Programs that are sponsored or managed by UNH come into existence in a variety of ways, but all of them must follow a series of procedures in order to ensure the academic and personal welfare of students and faculty, fiscal responsibility, and efficient management. Sponsoring departments, faculty and the relevant dean must accept ultimate responsibility for the development, implementation, marketing, and operation of study away programs.
New UNH faculty-led programs should not duplicate or compete with those already in existence. In the initial stages, new UNH faculty-led programs should be developed with the knowledge and support of the department chair, the college dean, the administrative director of education abroad, and faculty with expertise in the region.
All UNH faculty-led study abroad programs must be approved by the University Committee on Study Abroad (UCSA). UNH Global is available to provide information and assistance at any stage in the process.
Procedures for planning a new program include the following:
- For all UNH faculty-led study abroad programs a formal, written agreement stating the terms must be developed and signed by UNH and the other institution. Go to the International Agreements section online for more information.
- A budget for the program must be developed with the responsible financial planning & analysis staff member and approved by the department chair and the school or college dean.
- Before the program can be approved, an annual cycle of operating procedures must be developed that includes: student application procedures, course registration and advising, budgeting/finances, overseas operations, marketing, preparing the students for study abroad, and student program evaluations.
- A mechanism to enroll students in the program must be established.
- This may require the completion of a UNH Course Approval Form, accompanied by a rationale for the program and budget information.
- Arrangements for registration in the summer must be developed in cooperation with both Division of Continuing Education (DCA) and the appropriate college or school dean's office.
- If the study abroad is to be incorporated into an already existing course number, a UNH Course Approval Form must be completed indicating that an existing course number is being modified.
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new program proposal must be developed and submitted to the University Committee on Study Abroad (UCSA) for final approval. Further information below.
- A complete application packet stating all the terms of the program must be developed that includes: eligibility for participation, full cost disclosure, agreement/release of liability, emergency contacts, and health disclosures.
University Committee on Study Abroad (UCSA) UNH Faculty-led Program Proposal
- The proposal must be accompanied by a written endorsement by the Department Chair and the Dean of the College.
- The proposal will be submitted to UNH Global. Please contact the Coordinator for Risk Management & Partnerships for assistance with the proposal and scheduling the UCSA review.
- The initial proposal for creating a new study abroad program should cover the following information.
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- PROGRAM RATIONALE
a) Program objectives
b) Partner institution description and justification*
c) Benefits of the proposed program to UNH students and faculty
d) How does this program fit the academic plan of UNH, college and department?
e) Does the proposed program compete with any other UNH program?
* A formal written agreement stating terms must be developed and signed by UNH and the partner institution. For sample agreements, please contact UNH Global.
- ACADEMIC INFORMATION
a) Description of curriculum and available courses
b) Faculty credentials. Is the program taught by UNH faculty? Does UNH hire adjunct faculty in the country of destination? Is teaching provided by a local institution?
c) Which institution will issue the transcript? Will students receive UNH credits or transfer credits? Number of credits a student can earn in the program.
d) UNH equivalents of courses taught in the program, including major and General Education requirements
e) Language of instruction
f) If the program is taught in English in a non-English speaking country, can students study the native language available and on what level?g) Does the program offer courses in the culture of the country? Does it organize excursions or field trips to take advantage of the country’s cultural resources?
3. STUDENT LIFE INFORMATION
a) Housing options/arrangements
b) Medical care availability and location
c) Health insurance requirements
d) Special needs accommodations (disability – physical, mental, learning)
e) On-site staff and support services
f) Pre-departure and/or on-site orientation
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
a) Safety information (Consult U.S. State Department, International SOS, and CDC)
- State Department & International SOS) travel information for the country of destination*
- Information on health risk factors
- State of health services
b) Itinerary /schedule (for group travel)
c) Contingency / emergency procedures
- US Embassy / Consular contact
- In-country contact at the partner institution
- On-site responsible person during an emergency
- Back-up for the on-site person
- Communication and contingency plan in case of an emergency
* The current UNH Study Abroad policy prohibits approval of undergraduate study abroad in countries that the U.S. State Department lists as level 3: Reconsider Travel or level 4: Do Not Travel. Review the International Travel Risk Review policy for more information.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
a) Annual cycle of operating procedures, including program dates, application deadlines and acceptance criteria, coordination with relevant offices on campus (specific academic departments, Registrar’s, Financial Aid, Business, Controller’s, MUB, housing, etc.), recruitment efforts, preparation for departure, support for students abroad, re-entry programming and credit award facilitation.
b) Administrative paperwork to support the procedures
c) Course number; special fee (if needed)
d) Program-specific scholarships
e) Withdrawal and refund policies.
f) Program administrators – director, program support
6. PROGRAM BUDGET, approved by the Dean of the College and College Business Service Center.
COSTS
a) Faculty compensation (or partner institution’s tuition, housing, meals costs)
b) Administrative support costs (abroad and at UNH)
c) Promotion costs
d) Travel costs for program administrators
e) Start-up costs and sources of funding
f) Overhead costs
g) Contingency fund
REVENUE
a) UNH tuition
b) Course fees
7. ESTIMATED STUDENT BUDGET (For Financial Aid purposes)*
Direct program costs
Administrative fee(s)
Travel costs, including air fare, in-country travel, luggage, etc.
Personal costs
Passport, visa, insurance, vaccinations, etc.
* You can review the UNH Global Study Abroad Budget Sheet for sample student budgets.
