How to Design A Program
Designing a short-term experiential program is an opportunity to bring your academic expertise to life in a dynamic, real-world setting. While each program reflects the unique vision of its faculty leader, successful courses are grounded in thoughtful decisions about topic, location, structure, and student experience.
Programs typically take 8–12 months to develop, so early planning is key. The guidance below will help you move from initial concept to a well-structured, engaging, and feasible proposal.
Step 1: Define the Core Elements
- Define Your Topic
Choose a focus that is academically meaningful and compelling to students, with clear potential for applied, real-world learning. Consider student interest and demand, including whether the course may appeal beyond your home department. Explore opportunities to gather input from students as you refine your idea.
Your topic may build on existing curriculum or introduce new areas of study, but in all cases should offer substantial academic content that meets—or exceeds—the rigor of a traditional course. Be mindful of scope, ensuring the material is appropriate for the target audience and achievable within the program’s timeframe.
- Select a Location
Identify a destination that strengthens your course objectives and enhances the student learning experience. The most effective programs have a clear connection between the topic and the location, allowing students to engage directly with relevant industries, organizations, and cultural contexts.
While having familiarity with a destination can simplify planning, new locations can be equally successful when supported by strong partnerships or local expertise. As you evaluate options, consider factors such as cultural context, safety, and overall student appeal.
Faculty are also encouraged to think broadly about geographic and sector diversity—selecting locations that expose students to different economies, industries, and perspectives, particularly those that complement existing curriculum.
Finally, consider how location influences program format. Courses may take place entirely off-site or include an embedded travel component that complements on-campus learning. Fully off-site programs may also incorporate pre-departure coursework or virtual modules to prepare students for the in-country experience.
- Determine Timing & Duration
Decide when your course will be offered and how long students will be on-site. Programs may be embedded within a fall or spring semester or offered as stand-alone experiences during the summer or academic breaks, such as spring or winter break. Most short-term programs take place during these condensed periods to maximize accessibility for students.
As you determine timing, consider factors such as the academic calendar, weather, holidays, and travel time. You may also choose to align the program with a conference, festival, or other location-specific event that enhances the learning experience.
Short-term programs typically include 1–2 weeks of off-site travel. While longer durations are possible, they are less common and may limit student participation. Be sure to align the length of the program with your course objectives, ensuring there is sufficient time on-site for meaningful engagement while remaining manageable for students.
Step 2: Plan for Feasibility
- Organize Logistics
Plan the operational details that will support a smooth and successful program experience. This includes determining group size, securing accommodations, arranging local transportation, and coordinating on-site activities. You should also consider whether to manage these arrangements independently or partner with a company/program provider, and whether additional instructional support—such as a teaching assistant—will be needed.
Enrollment is another key consideration. Faculty may choose to limit participation to GWSB students or open the course to students from other GW schools or even other universities. While undergraduate students may be included, the majority of participants should be at the graduate level; programs designed primarily for undergraduate students are managed through GW’s Office for Study Abroad.
Short-term programs typically enroll between 14–25 students. As you plan, consider how group size will impact logistics, student experience, and overall program feasibility.
- Evaluate Costs/Affordability
Develop a realistic budget that accounts for all major program expenses, including airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, instructional costs, honoraria, and cultural or program-related activities. Consulting knowledgeable sources and obtaining price estimates early in the planning process can help ensure accuracy.
As you build your budget, consider overall affordability for students. Programs should be priced within a reasonable range for the target student population and remain comparable to similar offerings. Balancing a high-quality experience with cost accessibility is key to supporting strong enrollment and program success.
Step 3: Design for Impact
- Program Design Principles
Strong programs are intentionally designed to deliver meaningful, high-quality learning experiences. As you develop your course, consider the following principles:
Academic Rigor: Content should meet or exceed the standards of a traditional course, with clear learning objectives and meaningful intellectual engagement.
Connection to Place: The location should play an integral role in the learning experience, offering context that enhances course themes and deepens student understanding.
Industry & Organizational Engagement: Engage with businesses, policymakers, NGOs, and other experts who can extend learning beyond the classroom through real-world context and applied insights.
Diversity of Perspectives: Incorporate a range of geographies, economies, and sectors to broaden student perspectives and complement existing curriculum.
Feasibility & Student Experience: Ensure the scope, pacing, and expectations are appropriate for the program length and student audience, creating a manageable and rewarding experience.
Sustainability & Partnerships: Programs that foster long-term relationships with host organizations or locations—and have the potential to be repeated over time—are strongly encouraged.
As you refine your idea, G&EE is available to support you at every stage—from early planning through proposal submission and program delivery. For assistance, contact sbintl
gwu [dot] edu (sbintl[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Ready to move forward? Submit your proposal to begin the review process and start bringing your program to life.