FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Peace Corps Announces University Partnerships

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 6, 2003 – The Peace Corps is proud to announce the establishment of a new Masters International (MI) partnership program with Bard College of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. In addition, Georgia State University, an MI participant since 1999, and Washington State University, a partner institution since 1990, have both renewed and expanded their existing MI programs for potential Peace Corps volunteers. Tulane University, Emory University, Rutgers University, Michigan Technological University, the University of Denver, The University of the Pacific, University of California, Davis, and St. Michael’s College, of Colchester, Vermont, have also renewed their respective MI programs.

The MI Program continues to further the links between the Peace Corps and universities nationwide. The program provides students, who are pursuing their MA degree at participating universities and colleges, with the prospect to complete course requirements while volunteering with the Peace Corps. This valuable opportunity gives students the chance to complete their degree, while simultaneously helping developing communities.

Bard College will permit its students to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Policy, as they complete their two years of service with the Peace Corps. The degree features the integrated application of the natural and social sciences for the analysis of environmental problems and responses. The program will be located in the Bard Center for Environmental Policy.

Georgia State University’s expansion program is with the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, and it offers graduate students the opportunity to study economics, urban studies, policy, or public administration while in the Peace Corps. Washington State University’s program addition is in the Department of Anthropology, with an emphasis on environmental anthropology. Throughout the world, Peace Corps’ environmental volunteers actively strive to promote environmental understanding, giving people the tools with which they can best preserve and protect their fragile surroundings.

Tulane University’s MI Program is housed at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Students participating in the program may obtain either a Master of Science in Public Health or a Master of Public Health degree centered towards a certain concentration. Emory University’s program is housed in the Rollins School of Public Health, International Health Program, and offers seven areas of concentration.

Students participating in the MI Program at Rutgers University receive a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in either international development administration or public service and development administration. Michigan Technological University’s program is a component of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and the College of Engineering.

The University of Denver’s program, which allows students to receive a Master of Arts degree in International Administration, began in 1999. The program at the University of the Pacific has been in existence since 1997, and continues to enable its students to obtain a Master of Business. The program at the University of California, Davis, is located within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Science. St. Michael’s College offers students the opportunity to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language.

The Peace Corps has 46 partner institutions participating in the MI Program. For more information regarding the colleges and universities, and becoming a Peace Corps Master’s International student, please contact us at 1.800.424.8580.

Since 1961, more than 170,000 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 agrealth 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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