Top 11 Study Abroad Advisor Certifications

Certifications for study abroad advisors are important in the job market because they signify that an individual has the necessary knowledge, experience and qualifications to provide quality advice and assistance to students who want to study abroad. A certification demonstrates that the advisor is up-to-date on issues related to international education, including visa requirements, cultural adjustment, health and safety concerns, academic policies and procedures, financial aid options and more. It also shows potential employers that the advisor is committed to staying abreast of developments in international education. By earning certifications from respected organizations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators or The Forum on Education Abroad, an individual can demonstrate their commitment to providing quality service for students studying abroad.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Study Abroad Advisors and explain how they can enhance a study abroad advisor's career.

What are Study Abroad Advisor Certifications?

Study abroad advisor certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in providing guidance and assistance to students who are planning to study abroad. The certification is offered by organizations such as the Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and World Education Services.

The certification process involves completing a training program, passing an exam, and meeting certain requirements in terms of experience or education. The training program covers topics such as understanding international student needs, advising students on visa applications, cultural orientation, health insurance issues, and more. Those who complete the program and pass the exam receive a certificate of completion.

Having study abroad advisor certification can help individuals stand out when applying for jobs in the field of international education. It also serves as evidence that an individual has expertise in areas related to studying abroad that may not be covered through traditional job qualifications. Additionally, it provides a way for employers to evaluate potential candidates and ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality advising services to their students. Finally, having study abroad advisor certification can give individuals access to a network of professionals with similar interests and backgrounds who can offer advice and support throughout their career journey.

Pro Tip: When selecting a study abroad advisor, make sure they have a valid certification from an accredited institution. This will ensure that the advisor is knowledgeable in their field and has the experience to provide you with accurate information about studying abroad.

Related: What does a Study Abroad Advisor do?

Top 11 Study Abroad Advisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Study Abroad Advisors today.

1. Certified International Education Professional (CIEP)

Certified International Education Professional (CIEP) is a professional certification program offered by the Forum on Education Abroad. It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to international education and have achieved a level of expertise in the field.

The CIEP certification program takes approximately six months to complete, depending on individual progress. The program consists of four online modules that cover topics such as international student recruitment, cultural adjustment, health and safety, and risk management. After completing the modules, applicants must pass an online assessment before they can be certified.

To get the CIEP certification, applicants must first register for the program and pay a fee of $500 USD. This fee covers access to all four modules and the online assessment. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from colleagues or supervisors in the field of international education. Once accepted into the program, applicants will need to complete all four modules within six months in order to receive their certificate.

Overall, becoming a Certified International Education Professional requires dedication and commitment but can open up new opportunities for career growth in international education.

2. Certified Education Abroad Professional (CEAP)

Certified Education Abroad Professional (CEAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of international education and exchange. The CEAP certification is administered by the Forum on Education Abroad, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality standards in education abroad programs.

The CEAP certification requires a minimum of two years of experience working in the field of international education and exchange, as well as successful completion of a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as intercultural learning theory, ethics and risk management, program design and assessment, and global citizenship.

To become certified, applicants must submit an application form along with their resume or CV demonstrating two years of relevant experience in international education and exchange. Once approved, applicants must register for the exam and pay the associated fee (currently $350). After passing the exam, applicants are awarded their CEAP certificate.

The cost for the CEAP certification is $350 plus any applicable taxes. This fee includes access to study materials for preparing for the exam as well as registration for the exam itself.

3. Certified Global Education Advisor (CGEA)

Certified Global Education Advisor (CGEA) is a professional certification program designed to equip education advisors with the knowledge and skills needed to provide comprehensive advice and guidance to students interested in international study. The CGEA certification is offered by the International Education Advisory Council (IEAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting global education opportunities.

The CGEA certification requires completion of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as international student recruitment, visa regulations, cultural adjustment, academic advising, and more. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass a written exam in order to receive the CGEA designation.

To get certified as a CGEA, you must first register for the online course on the IEAC website. The cost of registration is $299 USD. After completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive your official CGEA certificate from IEAC.

4. International Student Adviser Certification (ISAC)

International Student Adviser Certification (ISAC) is a certification program designed to recognize the professional achievements of international student advisers. This certification is offered by the National Association for International Education Professionals (NAFSA).

To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in advising international students, and they must pass an exam that covers topics such as immigration regulations, cultural issues, and other relevant topics. The exam is administered twice a year and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether or not you are a NAFSA member. Non-members pay $450 for the application fee and $250 for the exam fee. Members pay $350 for the application fee and $150 for the exam fee.

Once certified, advisers must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education activities and paying a renewal fee of $100.

5. Certified International Student Adviser (CISA)

Certified International Student Adviser (CISA) is a professional certification program designed to help international student advisers gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve their students. This certification is offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

The CISA program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person workshop. The online course takes approximately 6-8 hours and covers topics such as immigration law, visa regulations, cultural adjustment, academic advising, financial aid and more. The in-person workshop is a full day of interactive sessions that allow participants to apply what they have learned from the online course in real-world scenarios.

To become certified, one must complete both the online course and the in-person workshop. The cost for the entire program is $400 USD. Once completed, one will receive a certificate of completion from NACAC and will be listed on their website as a Certified International Student Adviser.

6. International Education Professional Certificate Program (IEPP)

The International Education Professional Certificate Program (IEPP) is a comprehensive program designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in an international education setting. The program consists of four online modules that cover topics such as international education policy, cross-cultural communication, and international education assessment. Each module includes readings, activities, and assessments that help participants gain a deeper understanding of the material.

The IEPP takes approximately 6 months to complete, depending on how quickly you are able to work through the modules. To get started, you must first register for the program by submitting an application form and paying the registration fee. Once accepted into the program, you will have access to all four modules which can be completed at your own pace.

The cost of the IEPP is $1,500 US dollars. This fee covers all four modules as well as access to online resources and support from instructors throughout the duration of the program.

7. International Student Exchange and Study Abroad Advisor Certification (ISEAAAC)

The International Student Exchange and Study Abroad Advisor Certification (ISEAAAC) is a professional certification program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to advise students on international exchange and study abroad opportunities. It is offered by the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA).

The ISEAAAC program consists of three modules which are completed online over a period of several weeks. The modules cover topics such as advising on student visas, cultural adjustment, academic advising, and risk management. Upon successful completion of the modules, participants will receive their certification.

To get certified, participants must pay a fee that covers the cost of the course materials, access to online resources, and assessment fees. The fee for the ISEAAAC program varies depending on whether you are an IEAA member or not. For non-members, it costs approximately $700 AUD; for members it costs approximately $400 AUD.

The duration of the program depends on how quickly you complete each module. On average it takes around 10-12 weeks to complete all three modules and receive your certification.

8. Study Abroad Advisor Certification Program (SAACP)

The Study Abroad Advisor Certification Program (SAACP) is an online certification program designed to equip study abroad advisors with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality advising services to students interested in studying abroad. The program is offered by the Forum on Education Abroad, a professional association dedicated to promoting best practices in education abroad.

The SAACP consists of six modules that cover topics such as risk management, cultural competency, and ethical considerations. Each module includes interactive activities, case studies, and quizzes. Participants must complete all six modules in order to receive their certification.

The program typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the participant's previous knowledge and experience. The cost for the program is $125 USD for non-members and $95 USD for members of the Forum on Education Abroad.

To get certified through SAACP, participants must first register for the program on the Forum on Education Abroad website. Once registered, participants will be given access to all six modules which can be completed at their own pace. After completing all six modules, participants must submit a final project demonstrating their understanding of the material covered in each module. Upon completion of this project and successful submission of all required materials, participants will receive their SAACP certificate via email within two weeks.

9. Association of International Educators Certified Professional (AIECP)

The Association of International Educators Certified Professional (AIECP) is a professional certification program for international educators. It is designed to recognize the highest level of professional achievement in the field of international education. This certification demonstrates to employers and colleagues that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in the field and is committed to continuing their professional development.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the AIECP certification process, depending on an individual's experience and background. To become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and work requirements, pass a written exam, and submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge and experience in the field.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the candidate’s current membership status with AIE. For non-members, there is an application fee of $100 plus a $250 exam fee; for members, there is only an exam fee of $250. Additionally, all candidates must pay for any additional materials or services needed to complete their portfolio submission.

10. National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Global Education Professionals Certificate Program (GECP)

The Global Education Professionals Certificate Program (GECP) is an online program offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The program is designed to provide college admission counselors and other professionals in the field of international education with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advise students on their options for studying abroad.

The GECP consists of four online courses that cover topics such as international student recruitment, financial aid and scholarships, visa regulations, and cultural adjustment. Each course includes interactive activities, videos, case studies, and assessments. The program takes approximately six months to complete.

To get the GECP, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in college admission counseling or international education. They must also complete a short application form and pay a fee of $350 USD. Upon successful completion of all four courses, participants will receive a certificate from NACAC recognizing their achievement.

11. Council on Standards for International Educational Travel’s Certified Educational Travel Professional Program (CETPP).

The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel’s Certified Educational Travel Professional Program (CETPP) is a certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of educational travel. The program is open to individuals who have a minimum of two years’ experience in the educational travel industry, or those who have completed a recognized training course in educational travel.

To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as international education, cultural awareness, risk management, and customer service. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete. After passing the exam, applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their professional work which will be reviewed by members of the CETPP committee.

The cost of the CETPP certification is $250 USD and includes access to the online exam and portfolio review process. Upon successful completion of both components, applicants will receive their certificate from CSITE and will be listed on their website as a Certified Educational Travel Professional.

Do You Really Need a Study Abroad Advisor Certificate?

The short answer to this question is that it depends. A study abroad advisor certificate can be a great asset for those who are considering studying abroad and want to make sure they are making the most informed decision possible.

However, there are some cases in which an individual may not need a study abroad advisor certificate. For instance, if someone has already done extensive research on their desired destination and is confident they can make an informed decision without help from an expert, then a certificate may be unnecessary. It also may not be necessary if someone has already gone through the process of studying abroad and has experience with the process.

In most cases, however, having a study abroad advisor certificate can be incredibly helpful when considering where to study abroad. An experienced advisor can provide invaluable information and guidance about different countries, cultures, educational systems, visa requirements, and more. They can also help prospective student evaluate their options and make decisions based on their individual needs and goals. Ultimately, having an advisor who is certified in helping students plan for their study abroad experience can simplify the entire process and ensure that the student makes the best decision possible.

Related: Study Abroad Advisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Study Abroad Advisor Certifications

1. What are the benefits of having a Study Abroad Advisor Certification?

Answer: Having a Study Abroad Advisor Certification provides you with an internationally recognized credential that will demonstrate your expertise in advising students on study abroad opportunities. It also provides employers with assurance that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide accurate, comprehensive advice and assistance to those interested in studying abroad.

2. How do I become certified as a Study Abroad Advisor?

Answer: To become certified as a Study Abroad Advisor, you must complete an accredited program such as the International Education Institute's Certified Study Abroad Professional Program or the Association for International Education Advisors' Certified International Education Adviser Program. Both programs provide comprehensive training on advising students on study abroad options, including topics such as cultural adjustment, academic requirements, visa requirements, and more.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The length of time required to complete one of these programs varies depending on the individual's circumstances; however, most people can earn their certification within two years or less if they are able to dedicate themselves full-time to their studies.

4. What is the cost associated with becoming certified?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which program you choose; however, both programs generally range from $2,000-$3,000 USD for tuition and related expenses such as textbooks and supplies.

5. Are there any other certifications available for advisors interested in studying abroad?

Answer: Yes! There are a number of additional certifications available for advisors interested in studying abroad including the Global Education Professional Certificate (GEPC) from NAFSA and the Certified International Student Mobility Specialist (CISMS) from AIRC. Each of these programs provides specialized training on advising international students regarding study abroad opportunities.