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The Missouri State University Peace Corps Prep program will prepare you for international
development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service. To accomplish this, you’ll
build five core competencies through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience,
and professional development support.
Requirements:
Complete at least 3 courses that relate to your chosen work sector.
Accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of related volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.
Engaging thoughtfully and fluidly across cultures begins with one’s own self-awareness.
With this learning objective, you will deepen your cultural 'agility' through a mix
of three introspective courses/electives in which you learn about others while reflecting upon your own self in relation to
others. You will learn cultural relativism. The goal is for you to build your capacity to shift perspective and behavior around
relevant cultural differences.
Requirement:
Either complete 3 approved courses OR complete 1-2 courses + a substantive intercultural experience.
Peace Corps service and similar international development work opportunities are highly
professional and selective. PC Prep requires three specific activities that will strengthen
your candidacy for the Peace Corps (or any other professional endeavor):
Requirements:
Resume: Have your resume reviewed by someone in the MSU's Career Center.
Interview skills: Practice your interview skills with MSU's Career Center.
Leadership Experience: Develop at least one significant leadership experience.
You can fulfill all three requirements individually or by taking Sociology 492: Leadership and Professional Development.
Requirement:
Students intending to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Spanish-speaking countries
must complete two 200-level Spanish courses or demonstrate strong intermediate proficiency
in Spanish.
Students intending to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in French-speaking African
countries must complete one 200-level French or other Romance language courses or
demonstrate proficiency in said language.
Students indicating an intention to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer anywhere else
do not have explicit language requirements to complete the Peace Corps Prep Program,
but are encouraged to study a foreign language, which will show aptitude for learning
another language.
Exceptions:
If you speak two or more languages and can demonstrate your proficiency, you can skip
this requirement. We will need to note this in your file.
If you have already taken and passed foreign language courses, or tested out of language
requirements for Missouri State, these courses/tests will fulfill this requirement
for the Peace Corps Prep certificate.
Note:
Peace Corps language requirements vary by region; Peace Corps does not have specific
language requirements for all volunteer placements sites.
Requirements:
Complete one of the following activities:
Meet with one of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers on the MSU Peace Corps Prep Committee.
