Michigan Technological University - School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

About this program

The Coverdell Fellows program at Michigan Tech is a great way to reenter the United States after Peace Corps service, or a great mid-career opportunity to upskill through a service-oriented master’s program. Houghton is rural and remote, surrounded by forests and Lake Superior, with lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. Michigan Tech has an active Peace Corps community. Our Fellows program utilizes internships with VISTA through Conservation Legacy and the Great Basin Institute, which have active programs working in underserved communities. Graduate classes are small and focused. The program is typically one year on campus, one year of an internship, and one more academic semester to complete a research project. Flexible part-time options are also available.

Year partnership began: 2013
Fellowships awarded per year (average): unlimited

Application requirements

All returned Peace Corps Volunteers must submit their Description of Service (DOS). Current Peace Corps Volunteers should submit a letter of support from their Country Director specifying that the applicant is in good standing until the DOS is available.
Online Application, Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, Letters of Recommendation, Resume/CV (optional). Details are on our website: http://www.mtu.edu/gradschool/admissions/requirements/

Admissions process

List Peace Corps Fellows as an interest on the application, and the application will be tracked separately. Other steps in the application process are the same. Prior consultation with a faculty member and/or the Fellows program coordinator is recommended.

Degrees awarded

Master of Science in: Applied Ecology; Forestry; Forest Ecology and Management; Forest Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology

Benefits and opportunities

	In-state	Out-of-state
Tuition and fees	$34,684	$34,684
Value of fellowship	$21,231	$21,231
Net cost	$13,453	$13,453

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: $9,710

Cost savings details

1/3 tuition reduction based on RPCV status, 3 no-cost credits during VISTA service, $6495 Segal Education Award based upon one year of VISTA service.

Internship

The year-long VISTA internships are conducted in coordination with Conservation Legacy and the Great Basin Institute. Fellows often work in communities that have been economically or environmentally damaged by prior mining or other extractive industrial activities. The communities have needs such as stream and watershed restoration, infrastructure renewal, historic preservation, economic development, and broader community development programs. Returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) enhance the program by bringing their experience with community development to the program. It is a natural fit for RPCVs who want to continue to work in rural development and improve their skill set by obtaining a graduate education in the appropriate field of study.

Other opportunities

Other research and teaching assistantships and general graduate awards are available on a competitive basis.

Jobs for alumni

Program alumni are prepared for rewarding jobs in both the private and public sectors. Examples include working for forest and natural resource management firms, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations.