Media Training

The George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center of the Department of State is the federal government's primary training facility for personnel of the foreign affairs community. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is the Department bureau that provides training for employees of the Department of State and other agencies at the Shultz Center. The Public Diplomacy Training Division (FSI/SPAS/PD) provides training to Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and Specialists, civil service employees and Locally Employed (LE) Staff. Many of our courses are open to all three audiences. Our core tradecraft courses are directed primarily at FSOs and FS Specialists and prepare employees to serve overseas as Public Affairs Officers, Cultural Affairs Officers and Information Officers. Officers learn how to apply public diplomacy resources to advance foreign policy objectives. Offerings include courses on media relations, social media, professional and academic exchange programs, VIP visits, responses to crisis situations, strategic planning, and the administration of grants and other public diplomacy funds.