IES Abroad MAP Series

In 1999, IES Abroad assembled outstanding leaders in both international and U.S. higher education to address the growing need for more effective program development and assessment in international education. The result of their research and analysis was the IES Abroad Model Assessment Practice for Study Abroad Programs (IES Abroad MAP), the first evaluation tool of its kind.

Today, these guidelines and assessment methods represent best practices in the field of education abroad and now serve as the benchmark for national standards. Based upon our experience sending nearly 6,000 students abroad annually, as well as our work with colleges and universities, we identified additional areas that would benefit from a similar examination and standardization. The resulting guidelines establish standards in language learning, as well as student health and safety.

The complete IES Abroad MAP series is intended to be shared with college and university administrators in international education, faculty, and governing committees that make decisions regarding education abroad for their students.

• The IES Abroad MAP for Study Abroad Programs (2011, 5th edition)
  An educational tool for designing and evaluating study abroad programs.
• The IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication (2011, 1st edition)
  Guidelines that offer practical strategies for language learning and assessing language learning programs.
• IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management (2013, 1st edition)
  Guidelines for addressing student safety and risk management in the administration of study abroad programs.

We encourage the practical application of these guidelines to serve the best interest of all students embarking on the life-changing experience of international education.