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Study Abroad Faculty Resources

There are several ways faculty and staff participate in study abroad at PSU. Faculty can lead groups of students abroad on a study abroad program, advise a student who is planning to study abroad, or teach with PSU in Paraguay.

Advisors of Students Studying Abroad

1. Planning Ahead with the Student

If your advisee mentions that he/she is interested in Study Abroad, please help him/her know which classes are required for his/her degree. Are there specific classes that must be taken at PSU? Are there classes that can be taken online? Is there a practicum or special topics class that he/she could complete abroad?

2. Course Approval

Each student who will be participating in a individual study abroad program must complete a Course Credit Transfer form. This allows the student to be registered in a place holding study abroad course for the time that he/she will be abroad.

Advisors can help students know if courses will count toward a general education, major, or minor course. The department chair of each course must then sign to approve the courses.

Students are encouraged to have more courses approved than they will take abroad. In the case that there are changes in course schedules, course cancellations, or closed courses when the student arrives at the program, this will help the student be prepared.

The Assistant Registrar & Transcript Analyst will give the final approval for credit transfer. Please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator with any questions.

3. Participation in Non-English Exchange University Programs

Each student who applies to a non-English exchange university and wishes to take classes in the host country's language must have a recommendation from the English & Modern Languages department as part of his/her application. If there are questions about courses and course credit transfer when dealing with non-English exchanges, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator.

4. Student Questions

If one of your advisees is interested in studying abroad, please tell him/her to contact contact the Study Abroad Coordinator in International Programs & Services, Whitesitt 118 or via email studyabroad@pittstate.edu. We are happy to help answer any questions.

PSU in Paraguay Teaching

Go to our PSU in Paraguay Faculty page to learn more about how to help this amazing partnership with Pittsburg State University and Paraguay.

Steps to Leading a Faculty-Led Program

1. Read The Handbook

The Faculty-Led Program Handbook contains all of the details for planning and leading a faculty-led program. This checklist simplifies what is required, but please feel free to contact the Study Abroad Coordinator with any questions that you have and/or if you would like to discuss the process.

It is best to start planning a faculty-led program at least 8-12 months in advance.

2. Talk to the Study Abroad Coordinator & Colleagues

Whether you would like to use a study abroad company or plan the program yourself, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss your plans. Our office will be happy to help ensure that the planning process go as smoothly as possible.

The many faculty members who have led faculty-led programs are also great resources!

3. Design Your Program

There are many ways to plan a program. Faculty leaders can:

  • work with our exchange partner universities abroad
  • use academic travel companies that customize group programs for universities
  • use contacts and connections that they have to create a program on their own

The Study Abroad Office has a list of study abroad companies with which faculty have worked in the past. Feel free to ask!

4. Complete the Approval Process

Before you can advertise your program to students or students can enroll, the PSU Study Abroad Committee must approve your program. Please submit your program proposal to the Study Abroad Coordinator in Whitesitt 118. Our office can provide sample proposals, if you would like.

After your proposal is accepted, the Study Abroad Coordinator will be in touch with the next steps. You can also review the checklist here.

Useful Links for Faculty Leaders