Professors: Hurley (Environment sector advisor); Associate Professors: Evans (Coordinator), Finney (Agriculture sector advisor), van de Ruit (Health sector advisor); Assistant Professor Mulryan (Education sector advisor); Director of Entrepreneurship Cumpstone (Community Economic Development).

The Peace Corps Preparatory Program prepares civic-minded students for international service with the Peace Corps or work in international development more generally. Students enrolled in this program are expected to complete coursework and engage in applied learning and leadership community service opportunities that reflect the Peace Corps’ focus on international development, practical experience related to its project areas, and foreign language study. Students who successfully meet the specific requirements established by their institution are more competitive Peace Corps applicants and receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps.

To complete the Peace Corps Prep Program, students will satisfy the following requirements in consultation with the program coordinator and relevant sector advisor. These requirements include One must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours of appropriate coursework along with at least 50 hours of practical experience related to their chosen sector.

• Successfully complete 8 credit hours of foreign language study at the 200-level (Spanish and French are particularly encouraged).
• Complete 12 credit hours in courses that deepen intercultural competence by enabling students to learn about others while reflecting upon their own selves in relation to others. These courses must include at least one “GN” course, one “DN” course, and one from the following list of cross-cultural courses: ANTH-100; ECON-120, 263; ENVS-100, GWMS/SOC-263; MCS- 350; POL-344, 354, 356; PSJ-200. Other courses may fulfill this requirement based on approval of the Peace Corps Prep Coordinator.  
• 12 hours of credit in sector-specific courses. Other courses may count toward this requirement with the approval of the relevant sector advisor.
  
  For the agriculture and environmental studies track: BIO/ENVS-320, 360, 415W; ENVS-100; ENVS/GEOS-102Q; ENVS/SOC-220; ENVS-242; ENV/SOC-285; ENVS-332, 338, 340, 370, 372, 428W, 454W
  
  For the business, entrepreneurship and development economics track: ACCT-140, 240, 241, ECON-120, 263, MGT-200; POL-399.
  
  For the global health track: BIO-449W, 459W; HS-202, 232W, 333, 334, 352Q, 447; POL-354; PSYC/GWSS/IDS-214; SPAN-308.
  
  For the education track: EDUC-100, 265, 350.
  
  For the youth in development track: EDUC-265; PSYC-240, 340, 342, 350, 352; PSYC/NEUR-440W; PSYC-450W, PSYC-462W, PSYC-472.

• At least 50 hours of relevant practical experience related to the chosen sector track. This could include a summer, semester, or year-long study abroad program including an approved service activity; tutoring or teaching, for example in an urban education program; volunteer service; a management or accounting internship; agricultural or environmental work; experience in agriculture; health care or health education. All service activities should include a teaching or outreach component and must receive prior approval of the Peace Corps Prep coordinator.
  
  
• The Peace Corps Prep certificate also requires evidence of professional and leadership development:
  
  
  • Professional resume feedback, available through the Office of Career and Post-Graduate Development.
  • Professional interview practice, also available through the Office of Career and Post-Graduate Development or with the college’s regional Peace Corps recruiter.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience, eg. in a student organization, at work, through volunteer service, etc.