Developing a Program Abroad
Developing a Program Abroad
The Study Abroad Office (SAO) partners with academic departments and faculty to offer high quality, academically relevant study abroad programs. These options offer UNC courses taught by UNC professors to a group of UNC students. While most current faculty-led programs run during the summer, semester and spring break programs are also feasible. Faculty-led study abroad programs enrich the curriculum, create global opportunities for students, and provide assurances to students, parents, and the campus community that the program will be of high quality.
Faculty-led programs are intended to expand study abroad opportunities for Carolina students in a wide range of academic disciplines and locations. Faculty-led programs frequently are a student’s first experience abroad, allowing faculty to serve as mentors, role-models, and resources as students explore their host country and culture. These programs provide many benefits to both students and faculty.
- UNC courses taught in an international context while fulfilling major or minor requirements
- Smaller, more intimate classes
- Additional support, especially appealing to students who may not have traveled before
- Opportunity to teach abroad
- Using the location as an extension of the classroom
- Smaller class size enables getting to know students more and tailoring content and pace as needed
- International networking opportunities for future research and scholarship opportunities
The Role of Faculty
Our experienced staff work collaboratively with faculty throughout the process, from program development through return. While the Study Abroad Office coordinates the administrative components of the program, faculty program directors play an important role in ensuring the success of their program. Leading a program abroad is more than just teaching a course! Faculty program directors have the opportunity to expand learning outside the classroom through the types of courses and excursions included in the program. While faculty are already experienced as instructors on campus, many find that their role is significantly different while abroad, as students look to them for support in dealing with homesickness and the process of cultural adjustment. In addition, there are many specific processes, requirements, and liability issues program directors are responsible for. Prior to departure, our staff will offer a workshop to help prepare you for the time abroad and understand all the activities associated with leading a program.
Proposing a program
- the academic connection to the potential host location.
- level of student exposure to the host culture.
- costs: faculty-led study abroad programs are self-supporting, meaning that all cost associated with the program are passed along to the student as a program fee.
- minimum enrollment: in order to maximize resources and provide affordable programs for students, a minimum enrollment of 10 students will be required.
- health & safety: it is vital to keep in mind the health and safety of both students and faculty while abroad. The University’s travel policies do not permit travel to certain countries and areas based on the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory system.
Academic Credit:
- Varying options of 3 credits (3 – 4 weeks) to 6 credits (5 – 7 weeks)
- 12.5 contact hours per credit, which includes class time and course related activities
Program Structure:
- You can serve as the sole professor leading the program
- Co-teach with other UNC faculty or from the host location abroad
- Paired with a course taught at the host institution
- Can include experiential opportunities such as internships, service-learning, or research
Program Timing:
- Programs abroad can be offered at any point during the summer term and do not have to fall during UNC summer terms.
- focus on unique curricular needs not met by current study abroad programs
- meet academic department curricular requirements and priorities, allowing students to fulfill major or minor requirements towards graduation
- contribute to the goal of increasing diversity in participation by drawing students from underrepresented populations that have not traditionally considered studying abroad, such as athletes, first-generation, students of color, non-traditional majors, or veterans
- accessible for those students facing financial or personal constraints (family obligations, etc.) that prevent them from participating on longer duration study abroad programs
- create opportunities in non-traditional locations or other options abroad not currently a part of the Study Abroad Office portfolio
- Sample – CHM 241 syllabus (5 weeks – 2 credits)
- Sample – PSYC 260 syllabus (3 weeks – 3 credits)
- Sample – SPAN 261 syllabus (4 weeks – 3 credits)
- FLP Itinerary Template
Proposal Submission Process
- Faculty Program Director Agreement: outlines the roles and responsibilities of leading a study abroad program
- Faculty Background: info and bio about faculty program leader
- Program Info: dates, location, rationale, and learning objectives for the program
- Location Information: details and rationale about the proposed location(s) of a program
- Academics: details regarding the proposed academic offerings for the program, including itinerary, number of contact hours (classroom and experiential), excursions & activities, and a draft syllabus
- Health & Safety: addressing any potential safety, risk, and health issues that exist in the proposed location
- Student Recruitment and Selection: addressing how this program will be an attractive option for students (academically and culturally) and how the SAO team can support the faculty leader in marketing to students
- Letter of Support: from department chair detailing how the proposed program meets departmental curricular requirements and priorities
Review Process
Steps in the review process:
1 Program Proposal submitted by the following deadlines
New Programs (for consideration for summer 2026)
June 15: Applications open
November 15: Proposals are due
2 Study Abroad Office staff review and select viable proposals
3 Selected proposals forwarded to Study Abroad Advisory Board for review and approval (new programs only)
4 Approved programs submitted to the College of Arts & Sciences Administrative Board for review and approval (new programs only)
5 Study Abroad Office and faculty program director finalize program development
Please note the following:
- This is a competitive process based on the items posted above, and not all proposals will be accepted.
- Incomplete or incorrectly submitted proposals will not be considered.
More Information
For more information, please contact Christine Trinidad, Senior Director for Programs and Advising via email (christjt@unc.edu).