Core Education Program

As the profession of international education matures, NAFSA has defined key areas of skill and knowledge in its Statement of Professional Competencies for International Educators. Toward that end NAFSA has sought through its strategic planning efforts to develop a more coherent and coordinated system of training and recognition to help members achieve these competencies. This effort has resulted in the association's Core Education Program.

Program Components

Foundations of International Education Workshops
Foundations workshops provide an introduction to the major professions in international education that are represented within NAFSA. Each workshop is organized around 12 hours of training and uses a core curriculum and materials so that key content areas are covered consistently no matter where the workshops are held.


Professional Practice Workshops
Professional Practice workshops are a continuation of the Foundations workshops. These four-to twelve-hour workshops are for those who wish to improve upon their skills or acquire knowledge in a more specialized area, or to enter the field in a specific area.


Summer Institute
Train with top professionals and network with colleagues to develop key skills, expand your knowledge base, and acquire hands-on experience.


Trainer Corps
The NAFSA member volunteers who make up the Trainer Corps serve as trainers, table moderators, and/or lead trainers for Core Education Program workshops at the national, regional, and local levels.


On-Demand Workshops
Coordinating training for staff is always a challenge. With NAFSA On-Demand Workshops, you can provide Foundation and Professional Practice workshops right in your area—when you need it—anywhere in the United States.