Before beginning your formal submission, faculty are encouraged to spend time designing a clear, feasible, and academically rigorous program that is well-positioned to move successfully through PSU’s proposal review process. Thoughtful program design supports strong student learning, ethical global engagement, and long-term program sustainability. The Education Abroad team is here to support you during the design phase.
1. Define the Academic Focus
A strong faculty-led program begins with a clearly articulated academic purpose.
- Align the program with PSU’s mission and your department’s curriculum.
- Define learning outcomes that intentionally leverage the international context.
- Consider interdisciplinary, experiential, or site-based learning opportunities appropriate to the location.
- When relevant, reflect on ethical engagement, global stewardship, and the program’s impact on host communities.
Programs that demonstrate clear academic intent and thoughtful use of place are more likely to be successful and sustainable.
2. Assess Program Feasibility
As you develop your program concept, consider whether it is realistically scoped and positioned for approval and recruitment. Key design considerations include:
- Ideal dates, duration, and term alignment
- Credit load and contact hours, including experiential and site-based learning
- Travel, housing, and on-site support needs
- Health, safety, and risk management considerations
- Estimated student costs and overall affordability
- A realistic enrollment target and recruitment timeline (typically 10–14 students)
Programs that are affordable, logistically sound, and appropriately scaled are more likely to be approved and successfully recruited.
3. Prepare for the Initial Proposal
Faculty move into the formal process by submitting an initial proposal, which collects information needed for review, selection, and departmental approval. While full details are outlined on the Submission & Review Process page, the proposal generally includes:
- Faculty-Led Program Details
- Course Information
- Working with a Service Provider (if applicable)
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements – Program Leader Agreement
- Seeking Departmental Approval – Program Leader Acknowledgement
- Departmental Approval Recommendation Form (required)
- A brief reflection on prior program outcomes (renewing proposals only)
These components allow Education Abroad and department leadership to assess academic quality, feasibility, readiness, and departmental support.
→ View the Submission & Review Process
4. Design with Review, Selection, and Capacity in Mind
In addition to academic quality and feasibility, proposals are reviewed within the context of PSU’s overall education abroad portfolio and Education Abroad’s operational capacity. Faculty are encouraged to consider how their program:
- Contributes to geographic, academic, or programmatic balance
- Fits within typical annual approval capacity and term distribution
- Is positioned to recruit successfully within the proposed timeframe
Because capacity is limited, not all proposals can be approved in every cycle.
5. Engage Early with Education Abroad & Partners
Early consultation with Education Abroad is strongly encouraged. Our office can:
- Provide guidance on program design and feasibility
- Provide early guidance on potential international partners or service providers, including whether an existing vetted provider may meet your program’s needs or if a new provider would need to be explored following program approval
- Help align your program with best practices, safety standards, and institutional capacity
Faculty will also complete required trainings as part of the proposal and development process, which support effective planning and implementation.
→ View Required Program Leader Trainings
Ready to submit? Move on to the Submission & Review Process.