Faculty Expectations & Responsibilities: Custom Programs

Getting Started

We recognize that your time is valuable. The planning for a custom program starts 6 – 12 months before departure. The materials in this guide are intended to help you develop a successful proposal, prepare for the program, and integrate your vision into the macro context of the University.

Coordinating a custom program can be overwhelming at times, particularly if you have never led one before. The university focuses most of its resources on group programming (10 or more students) rather than individualized program experiences. For that reason, faculty coordinating custom programs will need to be prepared to serve as the primary administrator, instructor, and advisor for a custom program. Learning abroad will provide basic support that protects students, faculty, and staff from liability; however, be prepared to dedicate time to helping your student before, during, and after their experience.

Role of the Learning Abroad Office

The goal of the Learning Abroad Office is to provide the macro-infrastructural support that makes learning abroad programs possible. To support your efforts, Learning Abroad provides the following services for custom programs:

Advising

Basic advising services for students and faculty, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm
Application assistance and processing for the Learning Abroad online application
Re-integration programming for student participants

Financial Services

Coordination with University University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Scholarship coordination and administration

Academic

International Requirement recording, tracking, and petitions

Pre-departure Preparation

Faculty training and orientation
Student online orientation
Pre-departure workshops
Handbook and policy development

Insurance and Liability

Insurance contracting, billing and payments
Insurance registration and claim support
Liaise with University risk management office
Security, Safety, and Health Assessment and Review
Complaint mediation
24/7 Emergency phone number

Expectations for Custom Program Instructors

The instructor has a year-round commitment to the program including student support before, during, and after the program. In general terms, instructors should expect to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in th Custom Program Abroad Instructor Service Agreement in support of the program.

Faculty Training

Coordinating a custom program abroad is different than teaching here on campus. There are unique liability concerns, environmental factors, and support structures that impact both the faculty and student experience. To assist you in preparing for these differences, Learning Abroad has developed a training program for custom program instructors. The objective of this training program is to provide you with practical and theoretical background that will increase student learning.

Instructor training is a 3-part program. The U’s approach to faculty training is summarized in the graph below.

Part I: Coordinating Custom Programs Abroad

Required before coordinating our first custom program abroad.

Conducted through Canvas

Topics included Learning Abroad Theory, the role of the instructor, and services available through Learning Abroad.

Part II: Emergency Response Certification

Required before leading your first program. Certification must be renewed every other year for faculty who routinely coordinate programs.

Conducted through Canvas

Topics include insurance, emergency response, prevention, and simulation exercises.

Part III: Thematic Development Workshops

These training opportunities are optional.

Conducted in person 1 - 2 times per year.

Topics include innovation in learning abroad, current research, best practices, and program enhancement.

Learning Abroad develops, coordinates, and monitors Instructor Training. If you have additional questions about Instructor Training, contact the Director of Learning Abroad.

Getting Started

Role of the Learning Abroad Office

Expectations for Custom Program Instructors

Faculty Training

Faculty Handbook Contents