Education Abroad

Submission & Review Process

Welcome to the Faculty-Led Program Proposal Process

Portland State University welcomes proposal submissions for new and returning faculty-led programs each year. Faculty are encouraged to consult early with Education Abroad to ensure alignment, feasibility, and resource availability.

Before submitting a proposal, proposing program leaders are expected to complete the required Program Leader Development Trainings, review the Program Leader Toolkit, and familiarize themselves with the proposal review criteria outlined below. These steps ensure that proposed programs are developed in alignment with PSU policies, instructional responsibilities, student support expectations, and Education Abroad’s operational capacity. Proposals submitted without evidence of readiness may be considered incomplete or deferred to a future review cycle.

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*NEW* Proposal Review Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on:

  • Proposal Readiness & Faculty Engagement
    • Completeness and timeliness of the proposal submission
    • Responsiveness, communication, and demonstrated readiness to collaborate with Education Abroad and partners as needed.
  • Program Feasibility & Recruitment Viability
    • Logistical planning, health and safety considerations, and budget feasibility
    • Likelihood of successful participant recruitment within the proposed timeframe
  • Education Abroad Portfolio and Capacity Review
    • Contribution to overall geographic, academic, and programmatic balance within PSU’s education abroad offerings
    • Education Abroad’s operational capacity to support the program, given staffing, term distribution, and existing program commitments
  • Past Performance (for continuing or renewing programs)
    • Prior program outcomes, compliance with policies and timelines, collaboration with Education Abroad, and overall effectiveness
  • Sponsoring Departmental Approval
    • Confirmation of academic quality and curriculum alignment
    • Verification of faculty eligibility, instructional load or compensation arrangement (as applicable), and departmental support for the proposed program

Selection & Capacity

Reviews involve Education Abroad staff, department leadership, and the Internationalization Council (as needed). To maintain quality, PSU typically approves:

  • 15 programs for Summer
  • 5 programs each for Fall, Winter, and Spring
  • Approximately 30 programs annually

Programs with similar locations or themes may be reviewed comparatively to ensure a balanced portfolio.

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After Approval


Once your proposal is approved, the Proposing Program Leader will receive an official notification confirming the program’s selection for the upcoming cycle. Approval marks the transition from idea to implementation—and this is when program development truly begins.

What Happens Next

  1. Program Leader Confirmation
    You will receive written confirmation from Education Abroad outlining your role as the approved Program Leader for the upcoming term.
  2. Begin Program Development
    With approval in place, you will start working closely with Education Abroad to build out the operational and academic structure of your program. This phase includes:
  • Identifying and selecting a service provider or international partner
  • Soliciting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) when applicable
  • Finalizing the detailed program itinerary
  • Setting and confirming the program budget
  • Outlining academic content integration, site visits, and experiential components
  • This collaborative development period is critical to ensuring your program is feasible, safe, academically strong, and financially sound.
  1. Required Training Steps
    Approved Program Leaders will receive a list of required Program Leader Development Trainings covering key topics such as budgeting, risk management, roles and responsibilities, and preparing to lead students abroad.
  2. Marketing & Recruitment Launch
    Once the service provider is selected and the foundational program details are confirmed, Education Abroad will work with you to:
  • Establish a marketing timeline
  • Create or update the program’s VikingsAbroad webpage
  • Develop a recruitment strategy, including info sessions, classroom visits, and outreach
  • Set application deadlines and student communication plans
  1. Pre-Departure Preparation
    As the program approaches launch, you will collaborate with Education Abroad on:
  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Health, safety, and emergency planning
  • Student expectations and academic preparation
  • Finalizing travel logistics
Next in Toolkit: Program Leader Trainings