Florence, Italy

UTSA launches new approval process for study abroad

(Jan. 6, 2005)--Faculty members either conducting or wishing to create a short-term study abroad program at UTSA must complete a new proposal form. 

Paperwork is submitted to the Office of International Programs where it is processed and reviewed by the UTSA Council on International Programs.

The council then forwards the detailed paperwork to a Study Abroad Review Group composed of the executive vice provost for academic affairs, vice president of student affairs, associate vice president for academic support and undergraduate studies, Council on International Programs chair and Office of International Programs director. The group will consider risk management, financial structuring and academic relevance to the program curriculum in reaching their decision.

The new process will give faculty a framework for covering all the details in putting a study-abroad program together, according to Jim McDonald, chair of the Council on International Programs.

Some of the questions applicants must answer address benefits of the program, prior experience in the host country, necessary language skills and educational objectives.

The process is modeled after the one used at The University of Texas, Austin. "It's not like we're reinventing the wheel," McDonald says. "It's been tested. It's a really good group of people [at UT Austin] and they've worked very hard to get a handle on all their international programs."

McDonald says the process has been very successful in Austin and runs the gamut through the critical details of any study abroad program.

Proposals for programs planned for summer or fall semesters are due Oct. 1 of the previous calendar year, while those planned for spring semesters are due March 1 of the previous calendar year.

Download the proposal submission form (a Word document).

--Leigh Anne Gullett