Peace Corps Prep

Teach lessons that last a lifetime. Education is the Peace Corp’s largest program area. Volunteers play an important role in creating links among schools, parents, and communities by working in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools as math, science, conversational English, and resource teachers or as early grade reading and literacy teacher trainers. Volunteers also develop libraries and technology resource centers.

If you choose Education, take 3 courses from one of the following areas:

• Elementary, Secondary or Special Education
• English or Linguistics
• Math
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• A Physical or Biological Science

Recommended courses:

• EDUC 333, 353, and 361
• MATH 1130 and 338
• CS 152 and 251
• BIOL 1130 and 2210
• CHEM 1217, 2120, 301, and 315
• PHYC 1230, 2210, and 330
• ENGL 1120, 2210, and 320

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Teaching in one of these or a similar form: in a classroom, with a community outreach organization, or in a formal tutoring capacity such as CAPS
  • The subject of the teaching may be English as a Foreign/Second Language, special education, drama, or a STEM subject

Serve on the front lines of global health. Health Volunteers work within their communities to promote important topics such as nutrition, maternal and child health, basic hygiene, and water sanitation. Volunteers also work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs to train youth as peer educators, develop appropriate education strategies, provide support to children orphaned by the pandemic, and create programs that provide emotional and financial support to families and communities affected by the disease.

If you choose Health, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Nursing
• Nutrition or Dietetics
• Health Education
• Pre-med
• Biology
• Public Health

Recommended courses:

• NMNC 1135, 303, 390, and 406
• BIOL 1140, 2210, 2225, and 450
• NUTR 2110, 344, 406, and 445
• PADM 562

 And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Volunteer or work experience in such areas as HIV/AIDS outreach, hospice, family planning counseling, emergency medical technician (EMT) or CPR teaching/certification, maternal health, and hands-on caregiving in a hospital, clinic, or lab technician setting
• Counseling or teaching in health subjects
• Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory, as a peer nutritionist, or as a sexually transmitted infections counselor
• Significant experience in mechanical repairs, construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hydrology, or set design

Help forge a global movement to protect our planet. Volunteers lead grassroots efforts in their communities to protect the environment and strengthen understanding of environmental issues. They teach environmental awareness in elementary and secondary schools and to youth groups and community organizations, empowering communities to make their own decisions about how to protect and conserve the local environment. Volunteers also address environmental degradation by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

If you choose Environment, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Environmental Science or Sustainability Studies
• Natural Resources Conservation
• Wildlife Biology
• Natural Resources or Wildlife Management
• Biology, Botany, or Ecology
• Geology

Recommended courses:

• EPS 300, 333, and 352
• BIOL 310, 379 and 386
• SUST 1134, 402, 434
• CJ 313

 And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns
• Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals
• Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping
• Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management

Lead grassroots efforts to fight hunger in a changing world. Agricultural Volunteers work with small-scale farmers and families to increase food security and production and adapt to climate change while promoting environmental conservation practices. They introduce farmers to techniques that prevent soil erosion, reduce the use of harmful pesticides, and replenish the soil. They work alongside farmers on integrated projects that often combine vegetable gardening, livestock management, agroforestry, and nutrition education.

If you choose Agriculture, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Botany
• Entomology
• Business or economics
• Biology

Recommended courses:

• BIOL 303, 304, 360, and 485
• ECON 2125, 343, and 442

                       And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Working with a large-scale or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, landscaping, livestock care and management, or fish cultivation and production
• Teaching or tutoring the public in environmental or agricultural issues/activities
• Working on the business management or marketing side of a commercial farm

Empower the next generation of changemakers. Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, sporting programs, and info technology.

If you choose Youth in Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Social Work
• Counseling
• Community Development
• Developmental Psychology
• Human Development
• Family Studies

Recommended courses:

• SOC 2310, 2340, 345, and 425
• PSY 2120, 2110, and 408 
• COUN 510, 513, and 560

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs
• Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business

Harness 21^st-century tools to help communities lift themselves. Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to strengthen infrastructure and encourage economic opportunities in communities. They frequently teach in classroom settings and work with entrepreneurs and business owners to develop and market their products. Some Volunteers also teach basic computer skills and help communities take advantage of technologies such as e-commerce, distance learning, and more.

If you choose Community Economic Dev., take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Business or Public Administration
• Nonprofit Management
• Accounting, Banking or Finance
• Computer Science and related majors
• Graphic Design
• Mass Communications
• International Business

Recommended courses:

• COMM 1150, 319, 413, and 463
• PADM 524 and 538
• MKTG 2110, 302, 328, 420
• ARTS 445
• CS 444

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, microfinance, management, project management, budgeting, or marketing
• Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity
• Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair
• Website design or online marketing
• Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization