Ethics and Standards

Since its inception in 1948, NAFSA has been engaged in setting standards and encouraging ethical conduct among individuals, institutions, and organizations active in the field of international educational exchange. The association establishes and upholds standards of good practice in international education to help guide international educators in providing high quality education and services to participants in international educational exchange. These standards are manifested in NAFSA's Ethics Program, the Principles for International Educational Exchange and NAFSA policy statements. 

NAFSA's Ethics Program 

NAFSA's Ethics Program consists of: the NAFSA Code of Ethics (PDF document), which sets standards for the professional preparation and conduct of all NAFSA members; the Procedures for Handling Ethics-Related Complaints (Revised, May 2001); the Principles for International Educational Exchange and case studies. 

Principles of International Educational Exchange 

Based on the consensus and common experience of those who deal with international educational affairs in community organizations and at institutions of higher education in the United States and abroad, the Principles for International Educational Exchange are comprised of several individual sets of principles. 

• Principles for Institutions  Revised, May 2001                                          
• Principles for the Admission of International Students (ADSEC)  Revised, January 2002                                           
• Principles for English Programs and Determination of English Proficiency (ATESL)  Revised, May 2001                                         
• Principles for International Student and Scholar Services (CAFSS)  Revised, May 2001                                          
• Principles for the Provision of Community Services and Programs (COMSEC)  Revised, May 2001                                         
• Principles for U.S. Study Abroad (SECUSSA)  Revised, May 2001                                           
• Principles for Sponsored Programming Agencies (SPA)  Revised, May 2001                                           
• Principles of Ethical Practice in Overseas Educational Advising (OSEAS)  Revised, May 2001

NAFSA Policy Statements 

In addition to the NAFSA Code of Ethics and the Principles of International Educational Exchange, NAFSA has set forth additional standards in international education in the form of policy statements. 

• NAFSA's Policy Statement on International Educational Exchange                                            
• NAFSA's Statement of Professional Competencies                                                                             
• Statement on AIDS and International Education Issues

Other Ethics Resources

• Ethics related session outline NEW!
  
  This outline is designed to assist individuals organize and deliver conference sessions on ethics and international education.