Steps, Process & Timeline
Program development timeline
The following gives you a general overview of the steps, process, and timeline involved in developing a new program.
| Step | What | When |
| One | Meeting about program idea | 18+ months prior |
| Two | Submission of New Idea Questionnaire | 14-18 months prior |
| Three | Review of New Idea | 2-3 weeks after receipt of questionnaire |
| Four | Program Vetting | 12 -14 months prior |
| Five | Program Proposal | 10-12 months prior |
| Six | Program Approval | 8-10 months prior |
Programs process & steps
Step 1: Meeting about program idea
Due to the complexities involved in setting up a new student opportunity, advanced planning is essential. Your first step is meeting with a study abroad office. Ideas proposed by departments in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences or Wisconsin School of Business should work with their respective study abroad offices. All other schools and colleges, including the College of Engineering, work with staff in International Academic Programs.
Meeting with a study abroad office allows you to explain your program idea so that we can learn more about your goals and provide feedback on the idea. It is also an opportunity to share with you the various steps, as outlined below, of developing a new opportunity, relevant study abroad policies, and to provide an overview of the services that we provide.
Step 2: Submission of new program questionnaire
Following our meeting, you will be provided with a new idea questionnaire. Your submission of this questionnaire is the first step for beginning a formal review of your program idea.
Step 3: Review of program idea
Our leadership team will review your new idea after receiving a new idea questionnaire. Feedback is typically shared with you two to three weeks after receipt of the questionnaire. Feedback may include questions that require answers before the development of the idea may continue. It will also include confirmation that development may continue.
Step 4: Program vetting
Program vetting is the process we use to fully evaluate and develop new program ideas. Our approach is guided by UW-Madison and Universities of Wisconsin System policies that govern study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship opportunities, along with best practices in the profession including those related to program academics, student health and safety, program administration, and sustainability.
The time it takes to appropriately vet a program depends on the specifics of the program. Our staff manage the process and work in partnership with you to collect the necessary information to ensure appropriate development of the program.
Step 5: Program proposal
All new programs must be reviewed and approved by the International Academic Programs Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC). The proposal follows a standard outline that includes the key characteristics and rationale for the new program. This is the final step for program approval*.
In addition to the proposal, you will need to provide the following materials in support of the proposal:
- Draft syllabi for all UW-Madison created program courses.
- Letter of support from sponsoring department’s chair.
The letter should state how the program support’s the department’s academic mission and note all approved UW-Madison courses equivalents. The letter should be on department/college letterhead and signed. We can provide you with a template letter.
* UW-Madison international travel policy, prohibits students, including graduate and professional students, to travel to U.S. Department of State (DoS) level 3 and/or 4 advisory locations or a CDC level 3 warning location, or to locations otherwise identified as a “Travel Warning locations” by the Provost. Programs that fall within the scope of this travel policy must seek additional approval through a waiver for consideration for travel to the location.
Step 6: Program Approval
After a program proposal is reviewed and approved by the FAC, we will work with you to set up everything that is needed to make the program available to students, including program page development, application process, marketing materials, and preparation for the first program offering. Information regarding those steps will be shared with you. Your program will have dedicated UW-Madison study abroad staff that will assist you through the entire process.