Propose a Global Explorations Faculty-Led Program
SCU’s Global Learning department in Global Engagement offers Global Explorations Faculty-Led Programs that provide SCU students and faculty with international education experiences directly integrated into their courses.
Global Explorations are short-term (two weeks), for-credit, faculty-led programs offered for SCU undergraduate students during the summer that are co-created with Global Engagement. SCU’s faculty-led programs are proposed and led by SCU faculty members or contracted instructors, sponsored by an academic department and its school, budgeted and administered through Global Engagement, supported by the TPAC committee, and approved by the Vice Provost for Global Engagement.
Global Explorations programs are not community-based learning programs, volunteer programs, or non-credit programs.
Program Eligibility and Academic Framework
Who is eligible to lead?
Faculty must have Department and Dean support and meet the following requirements:
- Tenure and tenure-track faculty
- Non-Tenure-Track Faculty on Renewable-Term or Continuing Appointment
- Faculty on Fixed-Term Appointment with a contract that continues into the academic year post program. Faculty must have completed at least two years of their fixed-term appointment at the time of proposal.
Who is eligible to attend?
Students who are…
Program Length
Two weeks in the summer.
Student Academic Credit
Short-term seminars are 4 units. The course must include 33 contact hours (faculty instruction) over a 2-week period. Instructional time can include: traditional classroom instruction, experiential learning (e.g., guest lectures, site visits, field research), guided discussions and reflections, and structured group work under faculty guidance. Because these are intensive programs, program content, including experiential learning, usually takes place six or seven-days a week. Components such as travel time and on-site orientation are included in the two week timeframe, but not in the expectation for contact hours.
Faculty Teaching Credit
The teaching credit load must be discussed and coordinated by the faculty department.
All courses must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate academic department to ensure they meet the standards of Santa Clara University’s undergraduate or graduate curriculum. Ideally, programs should offer courses that fulfill major, minor, Core Curriculum, or elective requirements. Faculty are responsible for coordinating with their department chairs and, when applicable, the Core Curriculum Committee to ensure that proposed courses align with SCU’s academic expectations and curricular goals.
Proposal and Program Timeline for Faculty Leaders
Crafting a Global Explorations program requires careful planning by faculty leaders in order to provide students with safe, educational, and worthwhile experiences. Planning, executing, and reviewing the program requires at least 30 months of work.
Follow Global Engagement’s timeline to meet all requirements of a Global Explorations program:
Plan
Begin planning two years before the anticipated program date.
- Brainstorm and explore program ideas
- Consult with Global Learning and your academic department
- Read the Faculty-Led Handbook
- Draft syllabus and itinerary
- Identify research locations, opportunities, and potential partnerships
- Attend a Proposal Planning workshop or meeting in Spring quarter
Propose
Submit program proposals by February 1 of the year prior to the program date, about sixteen months before the anticipated program date.
- Submit program proposal, including draft syllabus/itinerary
- Receive feedback from the review panel and make revisions
- Complete approval documents with department chair and dean
- Initial budget review by Global Engagement
- Obtain final program approval by March 15
Finalize
Budget, syllabus, and itinerary finalizations are due by May 1 of the year prior to the program date, about thirteen months before the anticipated program date.
- Collaborate with Global Learning on budget development and partnerships
- Finalize program documents: Syllabus and itinerary, Application materials, Pricing and cost estimates
Recruit
Recruit students from the program from May through November of the year prior to the program date. Students apply for the program during the Application Filing Period in mid-November.
- Develop a promotional plan and materials
- Attend Study Abroad Recruitment Training
- Begin marketing and outreach to students
- Review and approve student applications
- Continue refining program plans as needed
- Complete the SCU International Travel Proposal by the January 15 deadline for TPAC review
Prepare
Prepare for the program from January to June of the year of the program, beginning at least four months before departure.
- Hold classes throughout the quarter and pre-departure orientation meetings
- Make final vendor payments
- Attend Health & Safety orientation sessions
- Complete all final logistical and academic preparations
Lead
Lead the two-week program abroad.
- Execute the program as planned
- Deliver academic content
- Lead and support students
- Manage any emergencies or on-site challenges
Review
Complete final steps upon return from the program and up to one month after the program ends.
- Conduct post-program debrief with participants and Global Engagement
- Submit grades and complete expense reporting
Submitting the Proposal
Proposal Components
- Program Concept Statement (Approximately 1,000 words)
- Personal Statement (Approximately 500 words)
- Proposed program itinerary (downloadable template)
- Recommendation Form completed by Dean and Department Chair: Department Chairs and Deans are asked to review the proposal for academic fit, faculty preparedness, and resource impact.
- Confirmed program location that is not listed with a “Do Not Travel” red advisory on the Department of State Travel Warning List
Proposal Resources
- Rubric for New Global Explorations Program Proposals
- Review Global Explorations Faculty Leader Job Description. You will be asked to digitally sign this form if your Global Explorations program proposal is accepted.
- Review Faculty Handbook for Leading a Global Explorations Program- This handbook will serve as an all-inclusive guide to planning and implementing your seminar. Handbook will be live in Summer 2026.
Submission and Review
Submit the completed proposal by the deadline for review. If the application has been approved, Faculty leaders are required to attend pre-departure meetings in preparation of the program.