How to Propose a New Faculty-Led Program

Facilitating an international academic experience could be one of the most rewarding activities you engage with during your tenure as a professor. Although it is a substantial amount of work, your ability to turn theory into practice, concepts into realities and readings into experiences is truly transformative for a student.

Criteria

1. Only full-time faculty are eligible to propose or lead international academic programs.
2. It is required that programs are championed and proposals are prepared by a minimum of two faculty to assure greater sustainability of the program, lead the program on a rotating basis, and support each other throughout the program cycle.
3. International programs fall under the same requirements as other academic programs regarding review and approval processes.
4. All programs will be required to have a program assistant, unless the program hires a local partner who provides an assistant as part of the partnership package. A program assistant serves in a supportive role to the faculty and students (see job descriptions for Program Directors and Program Assistants below)

Compensation

1. Teaching salary, according to faculty rank.
2. Administrative stipend determined by the level of logistical responsibility associated with the program at a range of $150 – $500/week in the field
3. Per diem expenses at the current, negotiated rate of 50% U.S. State Department rate for the location(s) of the program, plus all other reasonable and receipted, associated expenses

Academic

A program must carry a minimum of 4 credits (3 credits for graduate programs) with no more than one credit awarded per week of instruction, to assure compliance with state guidelines. This could be a combination of on-campus and in the field instruction, if necessary.

Process

1. Discuss program ideas with the Director of International Education
2. Discuss with convening group and receive their approval
3. Discuss with Dean and receive his/her approval
4. Submit proposal.
5. You might then receive feedback from the Director of International Education and the International Programs Committee.
6. Submit revised proposal along with your ARC proposal presentation. The ARC proposal guidelines can be found at: http://ww2.ramapo.edu/facultystaff/fa/arc/manuals.aspx.
7. Meet with the Director of International Education and create a plan for development & implementation.

What happens next? 

Your proposal will be reviewed by the International Programs Committee. Once approved, it will move forward to the Academic Review Committee. Finally, you will work with the Director of the Roukema Center for International Education on the development of your program.

Faculty-Led Program Job Descriptions

Faculty Program Director Job Description (PDF)

Program Assistant Job Description (PDF)

There are a selection of our international partners that welcome Professors to come teach for a semester or just a brief module for a few weeks. If this interests you, please contact the Roukema Center to discuss your interests with the Director.

CIEE Visiting Faculty

Join CIEE as a guest instructor at one of their four Global Institutes (London, Paris, Rome, or Berlin), home of CIEE’s unique multi-location Open Campus block system.

CIEE guest instructors:

• Create a hands-on learning environment with U.S. students through classes, events, and off-site activities.
• Link course content – taught in English, in most cases – to host cultures and contexts.
• Strengthen professional networks with academics from across Europe.

Openings are available for fall, spring and summer terms.

Learn more at: ciee.org/visitingfaculty

DIS: Study Abroad in Scandanavia – Becoming a Visiting Faculty Member

Visiting an International Program is the best way to understand what opportunities and experiences are students will engage in while abroad. There are two ways in which you can participate in a site visit:

1.) Group Site Visit – an organized itinerary developed by our partner. The group will include both faculty and staff from throughout the U.S. and usually does not exceed approximately 12 people. Included in the visit our meeting the local staff, sitting in on some classes, visiting the residential or home stay facilities and going on a similar excursion as the students. These visits are the most comprehensive and most likely the majority of in-country costs are borne by the partner. Below are links to our partner’s webpages related to Group Site Visits:

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

DIS: Study Abroad in Scandanavia

International Studies Abroad (ISA) 

SIT Study Abroad

2.) Individual Site Visit – a visit that you will participate and organize yourself (or with the support of the Ramapo International office). You get to set your own agenda to meet your goals. The downside of these are they are generally shorter and less robust, and the cost of participation is much greater. Participation in these should be arranged through the Roukema Center for International Education. Some partners have links for this type of visit as well:

Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)

International Studies Abroad (ISA) 

SIT Study Abroad

We ask that any faculty or staff that is interested in participating in either option above, first speak with the Director of International Education, as there could be additional funding/discounts available or specific initiatives in which you could participate.

Resource Documents on Ethics & Best Practices in Education Abroad

Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad
developed by the Forum on Education Abroad

Standards of Good Practice for Short-Term Education Abroad Programs
developed by the Forum on Education Abroad

Code of Ethics for Education Abroad
developed by the Forum on Education Abroad

World Higher Education Database – describes higher education institutions, systems and credentials around the world
developed by the International Association of Universities

International Fellowship Opportunities

TED Global Fellows Program

The TED Fellows program helps world-changing innovators from around the globe become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplifies the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. Fellows are drawn from many disciplines that reflect the diversity of TED’s members: technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, the humanities, the arts, NGOs, business and more.

Fulbright Fellows

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 new grants annually and operates in over 155 countries worldwide.

Insurance Options

If participating in a study abroad program through the Roukema Center for International Education, you will be provided with comprehensive international health insurance through our partner HTH WorldWide. Students and Faculty will be provided with the following coverage: PDF Document.

If you are looking for a plan for independent travel, or in attendance of a workshop, meeting or research, we can suggest the following options:

HTH WorldWide Travel Gap Insurance (PDF)
iNext International Travel Insurance

• “Academic Outcomes of Study Abroad“, Elizabeth Redden, July 13, 2010,InsideHigher Ed
• “The Faculty Role in Study Abroad“, Elizabeth Redden, June 3, 2010, Inside Higher Ed
• “More Colleges Coach Professors to Lead Study-Abroad Trips“, Karin Fischer, February 7, 2010, The Chronicle of Higher Education