Faculty-Led Programs

 

 

A Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program (FLP) is an experiential academic course in which faculty and students travel abroad. 

Characteristics of FLPs:

  1. A credit-bearing course.
  2. Travel can be part of a semester-long course. If that is the case, travel occurs during a semester break, such as spring break, or at the end of the semester. 
  3. The entire course can be taught while traveling. This is best in J-Term or in May.
  4. Faculty leading FLP need to complete the training provided by the Office of Global Engagement. Training opportunities will be offered on a rotating basis and will be publicized.

 

 

Student weaving outdoors.

(Faculty-led Program to Ghana, 2023)

Faculty and Staff Process

Planning, processes, requirements, and recommendations for Faculty-Led Programs are based on The Forum on Education Abroad's Standards of Good Practice.

  1. Initial meeting with OGE

    Faculty leaders must schedule an initial meeting with the Office of Global Engagement for ideas, suggestions, and processes. You can schedule a meeting by reaching out to Diana Strelczyk, Assistant Director of Education Abroad, at Diana.Strelczyk@Stockton.edu.

  2. Training

    Remembering that all faculty who develop and run an FLP do so on a voluntary basis, everyone who leads a program abroad will be required to complete OGE's training. The timing of this training can vary, but we recommend taking it in the early planning stages. We will offer opportunities for training every semester and in the summer. 

  3. Complete the FLP Proposal form

    Proposals will be reviewed by committee. All proposals must be completed a minimum of four semesters in advance of the program. They must identify two faculty or staff leaders, and have approval of the Dean or Director in their area. The committee will review proposals once per semester and give feedback. 

    FLP Proposal Form

  4. Choose an international partner

    FLPs can work with Stockton's existing university partners abroad or with one of our approved Education Abroad providers (consult with the OGE to solicit and review proposals). Some considerations are academic alignment, cost, program content, fit, and quality. This choice must be made before a budget can be created.

  5. Budget form, itinerary, and contracts

    Three semesters before the program, OGE will need a completed and fully approved budget sheet and detailed itinerary. Faculty are encouraged to work closely with OGE to complete this worksheet. OGE will process contracts and payments with  approved providers and travel agencies.

    FLP Worksheet

  6. Marketing

    Marketing should start as early as possible, and may begin as soon as the budget has been approved. While OGE can provide fliers and social media posts, as well as ideas and examples of successful marketing strategies, it is up to the program leaders to market their programs. Faculty of successful programs invest time in recruiting.

  7. Finalized roster and payment plan

    A minimum of two semesters before travel, the program needs to have a finalized roster and set up a payment plan. A typical paymnet plan includes four or five payments, with the final payment being two months prior to travel. OGE will work with the Bursar's Office to create payment plans.

  8. Pre-departure orientation

    During the semester before travel, all students will complete the WorldKind Traveler Trainer PROgram. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to do this. Within the last month before travel, faculty should invite an OGE staff member to a class or group meeting for a final pre-departure orientation.

  9. Travel

    During travel, faculty will stay in contact with OGE, providing periodic updates. We encourage you to send us photos and videos for social media, or work with one or two students to do an OGE Instagram takeover for a day.

  10. Evaluation and report

    At the end of the program, faculty will distribute and submit course evaluations. In addition, academic faculty are required to submit a brief written report within one month of the end of their program.

  11. Upon return

    Research shows that students continue to process and learn from abroad experiences long after the travel is over. If the class continues after returning from travel, it is encouraged to guide reflection. OGE will also offer re-entry programming. Faculty can help encourage students to participate in this programming, and are welcome to participate, themselves.

  12. Collaboration

    Throughout this collaborative process, faculty and will work closely with OGE and with their academic program and School. OGE staff will work to process documents, collect forms, process contracts and payments, and run orientations. We will can offer our expertise in cross-cultural skill development and best practices in education abroad, while faculty and staff focus on academic content and help us keep students on task with forms, documents, pre-departure training, and payments.