Faculty-Led Domestic Travel
Program Features
Overview
Faculty-Led Domestic Travel Study programs are short-term, credit-bearing experiences within the United States that allow students to explore diverse regions and communities while completing coursework led by faculty. These programs combine classroom learning with on-site experiences, helping students stay on track for graduation while gaining valuable academic and cultural insights. Programs vary in length, and classes are taught by Sac State faculty.
At-a-Glance
- Discipline-specific learning that supplements the Sacramento State curriculum
- Placement of a discipline in other parts of the United States
- Region-specific learning
- Personal and professional development
Audience
- Sacramento State students seeking to earn academic credit toward graduation
- Community college students or students from other universities interested in earning Sacramento State academic credit
- Community members seeking academic credit for professional development
Format
In-person
Prerequisites
Varies by individual program
Course Offerings
Costs
Varies by individual programs
How to Apply
Basic Requirements
Domestic faculty-led programs are open to matriculated and non-matriculated students.
If you are a community college student, a student from another university, or a community member who would like to earn academic credit from Sacramento State, please contact the program coordinator for more information.
To be eligible to participate in any faculty-led program, you must:
- Complete and submit the program application
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete program prerequisites (if applicable)
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Students may withdraw from the program at any time before the program begins. To withdraw from a program, students must submit a request in writing to the Faculty-Led Study Program Coordinator stating their decision to withdraw from their program. Students are responsible for any expenses incurred on their behalf until the date that the withdrawal form has been received.
After a withdrawal request is received, students will be eligible to receive a refund based on the following withdrawal schedule:
| Timeline of Student Withdrawal Refund | Refund |
|---|---|
| 90 – 60 days prior to start date | Forfeit 50% of amount paid. Students are responsible for the total amount that has already been spent on the student’s behalf such as admission fees, transportation, meals, accommodation, tours, etc. |
| 59 – 30 calendar days prior to start date | Forfeit 75% of amount paid. Students are responsible for the total amount that has already been spent on the student’s behalf such as admission fees, transportation, meals, accommodation, tours, etc. |
| Less than 29 days prior to start date and after program commences | No refund |
Funds spent on a student’s behalf will be retained to ensure that the costs to the other students in the program do not increase as a result of a smaller group size.
If a student is dismissed from a program at any time due to behavioral, academic, legal, or other related issues, no refunds will be given. In this case, any expenditures relating to the students dismissal and early return are the responsibility of the student.
Please note: If a program is cancelled due to under-enrollment, 100% of the students’ payments will be refunded.
FAQ
Application
Can I apply to multiple programs?
Yes, you may apply for multiple programs as long as the program dates don’t overlap. If you wish to participate in more than one program, you will need to contact Alessandra McMorris, our program coordinator to directly to discuss this option.
Do I need to be enrolled in the course to join the program? Can I participate in the program without taking the Sac State course?
Faculty-led programs are academic programs and each program is connected to a Sacramento State course. Therefore, all participants must be enrolled in the course(s) to participate in the faculty-led program.
What is the process for submitting my application if I am not a Sac State student?
Non-matriculated Sac State students can apply to short-term programs and will be enrolled as Open University (OU) students upon acceptance. You will go through the same application process as matriculated students.
If accepted to a program, your program coordinator will submit a request for a Sacramento State ID number to be issued. Once the Sacramento State ID number is issued, you will be able to activate your Sacramento State account, make your program payment, and complete your online pre-departure orientation.
Can I apply to participate in a faculty-led program if I will officially graduate in May?
If you are not planning to use the units toward your graduation requirement and will be officially graduating in May, you can submit your application. If accepted into the program, your enrollment will be categorized as Open University, since the course will run in the summer. Please note that you will not be able to use these units toward another degree program once you are enrolled as an Open University student.
Can I apply if I am currently a freshman?
If you are a freshman, we recommend checking with the faculty leader. While there may be programs open to all academic levels, some programs do require applicants to be in upper division standing to apply.
How will I be notified of my acceptance to my program?
Applications are processed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Once done, you will receive an acceptance email from the faculty-led program coordinator with instructions on how to make the first payment as well as payment deadlines. Once the first payment has been paid, you will then receive an official acceptance email from the faculty-led program coordinator with instructions on the next steps of the process.
Can I apply for a faculty-led course that falls outside of my program of study (major)?
Before applying, check with your major advisor to determine whether the faculty-led course fits in with your program of study (major).
In some cases, you may need special permission to register if the course falls outside your program of study. Please contact your program coordinator and/or faculty leader to learn if any academic requirements/prerequisites are required and discuss your eligibility before submitting your application.
Most faculty-led courses are open to all majors, and many fulfill upper division GE requirements.
How do I register for the faculty-led class?
After you submit your application, your program coordinator will send you an Add form.
How do I pay for the program?
You will need to pay your fees online through the Student Center found on My Sac State.
Financial Aid
Will I be able to use my financial aid towards my program?
Undergraduate students may be able to use their financial aid toward the faculty-led programs if they are planning to take a minimum of 1 unit during the summer session. Please note that if you do decide to also take a regular Sacramento State summer session course, you will be responsible to pay the Summer Session ($441 as of Summer 2023).
Graduate students may be able to use their financial aid toward the program if they are planning to take a minimum of 4 units during the summer session.
The financial aid disbursed for the summer faculty-led programs is part of your financial aid award for the academic year (fall and spring), we recommend saving some of your financial aid for the summer if you plan to participate in a faculty-led program. For more information on financial aid eligibility, please contact the financial aid coordinator as soon as possible to learn about the process of allocating your financial aid award toward your summer faculty-led program.
** Financial aid is not available for winter programs.
Can I use VA benefits towards my program fees?
Please contact the Veterans Success Center at vets@csus.edu or by phone: (916)278-6733.
Travel
Can my spouse/partners/children/parents travel with me?
No. All faculty-led programs are for students enrolled in a Sacramento State course or program; spouses/partners, children, parents, and friends may not participate in, overlap with, or plan personal/family travel experiences with participants during the program. If such a person affiliated with you disrupts the program, it may be grounds for your removal.
When can I purchase my flight?
Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements, unless the flight is included in the program fee.
Because faculty-led programs require a minimum number of enrolled students to run, please do not book your airfare until advised to do so by your program coordinator. If a course is canceled, tuition fees will be refunded.
Sacramento State is not responsible for refunding any personal expenses (e.g. flights, spending money, etc.) if the program is canceled for any reason.
Airfare and other individual expenses are the responsibility of the student. We suggest that at the time of purchase, participants should insure their flights against trip disruption and/or cancellation or have fully refundable tickets.
Can I travel independently before or after the program?
You are able to travel independently before or after your program, but you must arrive on time to join the program when it begins, and you may not depart from the program early for individual travel – otherwise your grade could be in jeopardy.
In the event of a delayed arrival, you will notify your faculty leader(s)/on-site coordinator and program coordinator. Sacramento State is not responsible for travel delays, inconveniences, or lost/stolen property. You will be financially responsible for any additional expenses incurred should you arrive early, prolong your personal travel, or for the loss/destruction of your personal property before, during and after the program.
Please note that during the program dates, you must remain with your group (except for any free time that your program leader schedules). Family members/spouses/friends can join you either before or after you complete your program, but not during the program. We have a strict policy that only the registered participants can travel with the group during the program dates; even if family members/spouses/friends stay in a different hotel, we still do not allow outside people to overlap with the programs. This is for risk management and so you can focus on your coursework.