Indiana University - Bloomington - Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

About this program

The Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University is a proud participant in the Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program. The O’Neill School offers interdisciplinary, professional degree programs that equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead change in addressing significant policy issues.

O’Neill's top-ranked Master of Public Affairs (MPA) broadens students understanding of economic, political, legal, and social issues encompassing public service while also developing expertise in specialization areas, which include International Development; Community and Economic Development; Energy and Climate Policy; Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management; Information Systems; Nonprofit Management; Policy Analysis; Public Financial Administration; Health Policy; Public Management; Local Government Management; and Sustainability and Sustainable Development.

The Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) degree bridges the applied disciplines of chemistry, civil and chemical engineering, biology and geology. It focuses on the world's ecosystems and prepares students with the technical skills to solve complex environmental problems that are interdisciplinary in nature, including aspects of public policy and regulations, while developing expertise in one of the following specialization areas: Ecology and Conservation; Energy and Climate Change Science; Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology and Risk Assessment; and Water Resources.

The O’Neill School also offers a dual MPA-MSES, which fully integrates applied science and policy in an expedited 60-credit hour design.

• Year partnership began: 2005
• Fellowships awarded per year (average): 5

Application requirements

Unofficial transcripts; 3 recommendation letters; Personal statement; Resume

Admissions process

When submitting your online application, please select Peace Corps in the Questions section of the application to be considered for a Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship. Admission decisions are offered 2-3 weeks after completion of the application, with Fellowship offers being distributed at a separate time.

Degrees awarded

Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES), Dual Master of Public Affairs-Master of Science in Environmental Science (MPA-MSES)

Benefits and opportunities

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $17,394

Cost savings details

All returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) receive a 6-credit hour reduction in recognition of their 2 years of Peace Corps service, thereby reducing the 48-credit hour program to 42 hours (or the 60-credit dual MPA-MSES program to 54 credits). Coverdell Fellows also receive partial tuition remission (50%) and a 12 hour/week placement in O’Neill's Service Corps program, for which Fellows earn $18/hour (paid biweekly).

Internship

Coverdell Fellows participate in O’Neill’s Service Corps program, through which students serve approximately 12 hours/week working at a community partner organization, thereby allowing them to apply their knowledge and classroom learning in a real-world work setting. Community partners include nonprofit organizations such as United Way of Monroe County, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, and Sycamore Land Trust, as well as public organizations such as the City of Bloomington, Monroe County Government, and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Other opportunities

All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are considered for other benefits. Please visit the O’Neill’s Peace Corps page to learn more.

Fellows are eligible to apply for continuing student scholarships, which are applied to their second year of study.

All returned Peace Corps volunteers will receive a minimum annual tuition reduction of 50% if admitted to a master's programs with Coverdell Fellows.

Jobs for alumni

• Senior Laboratory Technician: AVEK Water Agency
• STEM: Technology Policy Fellow: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
• Federal Consultant: Deloitte Consulting LLP
• Presidential Management Fellow: Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Analyst, Governmental Accountability Office
• Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager: Teach for America

Nontraditional options

We also offer an online MPA program. However, Coverdell Fellows must be enrolled full-time in O’Neill's residential program.