University of Miami - Masters of Arts In International Administration

About this program

The University of Miami’s Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) program is pleased to offer the Coverdell Fellowship in partnership with the United States Peace Corps. We invite Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to join us in this unique opportunity to draw upon your international experiences and prepare you to be a leader and change-agent in the career of your choice, making professional connections along the way.

Miami is a metropolitan city located at the gateway to the hemisphere. A multicultural crossroads as well as a burgeoning tech hub, Miami is the ideal destination for RPCVs looking to continue their educational pathway. Our neighborhoods range from fast-paced to laid-back, from art-loving to nature-focused, from cosmopolitan to suburban. With an extraordinary blend of colors, cultures, and opportunities, there is always something new to experience in our fantastically diverse city.

Concentrations:

RPCVs may choose from among any of the MAIA programs concentrations:

Security Management, which includes an add-on certificate
Geospatial Technology, which includes an add-on certificate
Health Equity & Human Rights
Risk Communications
International Crime & Justice
Or, if you have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or greater, you may propose an independent concentration for approval by the MAIA Director.

Year partnership began: 2021
Fellowships awarded per year (average): 4

Application requirements

- Online Application (fee waived)
- Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
- Resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose: should reflect who you are, your goals and why you would be an asset to the MAIA program.
- Three letters of Recommendation: Two letters should be from a professor/faculty member. One letter should be from an employer, colleague, or other professional source.

Admissions process

All RPCVs will be considered for Coverdell Fellowship funding. No additional steps or forms are required. Please be sure to contact the Coverdell coordinator before applying to ensure your eligibility. All Coverdell Fellows who have been accepted to the MAIA program will be notified by mid-April.

Degrees awarded

Master of Arts In International Administration Optional: Certificate in Security Management or Certificate in Geospatial Technology

Benefits and opportunities

	In-state	Out-of-state
Tuition and fees	$69,865	$69,865
Value of fellowship	$33,605	$33,605
Net cost	$36,260	$36,260

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: $30,000

Cost savings details

Coverdell Fellows who are accepted will be offered a 50% tuition waiver to attend the University of Miami’s Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) program, provided they remain in good academic standing, at all times, throughout the duration of their program. Coverdell Fellows are also able to waive of the $85 application fee. Please contact the Graduate Admissions officer Catherine Wheeling ([email protected]) to receive the waiver code prior to applying.

Internship

The capstone experience is a critical component of the MAIA program. The MAIA program builds upon RPCVs unique experience in understanding complex problems and addressing them on a community scale. Students culminate their MAIA degree with an internship experience in partnership with the Office of Civic and Community Engagement and the Toppel Career Center. Through the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, MAIA students have access to service-learning courses and initiatives related to urban affordable housing and Miami’s response to sea-level rise. Among the placement opportunities for Coverdell Fellows are: the Refugee Assistance Alliance, a local non-profit that works to provide education, empowerment, self-efficiency, and community integration for refugees from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East who have been recently resettled in Miami-Dade or Broward counties through the U.S. refugee resettlement program; Catalyst Miami, an affordable housing initiative that works to identify and collectively solve issues adversely affecting low-wealth communities throughout Miami-Dade County; and the Community Justice Project, which works closely with community organizers and grassroots groups to provide access to justice especially for people in poverty, minorities, and those faced with language and cultural barriers.

Other opportunities

Coverdell Fellows may also apply for assistantships through the Office of Civic and Community Engagement. These vary by semester. Additionally, UM has volunteer opportunities and leadership retreats offered by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership. All students in the MAIA program are invited to take a leadership role within the Interdisciplinary and Professional Graduate Student Organization, which sponsors professional development workshops and micro-credentialing opportunities for all graduate students throughout the year.