Program directors will need to meet with their Education Abroad Coordinator to build a detailed program budget.  The EA Coordinator will help you complete the correct template for your specific program type. Things to consider when finalizing your budget include logistics for instruction, group meals, transportation, lodging, and program activities. 

Once your budget is complete, it will be routed to the EA Business Office, the EA Assistant Director of Finances and Operational Management, and to the sponsoring college for final approval.  Students cannot apply for your program until your budget has been fully approved.

Program information is managed via the Education Abroad Faculty Portal.  This portal allows program directors to review applicants and edit their program descriptions online.

To begin using the Faculty Portal, open a Web browser and go to https://osa.isp.msu.edu/.

On the left-hand side of the page, click on the “Please Log In.”

You will then be asked for your MSU NetID where you will log-in as you would to other MSU systems such as EBS.

If you have never used the EA Faculty Portal before, you will be asked to fill out user account information.  Please fill out the form completely. If you wish you can use your office information for your local and permanent address. Once logged in, you will be returned to the “Welcome” page and given more options within the “Main Menu”.

To access the Faculty Portal, click on the “Faculty/Staff” link at the bottom of the list.

The Office for Education Abroad provides two types of information to students – a flyer and a webpage.

The flyer is a downloadable PDF file printable that provides an overview of your program.

The webpage contains the full details of your program. 

As a program director, you will enter and edit information for both the flyer and webpage via the “Program Profile” option within the EA Faculty Portal.

To access the Program Profile, choose “Program Management” after you’ve logged into the EA Portal.  Choose the session you wish to update and choose “Edit Program Profile.”

For the flyer, provide a brief (200 words) introduction about your program and one horizontal photo (jpg file) for the main image.  One additional photo can be added, but may decrease the font size in the left column of the flyer.  Information displayed in the left column (green section) is generated from the EA Database and is maintained by the program coordinator for your program.  You do not have access to change this information.

For the webpage, provide detailed information in the following categories:

1. Program Description: A paragraph or two about the program and how it is beneficial for students to participate; can be identical to what is on the flyer, however you are not limited in terms of word count on the Web.
2. Academics: Include actual courses, number of credits, class information, field trips, etc. (note all IAH and ISS courses must be pre-approved)
3. Requirements: Include any requirements or recommendations students should have to participate in your program. Minimum eligibility requirements include a 2.0 GPA, good academic standing, and an essay for semester-length programs; you may choose to include requirements above and beyond these minimum qualifications.
4. Housing: Write a paragraph or two about where the students will be housed throughout the program.
5. Biography: This is an optional section for you to include information about your background and experience.

The passport/visa and health tabs contain standard language and cannot be changed.

The cost tab is automatically updated when your budget is finalized.

Once you are satisfied with the information, simply click “Request Publishing” and your revisions will be reviewed by the Office for Education Abroad. Upon approval, all information will be posted to your program’s webpage.

NOTE: If you are logged in to the faculty portal, a watermark will be displayed (Draft – not for distribution) on your flyer preview as the database assumes you are editing when logged into the portal.  To print a clean copy of your flyer, log out of the faculty portal.  Find your program via the Program Search on our webpage and click the “print flyer” option at the bottom on the main page.

To review student applicants for your program, choose “Review Applicants” after you’ve logged into the EA Portal.  Then choose the session you wish to review applicants.

This page lists the available applicants. It gives you the option to send an email, download the student list, and see the overall status of your requests.

To email students, select the checkbox next to their name and click on “Email”

To download a participant list, click on “Download”

To review an applicant, click on “View Application”

Please note: Students “Awaiting Judicial Clearance” indicates that their judicial record is being reviewed as part of the normal procedures. It is not an indication of student conduct issues.

Click on the “View Application” button to access a summary of the student, their essay (where applicable), and their unofficial transcript for MSU. When you are ready to make a decision about the current applicant, click on the “Make Decision” button.

To make a decision on an applicant, simply fill out the form. Start by selecting your “Decision” as the questions may change based on that choice. When complete, click on “Save”.

Be sure to review Selecting and Accepting Students to learn more about student admittance, academic and course administration, finances, and personal travel.

Before you begin recruiting, the basic elements of your program (dates, course offerings, housing, cost, etc.) need to be finalized as those factors impact whether or not a student chooses to participate.

Ideally, you should begin marketing your program at least one year in advance.

Your efforts and creativity in publicizing your program determines its success. Review Promoting a Program for tips on recruiting, including how to schedule Information Meetings and participating in the annual Education Abroad Expo.

As a new program director, you will need to attend a Critical Incident Management Seminar.  These seminars are offered through the Office of International Health and Safety and are required prior to your departure. Seminars are offered in person and online.

Also be sure to carefully review Information for Program Directors on the Office of International Health and Safety’s webpage.