Curriculum Audit

(Semesters C) 2007, Dr. Sandi Smith, Director of Institutional Relations, Global Learning

In this decade, the internationalization is the hype and dogma of colleges and universities in the United States. This generation of "millennium" has challenged students in American higher education to make globalization more relevant and meaningful in the curriculum and learning experiences. However, many institutions do not really know where to start and what direction to take.

Before a college or university can make a corporate strategy to develop study abroad, it is essential that the institution conduct an internal audit to better understand the strengths and relevant institutional barriers to study abroad . Since the administration of programs of study abroad is in fact a microcosm of a whole university, it is very relevant to understanding the political parallel, procedures and services that are the foundation of the institutional administration study abroad programs and services.

The following institutional audit process was developed by Dr. Sandi M. Smith for professional development workshop for administrative Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) entitled "Developing an institutional framework for maximizing study abroad .

Use the questions below is a checklist to monitor the verification elements that you are finished. Gather as much information regarding specific issues as possible. Take notes in the column, if necessary, and keep a file of all materials, documents, examples, and contact information you collect during this process.

1) Does your school have a dean or vice president in charge of internationalization and / or international education?

2) Your school has a faculty committee in charge of internationalization and / or international issues?

3) Does your school have at least one person who is appointed director, coordinator or advisor for study abroad in his job description?

4) Does your school have already established a study abroad office?

5) Does your school have written policies and procedures for study abroad?

6) Someone from your institution collect data on students who study abroad each year?

7) Is it someone from your school to present the IIE Open Doors data collection survey?

8) Your study mentions the institutional mission statement abroad, internationalization, preparing citizens for a global society, etc.?

9) What committee is responsible for reviewing and approving academic policies and procedures?

10) Who does this committee report to?

11) Who is currently chairman of this committee?

12) Is it someone from your school are members of NAFSA, AIEA, The Forum on Education Abroad, IIE, or other international organizations, professional organizations?

13) Are there any faculty of your institution who take students outside the United States for study tours (study abroad, field research, internships, etc.)?

14) Who / what office is responsible for signing international agreements on exchange agreements,?

15) Does your school currently has exchange agreements and / or international agreements?

16) Does your school affiliations or partnerships with consortia or study abroad program providers?

17) Are there any teachers involved in international research projects and / or cooperation agreements with foreign institutions?

18) Who / what office has the authority to approve the transfer of credit?

19) What are the criteria and standards for approving transfer credits?

20) Who / what office process transfer credit?

21) Who / what office manages admissions.