Global Learning

What is the Peace Corps Prep program? 

PC Prep is a certificate program available to undergraduate students interested in serving as Peace Corps Volunteers or elsewhere within the international development and service communities. The program began in 2007 and is currently offered at over 140 colleges and universities nationwide. MSU’s program launched in Fall 2021.

Is Peace Corps Prep only for students who want to apply to the Peace Corps after college?

No. Anyone with an interest in international development who wants to give themselves a competitive edge in the marketplace would benefit from participating. The program will assist in building leadership skills and intercultural competencies.

Conversely, do I have to do Peace Corps Prep to apply to the Peace Corps?

No. PC Prep will help you prepare to be a Peace Corps Volunteer and will help your application be more competitive but is not a requirement for the Peace Corps. Students planning to apply to the Peace Corps can work with the MSU Peace Corps Recruiting Office separate from the PC Prep program, or can apply independently with no MSU affiliation at all.

Will completing the Peace Corps Prep program guarantee me a spot in the Peace Corps?

No. Completing the Peace Corps Prep program does not guarantee acceptance as a Peace Corps Volunteer. However, students in the program will gain skills that are an advantage in the competitive Peace Corps application process and in other international development work.

I’ve heard about the Peace Corps, but what exactly is it?

Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the US government, in which US citizens work in developing countries for a period of two years. The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained personnel;
2. to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and
3. to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Over 241,000 Americans have served in more than 140 countries since the Peace Corps was founded.

Is the Peace Corps that competitive? Do I really need to participate in the Peace Corps Prep program?

Yes, the Peace Corps is getting increasingly competitive. Although the PC Prep program is not a requirement for the Peace Corps, it does make you more marketable and visible to the selection committee. Providing the exit checklist for the placement officer will provide well-organized information and set you up for success. There is also a question on the application that asks if you have completed the PC Prep program.

How can serving in the Peace Corps benefit me?

You can find information on the benefits of Peace Corps service on the Peace Corps website.

Who is eligible to participate?

MSU undergraduate students in good academic standing may apply. Interested students should apply as early in their undergraduate career as possible, as the program requirements can take several semesters.

Can students from any major/College participate in the Peace Corps Prep program?

Yes. Students from any major or discipline can be successful in completing this program. You will want to explore the different sectors and align your course work and community engagement work appropriately.

Do I have to be a US citizen to apply to the Peace Corps Prep program?

No. Students from all nationalities and backgrounds are welcome. While only US citizens are eligible to participate in the Peace Corps, the PC Prep certificate program will prepare you for other international development and service-oriented careers.

When in my undergraduate career is it best for me to join the PC Prep program?

You can join any time; many students apply as sophomores. First-year students who join have a head start, but juniors and even seniors can join and successfully earn the certificate. You may be able to use experience/courses that you have already completed. Please connect with the Program Coordinator as soon as possible. It will be important to develop a program plan to ensure timely completion before graduation. The certificate cannot be granted after graduation.

Do I have to complete all the requirements starting when I am enrolled in the Peace Corps Prep program, or can I count classes and experiences from my prior years at MSU?

If you’ve completed classes at MSU which fulfill competency requirements before you enroll in the program, they can still count toward the PC Prep requirements. The same is true for your work experience, service, and leadership requirements, as long as they can be reliably documented after the fact.

Will doing the Peace Corps Prep certificate require me to add extra coursework to my plan of study?

Not necessarily. You may already be taking many of the required hours for your major. Courses may be built into your plan of study if you start early and plan accordingly. MSU’s block tuition program provides some flexibility to add credits, as well.

When is the application deadline for Peace Corps Prep?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There is a short survey you can complete to indicate interest and receive preliminary information. Further information about applying can be found on the “Apply” tab.

Is there a fee for the Peace Corps Prep program certificate?

The program itself does not have a fee. You will need to fulfill the various competency requirements, which will involve coursework, but with careful planning you should be able to work the PC Prep classes into your current plan of study.

Is there a penalty if I sign up for Peace Corps Prep and do not complete the program?

No. This is a voluntary program designed to boost your potential to secure a spot as a volunteer in the Peace Corps or in another organization. There is no penalty if you are not able to complete the requirements before graduation.

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 MSU receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps. While this does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps, you will be a stronger candidate for service. An official application will still be required to join the actual Peace Corps. You can work with MSU’s Peace Corps Recruitment Office for questions on applying to the Peace Corps.

What does the program involve?

Please see the “Program Requirements” tab and Student Guide for detailed descriptions of the program.

What is the time commitment for the Peace Corps Prep program?

This will vary. Most students enter a sector that overlaps with their major and their interests, so you may find you are covering much of the required coursework already. The key additional time commitment is the 50 hours of experience related to your sector. You may need to add a few courses, an immersion experience, an internship, or a leadership experience.

Will the Peace Corps Prep certificate appear on my transcript?

No. PC Prep is not a transcriptable certificate, but it is integrated with your Spartan Experience Record, also available from the Registrar.

How do I determine which Peace Corps sector is right for me?

Explore the Peace Corps website and volunteer openings page to get a sense for opportunities that look interesting to you. If you are studying in the health field, the Health sector may be most compatible. If you are biology major, you may be more interested in teaching high school science or working in an environmental job, and then you might prefer the Education or Environment sectors. Because most positions require a range of skills, Peace Corps tries to match volunteer skillsets with positions, and sometimes sector plays a secondary role. The PC Prep program coordinator and Peace Corps Recruiters can meet with you to discuss your choice of sector if you aren’t sure.

Do I have to set up my internship/field experience/volunteer experience on my own?

Part of Peace Corps’ mission is to send trained personnel into the field; respecting the communities in which you will live and work means bringing experience. You will document 50 hours in a particular sector to complete the certificate. Most students use an internship in their major or volunteer activities that interest them to complete this requirement. The Student Guide contains dozens of suggestions for possible venues to gain this experience.

Is an education abroad experience required for Peace Corps Prep?

No, we accept many forms of service, international education, and work experience to meet the Work Sector Experience requirement for Peace Corps Prep.

I have a medical condition that I think will disqualify me from Peace Corps service. Could I still apply for Peace Corps Prep?

Yes! Medical conditions do not disqualify anyone from the Peace Corps Prep program. As 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 by the Peace Corps medical office. Information about Peace Corps’ approach to medical conditions can be found on their Health and Safety page.

Are there Peace Corps Prep students or Peace Corps Volunteers that I can speak with about their experiences?

Yes! MSU has a rich history of Peace Corps Volunteers among its current faculty, staff, graduate students, and alumni. The Program Coordinator and Peace Corps Recruitment Office can help connect you with people. There are also opportunities throughout the academic year to meet other PC Prep students and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, including social events like pizza parties or coffee hours and informational events such as panels focusing on a particular sector or world region.

I have a question that was not answered above. How can I contact the program staff?

Please email us with any questions at pcprep@msu.edu, or feel free to call, make an appointment, or drop in during office hours. More contact information can be found on the “Contact” tab.