Michigan Technological University — College of Sciences and Arts

http://www.bio.mtu.edu/peacecorps/

Program Type:

Master's International

Department:

College of Sciences and Arts

Degrees Awarded:

Biological Sciences (MS)

Admissions Deadlines:

No specific deadline

Admissions Cycle:

Rolling

Program Start:

Typically Fall but students may start during any semester

Program Founded:

May, 2010

Benefits

Students will earn one credit hour for each academic semester (typically 7, including summer) served in the Peace Corps. Michigan Tech will pay for the credits earned during Peace Corps service and provides a reduced tuition rate for Peace Corps Masters International (PCMI) students while on campus. PCMI students may be employed as graduate teaching assistants or research assistants while on campus and may also be eligible for work-study employment. However, due to limited support opportunities, students should seek their own support for this program.

Description

The Peace Corps Masters International (PCMI) Program in Biological Sciences will prepare individuals to serve in a variety of educational settings in developing countries where the Peace Corps serves. While at Michigan Tech the volunteers will prepare themselves to educate secondary and college level students in the Biological Sciences, including human health and environmental issues.

Students with a more extensive health related background (eg Clinical Laboratory Science majors with ASCP certification, students who have completed Certified Nursing Assistant training and students with EMT training) could work in a variety of Health areas.

Students may complete either a Plan A (thesis) or a Plan B (report) option and will be asked to select either an environmental track or a human health track. Either track will prepare the student for secondary teaching but the health track students will concentrate their elective courses to prepare them for a variety of health outreach positions and those in the environmental track will prepare for environmental outreach positions. The degree program will consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours of academic study, depending on the program pursued; with 3-4 semesters of academic study.

Requirements

The target audiences for the MS in Biological Sciences will be (1) individuals who hold teacher certification but wish to enhance their biology knowledge through earning a Masters Degree in Biological Sciences; and (2) individuals holding a degree in the biological sciences who wish to augment their biology knowledge and at the same time acquire some basic teaching skills in order to serve as environmental education or health volunteers. Applicants who do not already have their secondary education certification and who wish to work towards earning it through Peace Corps service will be directed to Michigan Techs PCMI program in Applied Science Education.

All applicants should have completed their baccalaureate degree by the time they begin their studies at Michigan Tech. This degree could be in any field but most will likely have earned their degree in biology or a related area (eg wildlife ecology or biochemistry). Acceptance is based on the students letter of intent, his/her academic record, Graduate Record Exam scores, and letters of recommendation. We require applicants to identify a potential mentor prior to acceptance. For Peace Corps Masters International students this mentor will be the Biology Department Program Coordinator. Those who wish to complete the Plan A Masters Degree will also need to identify a research mentor.

For inquiries about Master's International, call 855.855.1961 x1812.