Western Illinois University

About this program

We offer a two-year, graduate fellowship program that provides RPCVs the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree while also applying their unique life and service experience to rural communities in Illinois. Central to our program, is the 11-month, paid internship in which RPCVs lead local development projects, such as: downtown revitalization, business retention and expansion, tourism development, health education, volunteer recruitment & management, and disaster preparedness.

Our students work to build local capacity, mobilize volunteers, and make sustainable progress. In conjunction with our program's AmeriCorps grant, RPCVs have the opportunity to link their graduate assistantships and full-time internships to half and/or full-time AmeriCorps service assignments, respectively. As such, our student's community-based service allows them to earn an AmeriCorps Education Award, in addition to the tuition waiver and guaranteed graduate assistantship stipend. We are committed to the personal and professional growth of our students and support their participation in multiple conference and training opportunities throughout the two-year program.

We are managed through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) and maintain an extensive network of partners on-campus, and across the state, in order to support our students and the work they do in host communities. Join us, apply today!

Year partnership began: 1994
Fellowships awarded per year (average): 12

Application requirements

Apply to WIU and one of our ten partnering departments at wiu.edu/grad

Apply to our Peace Corps Fellows (PCF) program by submitting:

Your online survey (http://www.wiu.edu/peace_corps/fellows/apply.php),
Your resume
A copy of your Description of Service (DOS) (draft is acceptable if you have not completed your service)
A two-page essay which addresses your reasons for applying to the program, your career aspirations, and a motivational statement describing your interest and commitment to community and economic development

Admissions process

Complete your application requirements
PCF staff will review your application
With a positive review we will set up an online interview (skype or other e-interface)

Degrees awarded

Master of Arts: Community and Economic Development, Economics, Geography, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Political Science, Sociology; Master of Business Administration; Master of Science: Health Sciences, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration; Master of Science: Education and Interdisciplinary Studies

Benefits and opportunities

	In-state	Out-of-state
Tuition and fees	$17,219	$17,219
Value of fellowship	$51,395	$51,395
Net cost	$0 + additional benefits	$0 + additional benefits

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: $6,880

Cost savings details

Program Assets
AmeriCorps
USDA Rural Development
Host Sites

Internship

Hands-on Internship Experience
Strong Personal and Professional Support
Access to a Network of Community Development Professionals through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Access to a Social Network of RPCVs Committed to Service and Education
Opportunity to Work on the Third Goal of Peace Corps
Rewarding Employment Opportunities After Graduation

Other opportunities

AmeriCorps education award
Additional trainings and conferences

Jobs for alumni

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MAPPING the Future of Your Community, IIRA
Public Analysist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Director, Performance Improvement at Illinois Hospital Association, Springfield, IL
Rural Hospital Development, Illinois Hospital Association
Public Health Educator, Public Health of Muskegon County, MI
Executive Director, Fort Bend Cares, Missouri City TX
Executive Assistant at the Trust for Public Lands, NYC
NY Department of Environmental Conservation National Park Service
Peace Corps Regional Recruiter
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, Program Specialist
Village Administrator, Village of Lena IL