Carolyn Becker (international affairs) recently achieved Certified Professional in Education Abroad status through the Forum on Education Abroad.

The selective and rigorous program involves hours of intensive trainings and six online self-paced modules based on the nine Standards of Good Practice. The curriculum involves the successful completion of projects, papers, case studies, assessments, and a culminating project. Becker’s work was evaluated and critiqued by education abroad experts to ensure she demonstrated mastery of the material. 

“I decided to pursue the professional certification in education abroad to both expand my understanding of The Standards and utilize knowledge gained to establish best practices for education abroad at TWU,” Becker said. “The program has been both challenging and insightful, ultimately impacting the way in which I consider current practices along with how I interpret and implement new initiatives. Overall, the certification has helped me evolve into a much more discerning and effective practitioner.”

The Forum on Education Abroad is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization for the field of education abroad. The forum began offering the professional certification program about five years ago, and Becker is only the 72^nd person to complete this certification. She will be recognized on the forum’s website and may now display the forum’s “Certified Professional” mark on her curricula vitae, email signature, etc. Special recognition also is given at the forum’s annual and European conferences.