The Peace Corps Master’s International Program offers students the opportunity to attend Graduate School and complete a Master’s degree.

Master’s International programs are offered in areas where there are shortages of skilled people to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers. You will be assured that your Peace Corps assignment will make good use of your academic preparation. You will also have the confidence of knowing that your graduate studies bring you added respect and credibility in your country of service.

To be eligible for the Peace Corps, you must be a U.S. citizen, in good health, and at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit. Married couples without dependent children may be accepted, but both spouses must qualify for a Volunteer assignment.

As a Master’s International student, your academic background will qualify you for Peace Corps service; however, you can take other steps to enhance your success as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

These include:

• Studying a foreign language
• Getting involved in a community-based activity related to your academic work

To qualify for the program, students must meet the admission requirements of the University’s master’s degree program in entomology and the requirements established by the Peace Corps for Volunteer service. Applicants should normally submit simultaneous applications for the program to the university and to the Peace Corps six months prior to the beginning of the semester in which they hope to enroll.

Student participants will be expected to meet academic requirements of the non-thesis Master’s degree program in Entomology. Students will be required to develop a special project, part of which will be completed during the two years of Peace Corps Volunteer service, for which up to nine (9) credit hours can be earned. Each student’s specific program of study will be developed in consultation with the student’s graduate committee and designed to prepare them for Peace Corps Volunteer service and development activities generally.

Students will not receive the specific details regarding their Peace Corps assignments until 3-7 months prior to their Peace Corps entry date.

The following are the benefits of joining the Peace Corp program:

• Paid living and housing expenses
• Transportation to and from your assignment
• Language, technical, and cross-cultural training
• Medical and dental care
• Vacation time and allowance
• Readjustment allowance after 27 months of training and service
• Job-hunting assistance when you return to the U.S.
• Noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment upon the successful completion of service

To learn more about the Peace Corps, visit their website at www.peacecorps.gov

Contact Amanda Pendleton for additional information.