Guidelines for Petitioning a Non-Bucknell Approved Program

Bucknell University has 130 approved programs in close to 50 countries.  Students wishing to participate on a program which is not on the list of approved programs must submit a proposal to the Committee on International Education.  The committee is composed of a faculty member from each of the academic divisions (Natural Science and Math, Engineering, Humanities, and Social Sciences); Dean Midkiff, representing the Provost’s Office; a representative from the Office of International Education; and two student representatives (one appointed by BSG and one selected by the committee).  The committee meets once a month throughout the academic year. Approval to participate on a non-approved program is uncommon and consists of a review of academic need, fit and rigor, health and safety, and program design (immersion, housing, excursions, etc.). Location (desire to be in a particular city), specific program dates (i.e., wanting a program that ends in time for your summer internship), housing option, or attending a program with a friend are not normally strong arguments for a proposal.  We strongly recommend that students follow the guidelines below and include all of the information listed below.

Deadlines for submitting proposals for Fall 2009, Full Year 2009 -2010:  December 1, 2008.

Spring 2010:  March 31, 2009.

What must be included in the proposal?

The proposed program should answer all of the following questions:

  1. Why have you chosen this program? How does it fit your academic needs? Please include an academic worksheet with your proposal (This worksheet can be found on the reverse side of the Advisor Approval form for the Bucknell application).

  2. What is  unique about the design of the program that will help you meet your academic goals in a way that none of the approved programs can? Please be sure to compare your program to an approved program that meets your academic needs and goals.

  3. How is the program designed?

    a. Dates of program

    b. Courses: What is a full courseload? How many hours are spent in class during a typical week? What is the first day of classes and the last day of classes? In which courses are you planning to enroll? Please include course descriptions for the courses that you plan to complete.

    c. Independent Research or Internship Opportunities: Does this program allow for either independent research or an internship?

    For independent research, you must verify that independent research is possible on this program and if no on-site advisor is possible, you must identify a Bucknell faculty member who is willing to serve as a mentor and to evaluate your work.

    For an internship: You must identify if there is a course associated with the internship.  Do you intend to seek credit for the internship? If so, you must have evidence of support from the department granting you credit.

    d. What kind of opportunities for cultural immersion does the program provide?

           i. Housing

           ii. Excursions

           iii. Events

           iv. Language partners (when applicable)

           v. Interaction with local students/community members

  4. What kind of other support does the program offer you?

    a. Orientation

    b. On-site/stateside staff (please include contact information)

    c. Health and Safety: What kind of support does the program offer for students regarding these issues? Does the program have a list of doctors? Do they discuss safety at orientation?
    The current practice at Bucknell University regarding travel warnings does not allow students to participate in programs which are located in countries in which the State Department has issued a travel warning.  Please consult www.travel.state.gov for current travel warning information.

  5. IF YOU ARE PROPOSING A PROGRAM IN FRANCE OR SPAIN, you must meet with the program director for the appropriate “Bucknell in” program to discuss your proposal and address the results of this conversation in your application.

SUMMARY: Proposal should be submitted in electronic and paper form to the Office of International Education, and includes:
• Essay (with all of the above questions answered)
• Academic worksheet
• Course descriptions
• Additional program information (including contact information)
• Transcript (will be requested on your behalf by the Office of International Education).

Please meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor in the Office of International Education to discuss your proposal before it is reviewed by the Committee on International Education.