FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 16, 2003

Peace Corps Announces University Partnerships

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2003 – The Peace Corps recently announced the addition of two new partnerships to its Master’s International Program (MI). Both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Cincinnati have signed agreements which will enable their graduate students to serve in the Peace Corps. In addition to these new programs, Loma Linda University and the University of Georgia recently expanded their existing MI programs for prospective Peace Corps volunteers.

The MI Program continues to foster the bonds between Peace Corps and universities nationwide. The program provides students who are pursuing their M.A. degree at participating universities and colleges with the opportunity to complete course requirements while volunteering overseas with the Peace Corps. This unique prospect gives students the chance to work on their degree while simultaneously helping the world community.

Johns Hopkins University will begin to offer academic credit for Peace Corps service to those students completing the Master’s of Health Science program. Students enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Master’s of Community Planning will also be eligible to receive credit for their work abroad with Peace Corps.

"Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) is very eager to collaborate with the Peace Corps’ Master\'s International Program. We strongly believe that, by spending the academic year in the Master\'s of Health Sciences program in International Health here at Johns Hopkins, followed by a health-related Peace Corps assignment, these students will have the education and hands-on experience to make them valuable public health professionals, “ said Joanne Katz, Professor of International Health, JHSPH

Loma Linda University has been involved in the MI Program for eight years, and in renewing this year’s agreement, expanded its already extensive list of Health programs eligible for Peace Corps volunteers. The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia has reaffirmed its commitment to future volunteers enrolled in a wide array of agriculture and environmental sciences. These partnerships attest to the valuable educational experience that Peace Corps volunteers receive while working abroad.

The Peace Corps has 47 partner institutions participating in the MI Program. For more information about becoming a Peace Corps Master’s International student and the participating universities and colleges, please click on the following link.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/gradschool/masters/index.cfm .

Since 1961, more than 168,000 Volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.

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