Skip to content

Program Models


All study abroad courses must have clear learning objectives that connect with and justify travel to and within the host country. Course contact hours may be a combination of lectures, guest speakers, discussions, activities, community engagement, service learning, excursions, and more. 

The Education Abroad Office supports the development, administration, and delivery of the following types of credit-bearing courses (students enroll in a course and earn CSUSB credit):

  • Summer courses taught entirely or primarily outside the US, organized and led by one or more CSUSB faculty or staff member (typically 2-5 weeks in length)

  • Winter intersession courses taught primarily or entirely outside the US, organized and led by one or more CSUSB faculty or staff members (typically 1-3 weeks in length)

  • Hybrid courses taught any term primarily at CSUSB, but includes a required or optional International travel component (typically 1-2 weeks travel, arranged to coincide with Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, or Spring Break)


Additionally, there are several options for mapping contact hours to credit units. Contact hours represent supervised academic activity associated with the program, including direct and indirect instruction, time designated for student study and preparation, and transportation to and from instructional activities.

For regular, on-campus programs, the distribution of contact hours is 1 hour of in-class instruction and 2 hours of out-of-class course preparation and assignments per 1-unit, per week. In a 15-week semester, that totals 45 hours per unit.

The same number of contact hours are expected for study abroad programs, but there is much more flexibility in the way these hours are distributed across activities. Note also that although not all contact hours for an education abroad class must be completed in-country, any requirements outside of program dates must be disclosed to students before they enroll in the program.

Options include:

  • Standard course. All program participants will be enrolled in and receive credit units for the same course with the same contact hours.
  • Umbrella course. Because students may be required to take different courses for their program of study, they will enroll in a variety of “shell” courses that have different names and department course numbers, but carry the same number of credit units that are fulfilled through the same contact hours.
  • Course choice. Program participants choose between two or more courses (standard, umbrella, or a combination) each of which has its own, unique syllabus. While these courses may have some overlapping contact hours, each student receives credit units for only one course.
  • Multiple enrollment. Program participants enroll in one or more courses (standard, umbrella, or a combination) each of which has its own, unique syllabi. Where the student is receiving credit units for multiple classes, any overlapping contact hours will be connected to distinct learning objectives, assignments, and assessments in each course.
You can also choose to allow students the option to earn additional credits through independent study. Independent study requires 45 hours of supervised activity per credit unit. Contact hours might include directed reading, assignments, volunteer work, service learning, internship, research project, and so forth. If you offer an independent study option through your program, you (or your co-director, if applicable) will be the supervisor for these credit units and responsible for assessment. The supervisor and the student will be required to sign and file an independent study program plan with the Education Abroad Office prior to departure.
 

Other Options to Consider

Finding, budgeting for, and booking things like hotels, in-country transportation, classroom space, excursions, site visits, tour guides, and meals can be one of the biggest challenges of developing a CSUSB-led program. Those who have extensive on-the-ground experience might have less trouble than those who are not as familiar with the destination(s). 
 
Third Party Service Providers
Many CSUSB-led programs are organized in partnership with an Independent company that provides logistical support. The faculty or staff member proposing the program identifies the third party service provider they wish to work with and obtains a cost estimate (quote) and itinerary. A formal agreement is negotiated by the Education Abroad Office after the program has been approved.
 
All third party service providers are required to carry a General Liability Insurance Policy in amounts determined by the Chancellor's Office. Said policy shall be issued by an insurance company that maintains a rating of A.M. Best: A VII or equivalent. The provider shall be responsible for payment of all premiums on said policy. Any coverage maintained by CSUSB shall be excess of the provider’s insurance and shall not contribute with it. The policy shall also be endorsed to waive right of recovery (waiver of subrogation) against CSUSB.
 
Partner Institutions
The College of Extended and Global Education (CEGE) has established formal partnerships with many universities around the world. In some cases, these partners can help to coordinate logistics for CSUSB-led programs, including classroom space, accommodations, instruction, and assistance with connecting to guest speakers or local businesses, clinics, or government offices for site visits, service learning, and internships. The faculty or staff member proposing the program works directly with the College of Extended and Global Education (CEGE) to identify potential partner institutions, initiate discussions, and execute agreements. 
 
If you wish to work with a partner institution, set up an appointment with the CEGE Associate Dean of the Center for International Studies and Programs.