Developing a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program

Faculty-led study abroad programs are academic, international, experiential learning programs led by full-time, regular NTC faculty in conjunction with the NTC Center for Global Education. These programs provide unique opportunities for students, especially those who may be unable to study abroad through semester-length study abroad programs. Faculty-led programs are also a unique opportunity for faculty to spend more time with students inside and outside of class, expanding the role of instructor to advisor, mentor, cultural liaison, and more. This can result in a positive transformation of faculty, staff and students that will influence students beyond their time at Tulane University.

View existing study abroad programs run by Tulane faculty and staff

 

students at an onsite lecture near volubulis, roman site in morocco

Types of Faculty-Led Programs

OSA supports a variety of program models in study abroad with varying levels of support and oversight.

These are programs run and managed by the NTC Office of Study Abroad. Programs are open to NTC students, pending specific programmatic requirements (e.g. language proficiency, course pre-requisites).

  • NTC faculty-led programs will be accompanied by an OSA or NTC employee who will provide logistical support and intercultural learning support to students and faculty on the program
  • Faculty participants will be hired by Newcomb-Tulane College
  • OSA exercises budgetary responsibility of the program
  • OSA will oversee negotiation of MOU with program provider or international partner
  • OSA will support marketing of programs
  • Participants are eligible for OSA scholarships

These programs are managed by other campus units with capacity to develop and run international education programs. Programs are open to NTC students, pending specific programmatic requirements (e.g. language proficiency, course pre-requisites)

  • Faculty participants and support staff are hired by the campus unit
  • Marketing, budgets, and faculty contracts are handled by the campus unit
  • Student tracking through TerraDotta, applications, and required travel documentation are handled by the campus unit

Follow these steps to propose a new study abroad program:

 

Meet with us to discuss your initial program concept. Make an appointment or reach out to ebrickhezeau@tulane.edu to get connected with study abroad staff.

Fill out the faculty-led proposal form. The Associate Dean for Global Education and the Dean of Newcomb Tulane College will determine if the proposal will proceed to the next stages of consideration. This decision is based on existing portfolio of programs and anticipated student demand. Faculty interested in starting a new program need to have a recruitment strategy for students in mind.

If your program is selected for development, the NTC Office of Study Abroad will follow up with next steps. One year before your program start date, you will work with OSA to identify vendors/partners abroad, develop your itinerary and budget, and develop co-curricular learning opportunities that support course learning outcomes. If OSA cannot take on your proposal you may opt to work with your school or department to seek out sponsorshop for study abroad programming.

Faculty who wish to run programs in the summer submit their TSAC proposal form (including syllabi, itinerary, and a rough budget) at the September meeting. The NTC Associate Dean for Global Education will review your completed TSAC proposal and budget prior to its submission to the committee for approval.

Tulane Study Abroad Committee New Program Proposal Form

Faculty will also need to complete a Tulane Global Health, Safety, Security Review. Learn more about travel approval for “high-risk” destinations here.

 

 

Once all Tulane parties have greenlit a potential program, OSA will negotiate a contract or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with vendors abroad.

NTC will issue contracts to all faculty participants. View the faculty handbook to get a sense for expectations of faculty directors abroad.

Once the program has been approved by the Tulane Study Abroad Committee, faculty may begin promoting the program to students. Work with OSA to determine recruitment strategies to ensure you recruit enough students for the program to run. 

OSA can provide flyers, promotional materials, and publicize the program on our website and social media platforms. However, successful study abroad programs require engaged faculty leaders to recruit students in their classes, via listservs and student organizations, and through information sessions about the course and program. Classes and programs which do not meet minimum enrollment are subject to cancellation.

Faculty leaders for faculty-led study abroad programs are required to attend Tulane's annual Study Abroad Fair to recruit students.

students on a farm tour in todra gorge, morocco

Initial Interest Form

Applications are due March 30th, 2025 for programs anticipated to run summer 2026.

Lay the groundwork for a new study abroad program. Selected candidates will work with the Center for Global Education through summer 2025 to iron out the details.

 

Newcomb-Tulane College prioritizes programs aligned with the following priorities:

  • Programs that meet curricular needs of a wide variety of majors
  • Programs that facilitate participation in study abroad students who might not otherwise study abroad
  • Programs outside of Western Europe
  • Programs with no course prerequisites
  • Programs offered on a recurring basis with the same faculty and in the same location
  • Programs that do not duplicate features of other existing faculty-led programs
  • Programs with an emphasis on language learning

 

 

Meet with us!

Schedule a meeting with the Summer Program Manager

Have an idea for a program or a course you'd like to develop further? Currently working with OSA on study abroad programming? Schedule a 30-minute meeting to develop your idea and determine next steps.

Propose Updates to an Existing Program

Send in proposals for major course changes, program locations, or modality.

Updates must be submitted in writing to ebrickhezeau@tulane.edu by August 15 following your program end date.

Already working with OSA on a program?

Examples of Faculty-Led Programs