¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ PEACE CORPS PREP PROGRAM
Peace Corps Prep Program Launches at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ!
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is excited to launch the Peace Corps Prep Program, resulting from the longstanding relationship between ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ and the U.S. Peace Corps. Through Peace Corps Prep, undergraduate students will be positioned as strong candidates for Peace Corps service upon graduation from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ.
The goal of the TU Peace Corps Prep program is to prepare undergraduate students for international development work and global citizenship through coursework and experiential learning. Students complete a curriculum that includes language and international development courses and at least one experiential learning opportunity referred to as an enhancement, such as (but not limited to) service-learning, civic engagement, study abroad, and internship in an international development area. Students who successfully complete the program receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps. While they are not guaranteed acceptance into the Peace Corps, the students will be strong candidates for service.
TU PEACE CORPS PREP
Program Description
The TU Peace Corps Prep program prepares undergraduate students for international development work and global citizenship through coursework and experiential learning. Usually students are able to complete the requisite curriculum and experiential learning components within two years or less, much of which is a part existing curricula in the majority of the degree programs offered at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. After successfully completing the program, students receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps. While they are not guaranteed acceptance into the Peace Corps, the students will be strong candidates for service.
Students may use the student guide to navigate the requirements of the program and understand the coursework and experiential learning requirements. Due to the ever evolving nature of the courses offered by TU, no list can be 100% complete. Students should feel free to check with Peace Corps Prep staff to see if a class they would like to take would qualify.
Students interested in this program should complete the application and submit it to the program staff who may be contacted to learn more about the application deadline.
TU Peace Corps Prep Release Form
The ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Peace Corps Preparatory (PC Prep) program will endeavor to promote the program, in part by highlighting the accomplishments of program’s participants with the consent of said participants, which this release serves.
THE U.S. PEACE CORPS
Through the Peace Corps, since 1961, individuals have been making a difference around the world for decades. Addressing new and exciting challenges, Peace Corps Volunteers apply hands-on and grassroots-driven methods to effect lasting change. As a service organization, Peace Corps provides an opportunity for motivated individuals to immerse themselves abroad and work side by side with local leaders to tackle challenges. Learn more about becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer at .
The Peace Corps Mission
- To promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Peace Corps and ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ
Since its inception, numerous graduates, faculty and staff from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ have served as Peace Corps volunteers and in numerous other roles with the organization.
MORE PEACE CORPS OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to serving in the Peace Corps, TU students are encouraged to also take advantage of programs, such as the Peace Corps Campus Ambassador Program, which allows university students who work closely with Peace Corps recruiters to raise the Peace Corps’ profile on campus and introduce the Peace Corps to new and diverse student groups. Learn more about the Peace Corps Campus Ambassador Program at .
MEET THE RECRUITER
The Peace Corps Prep program is coordinated by the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Global Office under the direction of Dr. Rhonda Collier. Dr. Collier holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Vanderbilt University (2002). Additionally, she has a B.S. and M.S. in industrial (‘91) and health systems engineering (‘93) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Georgia Tech, respectively. Before taking on a career in academia, Dr. Collier worked in industry with organizations, such as General Electric and Cigna Healthcare. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese with reading knowledge of French and Italian. She is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar, who studied at the Universidade de São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil. She previously served as director of the Abilene Christian University’s Latin American Study Abroad Program in Montevideo, Uruguay. She is published in the areas of Cuban literature, Brazilian literature, global hip-hop, and public theology, and collaborates with the Vanderbilt University Center for Latin American Studies.
Dr. Rhonda Collier.
FAQS
What is Peace Corps Prep?
Peace Corps Prep is offered to undergraduate students interested in serving with the Peace Corps or within the international development and service communities. The program launched in 2017 and is currently offered at 40+ colleges and universities nationwide.
Who is eligible to apply?
TU undergraduate students in good academic standing are eligible to apply prior to or by the start of their junior year, including second-semester Freshmen, in order to allow for two full years of program participation. Unfortunately graduating seniors are not eligible to apply, as there is not be enough time to complete the Peace Corps Prep requirements in time for graduation.
When can I apply?
Interested students should contact the Peace Corps Prep Program staff for application deadlines.
Is my application to Peace Corps Prep the same as an application to the Peace Corps itself?
No, students who successfully complete the Peace Corps Prep program at TU receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps. While they are not guaranteed acceptance into the Peace Corps, the students will be strong candidates for service. An official application will still be required to join the actual Peace Corps.
Can any major apply?
We accept students from all majors and disciplines; however, all program participants are required to adhere to the TU PC Prep guidelines.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply to Peace Corps Prep?
PC Prep participants are welcome from all nationalities and backgrounds, as this greatly contributes to our goal of educating global citizens. Please be aware that you must be a U.S. citizen to join the Peace Corps, but many other organizations exist that accept all nationalities.
I have a medical condition that I think will disqualify me from Peace Corps service. Can I or should I still apply for Peace Corps Prep.
Absolutely! Medical conditions do not disqualify anyone from the Peace Corps Prep program, but do note that for a future application to the Peace Corps, some medical conditions will limit your potential country of service, but ultimately this decision will be made Peace Corps medical. Here are two useful websites describing how the Peace Corps approaches medical conditions.
What does the program involve?
Peace Corps Prep is made up of two parts, an orientation and a capstone, to be completed during different semesters.
Throughout the program students take part in a number of informational sessions, meet with Peace Corps Prep staff and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer as well as attend a Peace Corps recruitment event and an international event on campus. The Peace Corps Prep staff will confer with students and their academic advisors to make sure that the courses they take as a part of their undergraduate curriculum also satisfy the Peace Corps Prep requirements.
PC Prep participants will have a chance to connect with each other, discuss key ideas and questions related to international service and development, interact with diverse guest
presenters, and receive mentoring and assistance with their applications to the Peace Corps or other post-graduate plans. Students will be encouraged to create an e-Portfolio or other online portfolio that highlights their strengths and individual experiences with the program.
Do I have to complete all the course or service requirements while I am enrolled in the program or can I carry them in from my previous higher education experience?
If you’ve completed classes which match our course requirements before you enroll in the program, they will still count towards the Peace Corps Prep requirements. The same goes for your service and leadership requirements.
Do general education classes count towards the Peace Corps Prep course requirements?
Yes, as long as they have an international or service or development focus. For instance, Economics 101 would not count, but International Economics 102 would. Likewise U.S. History would not count, but World History would. If in doubt you can ask your Peace Corps Prep coordinator.
Is a study abroad trip required for Peace Corps Prep?
No, we accept many forms of service/international education to meet the enhancement activity requirement for Peace Corps Prep.
I have a question that was unanswered on this site. How can I contact the program staff?
Please feel free to email us with any questions at rcollier@tuskegee.edu.