Coordinator, Zip 680 or via email to jlgruber@csuchico.edu.

6. Wait for further instructions (in the form of a memo) from the chair of the Study Abroad Advisory Committee. Once you receive the memo, you are ready to develop a Program Plan, which should be submitted with all supporting documents to the Study Abroad Coordinator, zip 680. Every effort should be made to submit these documents by the deadline posted in the memo to ensure a timely review by the committee.

7. The Chair of the Study Abroad Advisory Committee will provide you with further feedback and instructions after the committee reviews the Program Plan, and will also send a routing form for signature to all relevant campus officials, including your chair and dean, the campus Senior International Officer, the campus Risk Manager. and, when relevant, the dean of RCE. These signatures are required for further program development. The chair will inform you once the program receives official approval from all signatories.

Note: Official recruitment of students may not occur until after the Program Plan has been reviewed and approved by all signatories.

Returning Programs:

1. Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator for the deadline to submit your proposal to the Study Abroad Advisory Committee.

2. Ensure the country has not recently been placed on the U.S. Department Of State Travel Warning List.

3. Confirm support of your department chair and college dean.

4. Complete and submit the "Returning" Preliminary Proposal Form to the Study Abroad Coordinator, Zip 680 or jlgruber@csuchico.edu.

5. Wait for further instructions (in the form of a memo) from the chair of the Study Abroad Advisory Committee. Once you receive the memo, you are ready to develop a Program Plan, which should be submitted with all supporting documents to the Study Abroad Coordinator, zip 680. Every effort should be made to submit these documents by the deadline posted in the memo to ensure timely processing and program development.

6. The Chair of the Study Abroad Advisory Committee will provide you with further feedback and instructions after the committee reviews the Program Plan, and will also send a routing form for signature to all relevant campus officials, including your chair and dean, the campus Senior International Officer, the campus Risk Manager and, when relevant, the dean of RCE. These signatures are required for further program development. The chair will inform you once the program receives official approval from all signatories.

Note: Official recruitment of students may not occur until after the Program Plan has been reviewed and approved by all signatories.