FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, October 13, 2008

Peace Corps Master's International Partners with Indiana University

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 13, 2008 - The Peace Corps recently welcomed Indiana University at Bloomington as its newest Master\'s International (MI) partner school. Indiana University joins more than 55 other institutions offering the Master\'s International option to potential Peace Corps Volunteers.

The new program, offered through Indiana University at Bloomington\'s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), will grant successful participants either a Master\'s of Science degree in environmental science (MSES), or a dual degree that couples a Master\'s of Public Affairs (MPA) with a Master\'s of Science in environmental science. Indiana University is already a Fellows/USA partner, and through that program has been offering both MPA and MSES degrees to returned Peace Corps Volunteers since 2005.

Said Peace Corps Ronald A. Tschetter, "I am enthusiastic the Master\'s International partnership with Indiana University at Bloomington, a program that will further strengthen our existing partnership with the school. The Master\'s International program is a unique opportunity for students to be able to combine graduate studies with Peace Corps service overseas, and I am sure that students and faculty alike in the area of environmental science will benefit greatly from this program.\'

Henk Haitjema, Ph.D. and Director of the Master of Science in Environmental Science Program said, \'The School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) has a long tradition of encouraging students to pursue international experience in order to gain applied skills and cultural sensitivity. The new MI program is a valuable complement to this and underscores SPEA\'s ongoing support to the Peace Corps\' mission. The MI program fits very well with the goals of the Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) and the dual Master of Public Affairs (MPA) and MSES degree programs. The students in the MI program will much enrich our student community both in and outside the classroom."

Students who have been accepted to both the university program and the Peace Corps will be eligible for the program which, besides class work towards the degree, will include a full Peace Corps assignment overseas, and a field-based research project. After successful completion of the Peace Corps assignment, students will return to the campus to finish out their degree requirements.

For more information about Master\'s International, please visit the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov/masters. The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and abroad, and a 30-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 187,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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