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Peace Corps Prep

Ursinus College is one of a select group of colleges and universities authorized by the Peace Corps to offer Peace Corps Prep certification. The Peace Corps aims to help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women.

It also fosters cultural exchange, helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served and a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

peace corps

Curious about volunteering or working abroad after graduating? The Peace Corps provides a service opportunity for U.S. citizens to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. 

This certificate program ensures that students build the skills needed to have a positive impact as a Peace Corps Volunteer or working for another development organization. Students take inter-cultural and sector-specific classes, and complete 50 or more hours at a related internship, service learning or volunteer experience; advanced foreign language study is required for students interested in serving in Spanish- or French-speaking countries and recommended for all volunteers.

Students in the program benefit from sector-specific work in and out of the classroom, inter-cultural competency courses, leadership and professional development training, as well as foreign language study. By developing these core competencies, Peace Corps Prep students are highly competitive applicants for the Peace Corps and other domestic and international service organizations. 

Certificate Requirements

8 credits of foreign language study at the 200-level or above for service in Spanish- or French-speaking countries. Advanced language study recommended but not required for others.

12 credits of intercultural courses

    • One course that focuses on global diversity;
    • One course that focuses on diversity within the US;
    • One cross-cultural course.
  • 12 credit hours of sector-specific courses in one of the following sectors:
    • Agriculture
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Youth in Development
    • Community Economic Development
    • 50+ hours of internship, service learning or volunteer experience. These hours must provide relevant practical experience related to the chosen sector track, including the following:
      • Study abroad, including an approved service activity;
      • Tutoring or teaching, for example in an urban education program;
      • Volunteer service;
      • Management or accounting internship;
      • Agricultural or environmental work;
      • Health care or health education

  • Professional leadership & development consisting of all of the following:

    • Professional resume feedback and mock interview with the Center for Post-Graduate Development
    • Professional visit/interview with a Peace Corps Recruiter or Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
    • At least one significant leadership experience

Advantages of the Program:

Nickie Sene ('06), Country Director for Peace Corps, Cameroon

 

 

 

 

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  • Nickie Sene (’06), Peace Corps Country Director, Cameroon
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  • Contacts

    • Peace Corps Prep Coordinator, Rebecca Evans (revans@ursinus.edu)
    • Faculty sector coordinators:
      • Education Sector - Dr. Seamus Mulryan (Education Department)
      • Health Sector - Dr. Lauren Wynne & Dr. Catherine van de Ruit (Department of Anthropology & Sociology)
      • Environment Sector - Dr. Patrick Hurley (Department of Environmental Studies & Sustainability)
      • Agriculture Sector - Denise Finney (Biology Department)
      • Youth in Development - Dr. Terry Winegar (Psychology Department)
      • Community Economic Development - Maureen Cumpstone (Director, U-Imagine Center)