Leading a faculty-led program

Faculty-Led Education Abroad Programs

It is never too early to start planning! Faculty tend to be the most successful with recruiting, program enrollment, and travel logistics when they plan 1-2 years before departure!

All faculty interested in developing a faculty-led program should first consult with the International Programs Manager to discuss their goals and questions. IEE can assist faculty with program ideas, location considerations, and various models and levels of support needed to meet the needs of their program.

For all programs, new and reoccurring, faculty leaders are responsible for obtaining approval from their department chair and college dean using the Faculty-Led Recommendation Form. New program leaders must also create a program narrative, detailed syllabus, and tentative itinerary for approval by the International Education Committee (IEC). Full IEC proposal guidelines can be found here. Reoccurring program leaders do not need to get their program re-approved if it has run (or tried to run) in the last five years.

Please use the deadlines below to complete and submit the Recommendation Form and New Program Proposal (if necessary).

NEW PROGRAMS

Term	Consultation with IEE	Program Proposal & Recommendation Form due to Chair	Program Proposal & Recommendation Form due to Dean	Program Proposal & Recommendation Form due to IEE
Summer 2026	Prior to February 1, 2025	February 1, 2025	February 15, 2025	March 1, 2025
Winter/Spring Break 2026	Prior to October 1, 2024	October 1, 2024	October 15, 2024	November 1, 2024

Applications for future terms are reviewed on a rolling basis - program leaders do not need to wait for the deadlines to submit proposal materials.

New Faculty-Led Program Recommendation Form

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Guidelines

REOCCURRING PROGRAMS

Reoccurring programs have run (or tried to run) at least once in the last five years with the same course(s) and in the same location.

Term	Recommendation Form due to Chair	Recommendation Form due to Dean	Recommendation Form due to IEE
Summer 2026	March 1, 2025	March 15, 2025	April 1, 2025
Winter/Spring Break 2026	February 1, 2025	February 15, 2025	March 1, 2025

Reoccurring Faculty-led Program Recommendation Form

FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS HANDBOOK

Below is a digital version of the Education Abroad Handbook for Faculty-Led Programs. IEE recommends reading through this material as a first step in understanding the various components and expectations required for developing and leading a program abroad. Additional questions should be directed to Emily Warnke & Karolyn Bald.

Education Abroad Handbook for Faculty-Led Programs

UWL's policy regarding recreational travel

Recreational programming has been defined as programs that do not provide an academic credit or a community integration (service learning) component. These programs are identified as travel intended for the enjoyment of the participant. Recreational travel arranged independently by UWL faculty or staff may be coordinated by the faculty/staff member as an individual, not as employees of UWL. UWL, in compliance with UW System, will not support programs that do not contain educational value. Students and staff participating in these non-sponsored programs do so at their own risk.

Domestic Programs

IEE can support programs in some US states or territories, however, all proposals must contain a cultural immersion component that expands students' experiences beyond the traditional boundaries of the US (via non-English language or other internationally-related aspects). All proposals must be approved by the appropriate department(s), dean and Provost.