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Global Initiatives – Study Abroad

Propose or Renew a Program

To start the program development process you can find the program proposal form here. We are here to guide you through the program development process, and we are always available to answer any of your questions or concerns. The guidelines and resources below are designed to help guide you through the phases of developing your study abroad program. We recognize that it can be difficult to keep up with upcoming events and deadlines so we will send out specific information throughout the year to assist you. 

Proposing a Program

Step 1: Develop Program Ideas

  • Discuss the concept for your program with your department chair or supervisor. Get their support and permission to teach off-campus. Discuss your teaching/workload and compensation options.
  • Read the Program Director Study Abroad Handbook to understand your responsibilities.
  • Consult the Forum on Study Abroad’s Standards of Good Practice to learn about programming best practices.
  • Reach out to the Education Abroad Office or attend an info session to discuss your concept or ask questions.

Step 2: Policy Review

  • Review the Program Policies page and the Travel Safety & Risk Management page. This page will guide you in completing the program proposal. Please consult these policies throughout the proposal process. Submitting a proposal that does not align with these policies will delay the review of your program. 
  • Determine your program term and the number of credits.

Step 3: Departmental Processes

Coordinate with your department to collect the information you will need to complete the proposal and the budget plan. 

Step 4: Start a Proposal

The proposal provides UTSA Education Abroad with information about the program structure, academic content and courses, logistics, and finances.

Proposal Form

Submitting a proposal form is required for new and recurring programs.

  • The study abroad program leader is required to author the proposal. If you work with a department that assists with the proposal process, please check with your department contact about how to proceed before opening an application.
  • Your department chair and dean sign off on the proposal, so we encourage you to have conversations with your chair about the program prior to proposing. 

Program Renewal

Once an international program has been approved in the past, a renewal will need to be submitted prior to future trips. Any substantive changes from the original proposal that may affect safety, location, housing, academics, student life, or financial commitments will need to be reported in the program renewal form. 

 

Budget Plan 

  • Include a budget sheet for your program when submitting your proposal.
  • For more information review the Budget Plan page in the Program Leader Toolkit.

Countries with travel warnings or restrictions

  • Program proposals that include travel to a country with a travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State or a Centers for Disease Control health warning require an additional review from the International Oversight Committee prior to approval.
  • Visit our International Travel to Restricted Regions page to determine if this applies to your program and submit a travel waiver request.

Step 5 – Submit the proposal

  • Submit your program proposal and preliminary spending plan to the UTSA Education Abroad Office.
  • Your Departmental Chair and Dean both need to sign off on the proposal. Programs that have not been discussed with the department chair may take longer to review. 

We encourage you to submit your proposal as early as possible or at least 6 months prior to the program start date.

Review the full program timeline here >>

Step 6 – Proposal review

  • UTSA Education Abroad will review your program proposal and contact you if more information is needed. 
  • The proposal will be submitted to the Vice Provost for Global Initiatives for final approval.
  • Review the Study Abroad Program Timeline for a schedule of what to expect in the coming months.

Additional Information

Please visit the Program Workshops page for information about attending an information session on proposing a new program. We will cover important policies, how to start a program, budget planning, and timelines.

If you would like to discuss an idea for a program in the meantime, please contact our office at studyabroad@utsa.edu to schedule a meeting.