A global immersion degree program that will launch at Butler University in 2027 will enable students to study on six continents while earning a bachelor’s degree in just three years. Known as Butler Overseas, the inaugural cohort will include 30-40 first-year students, with the goal of preparing leaders for an increasingly interconnected world and equipping the next generation of leaders to address climate change and other sustainability issues.
The program is the first of its kind in the U.S. to be offered to undergraduates by an accredited university.
“Butler Overseas provides a transformative opportunity for students seeking a global college experience that opens doors to the world,” Butler University President James Danko said. “As global challenges continue to grow, we need well-educated, culturally fluent leaders who can collaborate across borders to create meaningful solutions. Butler Overseas is designed for highly motivated students who want to make a lasting impact.”
The program will offer two distinct academic pathways: a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a minor in International Business or a Bachelor of Science in International Business with a minor in Environmental Studies. Students are not required to declare their major until the end of the first year. Over the course of six semesters abroad and three summers at Butler’s Indianapolis campus, students will engage in a rigorous, experiential curriculum designed to explore global challenges from both international and U.S. perspectives.
Students will begin their studies with a two-month summer session at Butler before embarking on a six-semester international journey that includes:
- Fall Semester 1: London, England
- Spring Semester 1: Rome, Italy
- Summer Session 2: Butler University, Indianapolis
- Summer Session 2: South Africa
- Fall Semester 2: Sydney, Australia
- Spring Semester 2: Merida, Mexico
- Summer Session 3: Butler University, Indianapolis
- Fall Semester 3: Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Spring Semester 3: Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Commencement: Butler University, Indianapolis
Throughout their global experience, students will receive hybrid instruction, including onsite from The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) and remotely from Butler faculty. IFSA, a leader in education-abroad, serves thousands of students annually with nearly 200 rigorous programs that emphasize cultural understanding through experiential learning designed to help students develop new perspectives that create lifelong impact. Butler Overseas’ place-based learning model leverages the unique cultural and environmental contexts of each location, providing unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities.
“This partnership creates an exciting new opportunity to expand our commitment to helping each student advance toward their academic, professional, and personal goals with impactful global experiences,” Heather Barclay Hamir, Ph.D., IFSA President and CEO, said.
The new offering builds upon Butler’s national reputation for global education experiences. The University climbed 13 spots to No. 24 in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings for study abroad, with more than 300 programs across 50+ countries. Nearly 40 percent of Butler students study abroad before graduation, and Butler ranks second in the nation for faculty-led study abroad participation.
“Students who study abroad develop greater independence, resilience, and cultural awareness,” said Jill McKinney, Butler University’s Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of Global Engagement. “Butler Overseas builds upon the framework of a typical study abroad program to offer a full degree program that goes beyond traditional classroom learning, immersing students in transformative, real-world experiences for three full years. These experiences foster critical thinking, adaptability, and confidence— qualities that set them apart in their careers and personal lives. Through this program, students will witness the interconnectedness of humanity as well as the enormity of the world’s most pressing needs, preparing them with distinctive resumes to be future leaders in tackling persistent global issues with a broader, more informed perspective.”
The program is expected to attract applicants from across the U.S. and around the world, particularly students passionate about environmental sustainability, global business, and cross-cultural engagement.
For more information, visit butler.edu/overseas.