Customized faculty-led study abroad programs are credit-bearing, proposed by Chico State faculty, and developed in collaboration with International Education & Global Engagement (IEGE), Professional & Continuing Education (PCE), and competitive service providers. Together, we promote and support international education opportunities for faculty and students by administering intentionally designed and academically rigorous study abroad programs.
Proposal review is conducted by the Study Abroad Advisory Committee (SAAC). To propose a faculty-led study abroad program, programs, and faculty must meet the following criteria and eligibility:
Faculty Experience/Expertise:
- Has taught abroad previously and/or has visited or spent time in the program host country or region.
- Speaks or has familiarity with the language of the host country, has taught courses specific to the program host country or region, and/or can demonstrate a host institution or provider will help facilitate in-country support.
- Minimum one year of experience teaching at Chico State at the time of proposal submission.
- Led by faculty with a record of teaching excellence and demonstrated active involvement with students.
- Committed to actively marketing the program and demonstrates a recruitment plan and the potential to recruit 15+ participants.
- Dedicated to working collaboratively with the International Education & Global Engagement (IEGE), Professional & Continuing Education (PCE), and the host university or service providers (if applicable).
- Prioritizes efforts to increase the accessibility of study abroad, focusing on students in underrepresented populations.
Program Considerations:
- Includes courses that ideally fulfill major, minor, and/or GE requirements, tailored to the proposed program objectives (e.g., offers courses that are in high demand among students and aid in their degree progress)
- Addresses curricular areas not supported by existing faculty-led or affiliate programs and/or offer opportunities in countries/regions where Chico State has few or no programs during that term.
- Attempts to keep program costs low for a diverse prospective student pool. Note: Campus and external grants may also be applied to lower student program costs.
- A minimum of a 3 credit program is recommended.
Program Terms | Preliminary Proposal | Finalized Proposal |
| Summer | April 1 (of previous year) | May 1 (of previous year) |
| Other Terms | One year in advance of program start date |
*Deadlines may be shorter for pre-established faculty-led programs.
For program success and to allow adequate time for recruiting, it is essential to adhere to the following steps and below deadlines when Submitting Program Proposals:
Phase I: Faculty Eligibility & Program Development
- Meets minimum criteria and eligibility (see Program Considerations on page 1 for details).
- Review the following resources:
- U.S. Department of State(opens in new window) for travel warnings and other information on student travel to the region and CSU High Hazard List(opens in new window).
- Center for Disease Control(opens in new window) to learn more about health risks in the host country.
- Host country’s embassy website for info on student visas and travel restrictions (if any).
- Review the Faculty Travel information(opens in new window) on the Office of Risk Management's website.
- Confirm Department Chair and College Dean support.
- Review Study Abroad Advisory Committee (SAAC) Rubric for Evaluating Study Abroad Programs.
- Meet with the Study Abroad & Exchange (SAE) Coordinator to discuss the initial program idea, best practices, review SAAC Rubric for Evaluation Study Abroad Program(opens in new window), and TREK proposal process and deadlines.
Phase II: Submit Proposal (part 1) for Preliminary Review by SAAC
- In TREK, submit the following questionnaires for preliminary review by SAAC (see deadlines), and notify SAE Coordinator:
- General Information
- Academic Information
- Health, Safety, and Risk Management
- Meet with Risk Management to discuss health and safety program aspects, CSU policies, resources, and support.
- Note: SAAC may invite faculty to come speak to their proposals.
Phase III: Submit Proposal (part 2) for Final Review by SAAC
- Meet with Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) to discuss fiscal policies and final budget development.
- In TREK(opens in new window), complete the remaining faculty-led proposal questionnaires and revise and re-submit previously submitted #1-3 questionnaires (if needed).
- SAAC conducts a final review of the proposal.
- If SAAC recommends approval, AVP will send the proposal to Provost for review and approval.
Phase IV: Marketing & Pre-Departure Orientation (Post Approval)
- Develop a marketing & outreach plan to support your program's promotion, recruitment, and retention (e.g., flyer, campus announcements, info sessions, classroom presentations, etc.).
- Student participation roster by “go/no go date” to be confirmed in collaboration with SAE Coordinator, PCE, and study abroad provider/host institution (if applicable).
- Pre-departure preparation and orientation (after the program “makes”) in collaboration with SAE Coordinator.
- Faculty or staff leading students should review the Emergency Procedures for Faculty (PDF) (PDF) and the Faculty-led Emergency Action Plan (PDF) (PDF) documents available through Risk Management.
Phase V: Program Implementation & Post-Program Assessment/Debrief
- Notify SAE Coordinator about the safe arrival & check-in of all participants.
- Complete on-site orientation (with the support of Third-Party Providers or Host Institutions, if applicable).
- If an incident occurs abroad, faculty should follow Emergency Procedures for Faculty Guidelines and contact SAE Coordinator immediately.
- SAE will send participants a post-Study Abroad Program Survey.
- Faculty meets with SAE Coordinator to debrief post-program.
Highlights & Resources:
- "Ciao Chico State" Faculty-Led Program(opens in new window): Led by Chico State Faculty, Professor Carli Ross, this video provides an overview of this faculty-led program hosted in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in collaboration with GAST(opens in new window), a local non-profit in Reggio Emilia with an impactful mission.