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Do I need a college degree to serve in the Peace Corps?
Did you know? There are several ways to qualify for Peace Corps assignments and many do not require a 4-year college degree.
With two to four years of work experience (or a blend of experience and education) you may qualify for exciting overseas assignments.
Since its founding in 1961, nearly 250,000 Americans have responded to the call to serve in the Peace Corps. Peace Corps Volunteers have lived and worked side by side with communities in more than 140 countries around the world. That spirit of peace and friendship through service inspires thousands of people to apply for Peace Corps assignments.
Experience and education
For many positions, a bachelor’s degree, four years of professional experience, or a combination of an associate's degree and two years of work experience are the minimum qualifications. Because Peace Corps Volunteers serve at the invitation of host country governments, hosting nations have the right to identify their own needs. Occasionally, the needs identified by host governments may be highly technical, and individuals with advanced skills, experience and qualifications are required to fill these needs. The Peace Corps encourages you to apply and showcase on your application your relevant volunteer and work experience as well as education, vocational, and technical training.
Pro tip: If you are planning to qualify based on years of experience, make sure that you clearly list job start and end dates on your resume. This will help your placement officer calculate your total years of experience.
Get experience that will help you qualify
All candidates are most competitive when they apply to programs that align with their studies or experiences. If you are thinking about Peace Corps service and have your eye on a specific program, seek out professional or volunteer experiences that will be relevant to the position. Volunteering in a local community garden or providing translations at a health clinic are just two examples of volunteer work that could help qualify you for our agriculture and health programs respectively.
Find the right fit
Want to take the first step in your Peace Corps journey? Our traditional two-year program is best known, but there are also opportunities to serve and participate through shorter-term Peace Corps Response and Virtual Service. Not sure which way to serve is for you? Take our 10-minute Find the Right Fit quiz to compare what you'll do, how you'll serve, the benefits, and more to help determine the right opportunity for you.
For more personalized help, connect with a local recruiter. Recruiters can discuss the application process and help identify what programs might be right for you.
To summarize, the Peace Corps welcomes all applicants and looks forward to your application that shares more about your relevant professional work and volunteer experience, as well as education and/or training.
