Develop a Semester/Summer Direct Enroll Program

A direct enrollment program is one where Penn State students enroll in courses at a foreign institution, university, or third-party provider for the duration of the education abroad experience. This type of program often provides broad course offerings that appeal to students from a wide variety of majors.

The staff in the Education Abroad Office are available to support proposers throughout the process. The first step in proposing a new semester-long or summer direct enroll education abroad program is to have a consultation meeting with the Director of Education Abroad either in person or by phone if the proposer is not able to meet at the University Park campus. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the academic nature of the proposed program, including but not limited to course/s to be taught, faculty sponsors or leaders, departmental and College support, and the marketing of the program. It is important to explore likely student interest in the program concept and location prior to the meeting. The meeting should be with the faculty person or persons proposing the program, and the associate director of Education Abroad may also request that the liaison with the proposer’s academic College or campus be present as well. 

If after the consultation meeting, it is agreed that the program concept is likely to enhance existing education abroad program offerings, the next step is to complete the online proposal documents and the two required academic recommendations. However, the online proposal forms should not be started until the consultation meeting has concluded and the proposal idea is accepted by the associate director of Education Abroad.

There is a two-step online program proposal process managed by the Education Abroad unit of Penn State Global. All new education abroad programs must be proposed by a faculty member or University administrator according to the timelines established by Penn State Global. The proposal requires electronic recommendations or approvals from two members of academic College or campus leadership.

For education abroad programs to be run during the summer semester, the online proposal is due by June 1 of the previous year. If the proposed program is to be run at any time of year besides summer, please plan to submit the proposal approximately 12 months in advance.

Once the proposal materials have been submitted and reviewed by the director of Education Abroad, the Vice Provost for Global will consult with the Director of Education Abroad concerning the merits of the proposal. If approved, the proposer will be notified in writing, and a plan to implement the new program will commence thereafter.