Faculty-Directed Programs
**Includes all UM-related International Group Travel Experiences
Education Abroad encourages all UM faculty to consider developing a faculty-directed study abroad program. Faculty are key to the success of study abroad at the University of Montana as they have a tremendous influence on students' learning and development. Education abroad is looking forward to assisting program directors at all stages of program development and management, including in proposal development assistance, marketing and recruitment of participants, student application process management, student and faculty pre-departure preparations, financial oversight, payments to vendors/providers, and budget reconciliation upon return. Education Abroad also provides program director trainings and resources on health, safety, emergency, and financial issues to ensure institutional, MUS and federal compliance.
NEW: Program Directors of all UM-related international group travel experiences are required to follow the Faculty-Directed Program procedures.
You will need to choose one of the following two structures. You can access the appropriate proposal application and information from the tabs below. If you are unsure as to which category your program fits into, contact Education Abroad.
Travel Structures
Hybrid Self and State-Support Program
Students register and pay for UM state-support credits for the prep-course. UMOnline will charge students for the study abroad fee. Faculty are paid using funds from this study abroad fee. Summer programs register in spring semester with an expectation that students receive preparatory instruction.
Beginning with AY 2023-2024, in order to meet federal financial aid regulations while being mindful of affordability for UM students, faculty-directed study abroad programs may be offered in any of the following way in this structure:
- Option 1: The prep-course is offered in the regular spring term with a 1-credit travel course (1 credit maximum) offered immediately following in the extended spring term. The travel course must conclude no later than two (2) weeks after the end of the regular spring term. In this model, students will register for the prep-course during the regular spring term and be eligible to apply for federal financial aid; and students will be registered in a 1-credit travel course through UMOnline during the extended spring term and be eligible to apply for federal financial aid through a consortium agreement. UMOnline will charge students for the study abroad fee.
- Option 2: The course is offered during the regular fall term with a 1-credit travel course (1 credit maximum) offered between the regular fall and spring terms in the extended spring term. The travel course must conclude before the start of the regular spring term. In this model, students will register for the prep-course during the regular fall term and be eligible to apply for federal financial aid; and students will be registered in a 1-credit travel course through UMOnline during the extended spring term and be eligible to apply for federal financial aid through a consortium agreement. UM Online will charge students for the study abroad fee.
- Option 3: The course is offered completely in the regular summer term. In this model, students will register for the course during the regular summer term and be eligible to apply for federal financial aid if they are taking the minimum numbers of credits required for summer aid eligibility (6 credits). A study abroad fee will be attached to the course during the regular summer term and billed through student billing.
Students register and pay for UM Online extended credits and pay a program fee to UM Online or the external sponsoring organization. Faculty are paid by an external sponsoring organization.
Consider the following important points:
- All University-related group travel with undergraduate students is required to have at least two program leaders for groups of 20 or less, and an additional leader for every 10 students or portion thereof. If two trip leaders are not possible, a contracted local logistics provider at your destination may serve as an alternative. The contracted provider will perform all of the functions that are expected of a program leader.
- Your faculty-directed program pre-proposal application should be submitted by the deadline stated in the "Deadlines" table below. This allows adequate time to receive program approval, arrange logistics, market the program, accept applications, and prepare the group for departure.
- Faculty-directors should not market their program to students or accept students to participate until their program has been approved.A timeline for approval can be found in the "Proposal Review Process" information.
- The academics, program logistics, safety and security of students and program leaders who participate in UM Education Abroad Programs are extremely important. Therefore, all undergraduate and graduate programs sponsored by UM must be reviewed and approved by UM Education Abroad, sponsoring Academic Department and College, and International Travel Revied Committee. In some cases, programs may also require approval from UM’s Legal Counsel and Risk Management.
Deadlines
Deadlines for hybrid self and state support programs:
| Program Term | Deadline |
| Spring/Summer | First Friday in April of the prior year |
| Fall/Winter | First Friday in November of the prior year |
Deadlines for sponsored programs:
| Program Term | Deadline |
| Spring | First Friday in September of the prior year |
| Summer | First Friday in November of the prior year |
| Fall/Winter | First Friday in February of the prior year |