Viability Test

Viability Test

The following questions will help you determine your program's viability. 

1. Is there demand for additional study abroad opportunities in this location?

  • Do the existing programs in this location regularly fill to capacity?
  • Do students often participate in non-UofL programs in this location?
  • Are students frequently requesting to study in this location?
  • Or, does polling of students in your unit show a demand?

2. Is there demand for additional study abroad opportunities in this major?

  • Is there an absence of programs in this major?
  • Do existing programs in the major fill to capacity?
  • Or, do students in the major enroll in non-UofL programs?

(If the answer to these questions is ‘no,’ then the program may not be viable. If the answer to one is ‘yes’, then continue to the next questions.)

3. Are there any conflicts of interest that might prevent this program from going forward?

  • Would this program directly compete with an existing program sponsored or co-sponsored by UofL on existing programs available to UofL students?

4.  Is there sufficient instruction in English to support 12 hours for undergraduates and 9 hours for graduates?

4. Is this program going to a location in which there is a current State Department Travel Warning or is this location considered unstable or unsafe?

5.  What financial commitments are required?

  • How will tuition be handled?  For outgoing UofL international exchange agreements require students to pay tuition and any applicable fees to their home institutions, and tuition is waived at the institution abroad.  Incoming students tuition is generally waived here at UofL.
  • Are there additional costs for the program and how will they be covered? Examples may be room, board, fees, and books.

The department developing the exchange is responsible for creating the program, the student budgets, and any other program-related budgetary information.  This information will have to be provided to the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel before the program can be approved.

6. Do you have broad-based support from your department Chair and Dean to start this program? Is there sufficient administrative and staff support for the program?

  • Who will advise interested students?
  • Who will process the paperwork both before and after the program?
  • Who will provide support to, both academic and logistical, to incoming and outgoing participants?

Programs stemming from International Exchange Agreements require a significant commitment of staff time and resources. Be sure there is sufficient interest and support in your department to maintain the program into the future. Ensure that the infrastructure will allow the program to continue, even if faculty or staff changes.

The University of Louisville has a pre-approved template for the International Memorandums of Understanding.  Using the pre-approved template will expedite the review process.  You are welcome to deviate from the template, and you must red-line any changes.  Please allow a minimum of an additional 30 days for review.

MOUs must be endorsed by the Dean of your school/college and approved by the Executive Vice President and Provost before being signed by the institution abroad.