NEW PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The field of international education, of which study abroad is a vital component, is rapidly expanding. The increasing complexity, growing need to manage risk, and the expanding number of new programs require effective communication and cooperation among faculty and administrators. The Global Education Office has prepared the resources below to assist you in navigating the proposal and approval process for a new study away program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
An individual faculty member and the Global Education Office for Undergraduates (GEO), generally have responsibility for developing a new Duke-administered study abroad or U.S.-based study away program. In developing the program, the faculty member and GEO staff will work in consultation with the academic department head of the sponsoring unit, the faculty-led Duke Global Education Committee, and other appropriate Duke departments and administrators.
The interested faculty member(s) contacts the GEO and meets with the Executive Director and appropriate staff to discuss the program proposal. Following this meeting, the interested faculty member(s) should complete a ‘Request for Approval’ form.
See 'Program Proposal' section for checklists, suggested timelines, and other documents to assist you in developing a new study away program.
The individual faculty member initiates the approval process by obtaining permission to proceed from his/her academic department head.
All study abroad and U.S.-based programs sponsored by Duke University must be approved by the appropriate officials at Duke to ensure that the program adheres to university policies and procedures, as well as those of the NAFSA Association of International Educators. The approval process also serves as a “checks and balances” to ensure that appropriate provisions were made for the program’s implementation. New programs should not be publicized until approval has been secured.
Once a ‘Request for Approval’ form has been reviewed and approved by the faculty-led Global Education Committee, GEO will be responsible for notifying the faculty member and department head that the program proposal has received final approval. The original 'Request for Approval' will be filed in the Global Education Office.
If approval is not given, or if the faculty committee has feedback or requires follow-up action on the proposal, the notification generally comes directly from the committee chair.
Programs that have been approved to run will be evaluated by students, and assessed by GEO and the Duke Assessment Office through the use of program and course evaluations.
It is highly preferred that faculty begin by developing a summer program, as this permits both faculty and the GEO to gauge student interest before developing a semester program.
PROGRAM PROPOSAL
Documents to assist you in developing a new study away program
To assist faculty and staff at Duke University in understanding the processes involved in gaining approval to implement a new study away program, the Global Education Office for Undergraduates has adopted a timeline and checklist for use by potential program directors.
These standards and guidelines are well-recognized procedures used by the leading professional organization in International Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators. They will not only help you complete the application but serve as a tool in the actual development and maintenance of your program.
Memo and Guidelines from GEO Exec Director
Phase 2: Final Request for Approval
APPLICATION PROCESS
Completed applications should be submitted to the Executive Director, Global Education Office for Undergraduates. Once reviewed, a recommendation will be made to the faculty Global Education Committee. Approved programs are jointly administered by the GEO and any departmental or organizational sponsors, under the umbrella of the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences.
Deadline: For summer programs, the deadline is January 1 of the year preceding the anticipated start date of the program. A semester program might take longer to develop and launch, depending on complexity and location.
Explore All Programs
For any major and every interest, there’s a Study Away Program that matches your needs.