The CCSA fosters international understanding and enhances the education of students through reasonably priced, short-term, for-credit courses - both within the United States and in other English-speaking regions. CCSA is headquartered at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Faculty-led Program

Faculty-led programs are credit-bearing study abroad experiences that are developed and led by KSU faculty and/or staff members. These programs are managed by KSU and are most often short-term summer programs, usually lasting between 2-6 weeks.

Individual Program

Individual Programs are also called Independent Study Abroad Programs. These programs are those in which the students enroll directly through a university or program that is not KSU-sponsored for the student study abroad term. The university or the accredited institution offering this program issues the transcript. Participating students must consult with their academic advisor and the Registrar for transferring credits. The academic advisor will help student understand how the courses taken abroad will be transferred to their KSU transcript and how they will count towards their plan of study. Transcripts of foreign courses may be evaluated by an authorized education service agency or through a course or program's articulation agreement between KSU and international partner institutions. All study abroad transcripts should be submitted to the Office of International Affairs directly from the host institution or program provider.

Kentucky Institute for International Students (KIIS)

The Kentucky Institute for International Students is a faculty-led study abroad consortium of colleges and universities in Kentucky and surrounding states. KIIS is dedicated to providing personalized, academically enriching, and affordable international education programs for college credit. KIIS believes study abroad should be an integral part of any degree program, regardless of academic discipline, and should prepare students to become globally competent upon graduation.

Kentucky State University is a longstanding member institution of KIIS. Dr. Eric Yang serves on KIIS and serves as KSU's campus representative for the institute.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) serves as the KIIS Sponsoring Institution, which, for the purposes described herein, means:

• All KIIS faculty are credentialed with WKU's Department of Academic Affairs;
• All KIIS course credit is issued by WKU and automatically transfers to each member institution following completion of a KIIS program (each member institution determines what those KIIS courses will count toward for their participating students—e.g., transfer equivalencies in the major core, major elective, general education, etc.);
• KSU follows WKU's accounting practices; and
• WKU does not charge students tuition for participating in KIIS study abroad programs.

Pre-Departure Orientation

Pre-Departure Orientation is a critical component of any study abroad program that helps ensure students stay safe and healthy when abroad. The orientation covers important health, safety, and cultural adjustment issues, as well as practical information such as enrollment and credits. The orientation also serves to orient students to the culture of the host country and counsel them on a range of social, academic, and other practical issues.