The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) is always open to exploring the development of new faculty-led programs. Proposing a new program is a process requiring the involvement of OGE, relevant department administration/staff, the Office of Curriculum Systems, and the Dean(s) of the appropriate college(s). To allow sufficient planning time for a new study away program, it is best to start the process at least 18 months prior to the estimated program departure date.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

An overview of the program proposal process can be found below.

Study Abroad Program Development Grants: UGA Office of Global Engagement is inviting proposals from faculty to develop and lead UGA study abroad programs for undergraduate students. Successfully approved study abroad program proposals will be considered for Study Abroad Program Development Grant funding at the October and March meetings of the Study Abroad Program Proposal Committee. The purpose of the Grant is to assist faculty in finalizing the planning of the approved study abroad program proposal. Successful program proposals selected for an exploratory travel grant will receive funding covering the expenses of a site visit for up to $4,000 per program. A maximum of seven approved proposals will be supported in 2024-25. Please see Study Abroad Program Development and Grants for more information.


Rev. 10/10/2019
 

Step 1: Complete the Background Questionnaire 

For faculty considering creating a study away program, the first step is to complete a background questionnaire.

This form is intended to prompt faculty to begin thinking through the academic, financial, and risk management components of the planning process. It is also created to help guide the conversation between the faculty member and Dr. Yana Cornish, Director of Global Education, as outlined in Step 2.

Once the questionnaire has been submitted, OGE will reach out to the faculty member listed and set up a meeting.

Prior to the meeting, the faculty member should:

• Review the UGA Credit Hour Policy and performance expectations for UGA program directors, faculty and staff
• Familiarize themselves with the Study Away Program Director Manual
• As necessary, review the Office of Faculty Affairs' Instructor of Record Credentialing process
• Identify their departmental Business Manager (for purposes of future program budget development)

 

Step 2: Schedule a Meeting with the Director of Global Education

The purpose of this meeting is to: 

• Discuss rationale for the program and its benefits to the academic unit and UGA
• Evaluate the viability of the proposed program and how it will fit among existing program offerings at UGA
• Discuss the academic and financial management of the proposed program
• Discuss the long-term sustainability of the program
• Discuss safety and stability of the area in which the proposed program will be located
  • Consult the Travel Warnings and Country-Specific Information Section of the State Department website for more information in advance of the meeting
     

Step 3: Complete a Faculty-led Program Proposal in the StudyAway Portal

OGE will create a Faculty-led Program Proposal in the StudyAway Portal for the Program Director(s) or a designee for semester and year that they intend for their program to run. The Program Providers for Customized Faculty Programs list can be used to assist in finding a provider.

They should complete the following information:
    Please note that students are attracted to programs with clearly defined instructional expectations and syllabi. “Directed Readings” courses are strongly discouraged. Instead, Directors should consider offering existing departmental courses or creating new courses designed specifically for the study away program.
 

New Study Abroad Program Proposal Submission Deadlines

Calendar Year 2024	Spring 2024	Maymester 2024	Summer 2024	Fall 2024
Program Directors plan program, submit Background Information Form & meet with director of StudyAway	Before Feb 1, 2023	Before Feb 1, 2023	Before Feb 1, 2023	Before Sept 1, 2023
Review/approve program proposal within academic unit/college	Before Mar 1, 2023	Before Mar 1, 2023	Before Mar 1, 2023	Before Sept 15, 2023
Program Directors, with pre-approval from academic units/college, submit documents in the StudyAway Portal	Mar 1, 2023	Mar 1, 2023	Mar 1, 2023	Sept 15, 2023
OGE final approval	April 30, 2023	April 30, 2023	April 30, 2023	Nov 30, 2023

 

Calendar Year 2023	Spring 2023	Maymester 2023	Summer 2023	Fall 2023
Program Directors plan program, submit Background Information Form & meet with director of StudyAway	Before Feb 1, 2022	Before Feb 1, 2022	Before Feb 1, 2022	Before Sept 1, 2022
Review/approve program proposal within academic unit/college	Before Mar 1, 2022	Before Mar 1, 2022	Before Mar 1, 2022	Before Sept 15, 2022
Program Directors, with pre-approval from academic units/college, submit documents in the StudyAway Portal	Mar 1, 2022	Mar 1, 2022	Mar 1, 2022	Sept 15, 2022
OGE final approval	April 30, 2022	April 30, 2022	April 30, 2022	Nov 30, 2022

   

Step 4: Committee Reviews the Proposal

Each semester, representatives from OGE, the Office of Curriculum Systems, UGA's Office of Emergency Preparedness, and faculty representatives meet to review and discuss each proposal. The review process will include a review of the academic, financial, and risk management components of the proposal. Each member of the committee will need to give their approval of the proposals. In most cases, the committee will ask for additional documentation before approving programs.

OGE will indicate final approval of program proposals by sending a letter to the proposing faculty member's Unit Head/Director, and the Dean of their college.

Step 5: Proposal is Approved

Once a program is approved, the faculty Program Director (or a designee) should:

• Create program planning documents
• Schedule a StudyAway Portal Training (email studyawayhelp@uga.edu)
• Schedule a Budget development meeting (email ugasabo@uga.edu)
• Once access is granted (post-training), set up a Program Brochure
• Update a Cost of Attendance Sheet
• Open applications for the term
• Join the FACSA-L Listserv
• Sign up for a Risk Management training (email studyaway@uga.edu) 
• Become familiar with policies and procedures of global education at UGA
• Review the Study Away Program Director Manual
• Faculty or staff traveling with the program need to sign the Program Staff Expectations Agreement. All faculty and staff who will be directly associated with the program while it is operational should be issued a letter of offer, using the standard template
• Consider signing up for the annual Global Open House and StudyAway Fair to market your program to interested students

If you are experiencing any technical issues, please contact StudyAway Help at studyawayhelp@uga.edu.