Why you should consider this program

The Future Generations MA in Applied Community Development allows you to build upon your Peace Corps experience by focusing on professional skills and knowledge relevant to ongoing development work.  Your internship will be the community in which you apply these skills throughout the degree program.  Future Generations understands and promotes community-based development as evidenced by on-the-ground projects implemented by our alumni and partners around the world.  As a Future Generations student, you become part of this worldwide network of people passionate about making a difference. A flexible curriculum enables learning that is relevant to you, and a hybrid delivery model learning that is relevant to you, and a hybrid delivery model enables you to work from home or your internship site.  There is no need to relocate.  Optional field residentials abroad give you the opportunity to experience best practices in community development around the world.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 25,600	$ 6,400	$ 19,200
Out of state	$ 25,600	$ 6,400	$ 19,200

* 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 the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

25% of tuition waiver

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

10 total

Other benefits or opportunities

Opportunity to participate in the Master’s program as an AmeriCorps volunteer, maximizing the internship experience.

Application fee waived?

Yes

Internship

The internship experience for Coverdell Fellows is the community in which you will apply the lessons learned in the Master’s program.  This could be any community which fits the definition of being an underserved U.S. community.  Future Generations can help identify a community in our office locations of rural West Virginia or the areas surrounding Denver, CO, or you may identify your own. A particularly successful internship site was a Boys and Girls Club in West Virginia, a relationship cultivated by the Fellow.  Another possibility includes joining the Fellows program as an AmeriCorps volunteer in order to benefit from the AmeriCorps placement process for the internship. Future Generations also has partners engaged in farm-to-market, community gardening, public health, and youth empowerment initiatives.

Jobs for program alumni

Alumni are typically promoted to higher management positions within their organizations or find new opportunities which match their interest and expertise. With the confidence and skills gained in the MA program, others go on to found their own non-profit or nongovernmental organizations.  Our alumni come from around the world and thus offer many networking opportunities for students interested in global development work. Our Fellow who participated in the conservation specialization of the MA is now Office Manager at Refresh Appalachia, transforming the lives of those displaced by the coal industry through agricultural training and entrepreneurship.  Another alumna focused on conservation created her own non-profit called Let us Compost, a breakthrough in the food waste culture of Athens, GA.

Other details

Program length

2-3 years (can be completed as a part-time or full-time student)

Application requirements

College transcripts, community statement, curriculum vitae (CV), signed Peace Corps Description of Service, letter of recommendation

Admissions process

Check Coverdell Fellows box in application, submit documents in addition to application. We will inform you of your acceptance to the MA program and Coverdell Fellows program at the same time. Financial Aid process will follow.

Program begins

Early Feb and Late August

Non-traditional options

• Online degree program
• Low residency or distance learning

Because students do not need to relocate for the MA program, they may continue to live and work in their home community. This provides an extra financial benefit.

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2011

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Contact

Chris Roper, Registrar