Domestic Field Study

Students stand of a dock on Sapelo Island.

University of Georgia Domestic Field Study programs provide students with site-specific learning opportunities within the United States. Some Field Study programs include tours of museums, archaeological digs, geological sites, and other experiences where the site constitutes an important resource for instruction. 

For the past five years, the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) has worked with Program Directors of existing programs to complete the Program Planning Process for Domestic Field Study programs. However, a recent support unit review indicated that Domestic Field Study programs did not fit well with the mission of OGE and should be moved elsewhere. In response to this recommendation, final authority for Domestic Field Study programs has moved to the Office of Instruction, with immediate effect. This responsibility now falls under the direction of Associate Vice President of Instruction William Vencill.

The field study course approval process will remain within the Office of Curriculum Systems, which ensures that programs meet all regulatory requirements. The submission of new programs and program renewal information (program rationale, director information, destination details, financial information, and budget planning) will continue to be managed through the Terra Dotta software portal and will be reviewed by staff in the Office of Instruction. All programs will also need to be approved by the Department Head and Dean. By the end of the fall 2021 semester, additional details about the Field Study programs and the links to apply for program approval/renewal will be available on the Office of Instruction website.

The overall process will not change, as faculty and staff who run Domestic Field Study programs must engage in the annual program planning process. This process ensures that the necessary academic, curricular, and financial information for each program is communicated across campus. The Office of Instruction will form a Domestic Field Study advisory group that will provide additional insights and suggestions that can help improve the process over time.

For questions about Domestic Field Study, please contact Associate Vice President for Instruction William Vencill at ovpi@uga.edu.