Faculty-Led Proposals
Timely Updates
Proposals now open for AY 2026-2027. to begin the process for a new semester.
Questions? Call Hilary Ruff (Coordinator of Faculty-Led Programs) at 828-227-4933 or for assistance.
Program Support
- Program planning is a team effort. Let us help you navigate process both pre-and-post arrival. .
- slide deck for program planning


Proposal Process
- to express interest in planning a faculty-led program.
You aren't commiting to running a trip, this just gets you access to all the planning documents and information. - Respond to action emails from facultyledtravel@wcu.edu, Canvas, and Microsoft Teams. These messages are time sensitive and are central to commencing the proposal process.
- Review the proposal steps and related documentation. Read messages posted in the Teams Leader Group.
- Submit Steps 1-3 (Proposal Form, Detailed Itenerary, Policy 100 Form, Proposed Budget) no later than the proposal deadline. See deadlines below.
All leaders, both new and returning, are encouraged to reach out to our office for assistance throughout all stages of the proposal process. We are more than happy to help brainstorm, assist with form completion, etc.
There are four types of Faculty-Led Travel Courses:
- Courses taught in domestic locations across the United States and surrounding territories
- Overseas courses taught in foreign countries
- Faculty teaching courses abroad at partner universities
- Language intensive or other courses taught at 3rd Party sites
Unsure which program type is right for you? Do you want to propose a non-standard program format? Please reach out to us for assistance.
Proposed programs must exist completely inside one of these three date ranges.
Fall Semester
First day of class - 14 calendar days following the last day of Fall exams
Spring Semester
14 calendar days before classes start - last day of Spring exams
Summer Semester
All days inbetween the end of Spring exams and the start of Fall classes
Trips are not allowed to span two seperate designations due to conflicts with course creation, student registration, and financial aid regulations. Date guidelines are not credit dependant, since not-for-credit programs still involve banner course building and student registration. Summer Semester programs do not adhere to the Minimester/Session 1/Session 2 paradigm, with adherance to the dates above being the most important guideline. Not certain if your trip will qualify? Please reach out to us for assistance.
The Proposal Form requests three sets of dates:
Travel Dates
What day will students depart from home and what day will they return home? These
dates will be advertized as "program dates" during reruitment. All Travel Dates must
adhere to the semester date range listed above.
Faculty Dates
When will faculty leave from home and when will faculty return home? These can be
the same as "Travel Dates" or completely different. Extended faculty dates may be
beneficial for some trips, allowing leaders a chance to handle on-location logistical
concerns before or after student participants arrive. These dates are important for
budgeting reasons. All Faculty Dates must adhere to the semester date range listed
above.
Banner Dates
Build in time for pre/post travel instruction, student reflections, assignment submission,
and student grading. Dates are left to faculty and departmental discretion. Starting Summer 2026, WCU Global will automatically extend all Banner Dates until the end of Session 1 or
Session 2 - whichever is closest to the final Travel Date. This adjustment ensures
wrap-up time is built-in during a semester when not all faculty are otherwise employed
as an instructor of record. Outside of this new guideline, faculty remain in full
control of their Banner Dates. All Banner Dates must adhere to the semester date range
listed above.
| Program Term | Submit Program Application (all year prior) |
|---|---|
| Fall | Last day of November |
| Spring | Last day of May |
| Summer | Last day of May |