Student participation in short-term programs abroad (both credit and noncredit) has grown exponentially in recent years and now represents the primary international experience for a significant percentage of U.S. college and university students. Recognizing this, the Forum Standards Committee saw a need for a more specific set of standards that apply to short-term programs. The Standards for Short-Term Education Abroad Programs were formed by keeping the framework of the nine Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad and extracting those elements from them that apply most directly to short-term education abroad programs. These elements were then reworked and enhanced to address the specific qualities and characteristics of short-term programs. The Standards for Short-Term Programs are intended to be utilized together as companions to provide the most comprehensive guidance for short-term program management. Well-designed short-term programs can have a profound impact on participants and may provide students with an initial experience that encourages them to consider future study or work overseas. These short-term program standards are designed to encourage discussion between education abroad professionals and others on campus and within organizations about program planning and management. Like the Standards of Good Practice, they provide a means to assess and improve programs by ensuring that they include those essential elements that will maximize students' learning and personal development while assuring their safety and well-being.