WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Peace Corps announced today the top 10 Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing institutions for the 2019–2020 academic year. Additionally, the Peace Corps is excited to announce seven newly established Peace Corps Prep university program partnerships.

Peace Corps Prep is a certificate program, which teaches students sector-specific skills, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence and professional experience and leadership. While having a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps, enrolling in the program will help students be more competitive.

There are more than 140 Peace Corps Prep partner institutions across the country. Established in 2007, the program aims to meet the demand for Peace Corps Volunteers with a broad and relevant areas of expertise and to support the schools’ efforts to provide substantive, globally focused experiences for their students.

“Partner institutions that provide Peace Corps Prep programs are an invaluable asset, because they help potential Volunteers attain education and training that makes them more competitive candidates,” said Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. “Prep-certified Volunteers often arrive in their communities possessing valuable leadership skills add intercultural savvy—necessary building blocks to achieving lasting impact. We applaud our educational partners for their dynamic role in our Volunteers’ success.”

The top 10 2019–2020 Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing institutions are:

1) Virginia Commonwealth University – 81

2) University of South Florida – 49

3) University of Florida – 35

4) Pacific Lutheran University – 34

5) Mercer University – 28 (tied)

5) Monmouth University – 28 (tied)

7) SUNY – University of Albany – 22

8) University of South Carolina – 19

9) University of Georgia – 18

10) University of Vermont – 17

The program centers around empowering students to prepare themselves to be the best Peace Corps Volunteer they can be. It is an opportunity for colleges and universities to globalize their campuses through a partnership with the Peace Corps and enhance the undergraduate experience of their students by preparing them for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service. While having a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps, enrolling in the program will help students be more competitive.

New Peace Corps Prep partnerships have been established at the following seven universities within the last year:

• Louisiana State University
• Northern Arizona University
• San Diego State University
• SUNY - Stony Brook University
• Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Puerto Rico
• University of West Florida
• University of Wyoming

“Peace Corps Prep is a wonderful opportunity for all undergraduate students to develop competencies that will fortify their aspirations to serve abroad,” said La’Teashia Sykes, Peace Corps Director of University Programs. “Congratulations to the top 10 Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing schools, and a special thanks to all of our partnering institutions for cultivating the interest of students in Peace Corps service.”

Interested students can find additional information and a full listing of Peace Corps Prep programs around the county by visiting Peace Corps Prep.