We're now accepting faculty interest for BSU-in-Alcalá and BSU-in-Lincoln through January 15th. Faculty interested in teaching BSU courses in Spain or England: read on!
What is BSU-in?
In short, it is a Study-Abroad-Office-directed, BSU-faculty-led, semester-long study abroad program. This program emerges from a commitment to increasing student access, providing programs of the highest academic value, and keeping study abroad enrollments within the institution.
BSU students, BSU faculty, BSU courses, BSU prices -- on a host campus abroad. The Rinker Center for Global Affairs is hearing the message loud and clear-- students DO want to study abroad, and the primary barriers seem to be cost and relevance to degree plan. BSU-in addresses both of these concerns! It is priced to students at the exact same cost of a BSU on-campus semester, almost to the dollar-- it does NOT cost extra! And it features Ball State courses and Ball State faculty, with an emphasis on UCC courses and intro-level courses that might satisfy requirements for just about every BSU undergrad. It also features flexibility-- students are allowed to take an online course or two while they are abroad, which means students from many different majors may be able to study abroad for a whole semester without setting them behind on their progress toward graduation.
What about teaching at BSU-in?
Faculty for BSU-in are loaded to teach in this program according to the academic unit's needs/goals. Loadings for BSU-in courses happen within the academic unit-- so if there's a class your department offers that might be a good fit for BSU-in-Lincoln, you would be loaded to teach that course in the UK instead of in Muncie. As a rule of thumb, BSU-in offers a menu of 4-8 courses taught by a team of 2-4 faculty. The program should offer courses from a variety of disciplines, with preference given to UCC courses (from Foundations, any Ways of Knowing, and/or any Beneficience Themes). We can also consider non-UCC courses on a case-by-case basis. Because we're working collaboratively with departments, we will remain flexible with the details of faculty loading; in previous BSU-in programs, for example, one faculty member taught one 15-week BSU-in course and three other courses online (not associated with the program). Another faculty member taught two BSU-in courses on a ten-week calendar and two courses online (not associated with the program). One faculty member traveled on site just for a five-week course-- the rest of his loading was on the main (Muncie) during the first ten weeks of the semester. Currently we can do placements both for full-semester and for partial semester. We work together-- Study Abroad, faculty member, and academic unit-- to determine the best fit.
Who covers travel costs for BSU-in faculty?
Housing, flights, excursions, and ground transportation are covered by the program (Study Abroad). We will also provide a modest stipend to assist with other incidental costs. Salary compensation is through the academic unit-- this program is loaded through the academic units, so your salary should remain constant.
How can I increase my chances of being selected for a BSU-in teaching team?
Faculty for BSU-in are selected collaboratively between Study Abroad and the academic units. The most desirable BSU-in faculty members are those who can teach at least one UCC course-- and even better if you can offer more than one UCC course. We can also consider non-UCC courses on a case-by-case basis, especially if the non-UCC course is in addition to at least one UCC course. As we move to a new core curriculum, the program is preparing to adjust as necessary. One of the most important factors in selection of the courses and faculty is the enthusiastic endorsement from your Chair. We strongly suggest discussing with your unit leader before formally indicating interest to Study Abroad.
BSU-in-Alcalá, Spring '27
Just 40 minutes from the center of Madrid, Alcalá de Henares is a buzzing international city known for its 15th-century university, its charming historic center, and its literary legacy as the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes. The city blends medieval architecture with modern student life, creating a warm, walkable, and academically rich environment. Our host, the Franklin Institute—an innovative study abroad center housed within the Universidad de Alcalá—offers an engaging, international learning community with strong support for visiting faculty and students. With its welcoming atmosphere and easy access to Spain’s capital, Alcalá provides a quintessential European teaching experience in a setting that is both historic and vibrant.
BSU-in-Lincoln, Spring '27
Set in the heart of England, Lincoln is a historic cathedral city known for its stunning Gothic architecture, medieval quarter, and lively university community. With its blend of ancient cobblestone streets, independent shops, and a vibrant arts and culture scene, Lincoln offers students a distinctly British experience in a setting that’s welcoming, manageable, and deeply connected to the country’s heritage. We’ll be based at a local university known for its modern facilities and strong student-centered environment. Lincoln provides an excellent balance: a rich historical backdrop paired with contemporary campus life—making it a compelling location for faculty interested in teaching abroad in the UK.
These locations/terms aren't right for me/my department, but I'm very interested in this program. Is a different BSU-in location/term a possibility?
Yes. Locations for BSU-in will change each term (and some locations may be recurring, depending on student and faculty interest). Fall 2024 was in Puebla, Mexico. Spring 2025 was in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Fall 2025 is in Seoul, South Korea. Spring 2026 is in both Dublin, Ireland and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Future locations beyond Spring 2027 are tentative-- Fall 2027 will tentatively be a two-country program -- Morocco and Ghana. You are welcome to indicate interest at any time, even if it's for a future term/location, but please keep in mind that no action will yet be taken for programs after Spring '27.
What next?
Interested faculty are encouraged to discuss with their Department Chairs and Ashley Coker, Director of Study Abroad (acoker@bsu.edu, 285.2652). Then please indicate your interest in teaching at BSU-in by completing this interest form. While we accept interest forms on a rolling basis for all future terms, we suggest submitting for BSU-in-Lincoln or BSU-in-Alcala by February 15th or sooner. The Study Abroad Office's goal is to confirm the Spring 2027 teaching teams no later than May 1st.