Global Programs: Student Info

Peace Corps Master's International
Program in Agriculture

Through any one of the master's degree programs offered in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, you can earn your master's degree and gain course credit for Peace Corps service. By completing this program, you will have a solid working knowledge of crop and animal production practices, sustaining agricultural productivity in a variety of environments, water quality and availability, biodiversity, and an introduction to the economic aspects of international agricultural development. Upon graduation, you can confidently enter the workforce with the competitive combination of international experience that employers seek in today's global economy, plus a master's degree from one of the nation's top public universities

You could be a candidate for this program if you:

• Are willing to take more than the average time commitment for a master's degree
• Want to work abroad in a developing country
• Are flexible and adaptable to change
• Are academically well prepared for a demanding graduate program

The Program

MI students may choose among master's degree programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In doing so, you should consider your interests and strengths, and how well those correlate with Peace Corps efforts around the world.

You will take at least one year of graduate courses before beginning your two-year Peace Corps assignment. Upon your return, you will complete your final coursework. Your curriculum will be designed to meet the University of Georgia's academic requirements and the nature of your Peace Corps service. You may be able to use your service experience as the basis for your master's thesis, or you may choose a non-thesis degree program where Peace Corps service could count toward an internship requirement. While serving in the Peace Corps, you will be entitled to all Peace Corps benefits, including:

• Language training and orientation
• Monthly living allowance
• Transportation
• Free medical and dental care

Upon returning from the Peace Corps, you will be eligible for all the benefits contingent on completion of service, including:

• Student loan deferment, and in some cases partial forgiveness
• Payment of a readjustment allowance (to be determined by the Peace Corps)

Qualifying for the MI Program

To qualify for this program you must meet the application prerequisites of both the UGA Graduate School and the Peace Corps.

 

For the UGA Graduate School:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. You should also have ranked in the upper half of your undergraduate class and should have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in the field in which you propose to study.

• An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Departmental approval for admission

For the Peace Corps:

• US citizenship
• 18 years of age
• Ability to meet medical, legal and general suitability requirements

The Application Process

You must adhere to the standard application procedures, deadlines, and necessary qualifications of both the Peace Corps and the University of Georgia. While this is a cooperative program, each institution will decide on the acceptability of your application based on its own standards. Enrollment in the master's degree program does not guarantee your acceptance as a Peace Corps volunteer, nor does acceptance into the Peace Corps assure your acceptance into the UGA Graduate School.

First, investigate master's degree programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and talk with the Peace Corps representative in your area to see if this program is for you. Then, contact the Office of Global Programs at the University of Georgia, where you can get advice on graduate programs and contact names and numbers for graduate coordinators in your area of interest. You must apply to the Graduate School and the Peace Corps simultaneously, allowing at least six months for the completion of both application processes. We recommend that you successfully complete your initial Peace Corps interview and reach the nomination stage of the Peace Corps application process before arriving at UGA to begin coursework.

Be sure to keep in touch with both UGA and the Peace Corps and keep each party informed of any change in plans.

Financial Considerations

The Graduate School has allotted one graduate assistantship for the MI Program. If more than one student should apply, the assistantship will be awarded on a competitive basis. Upon return from Peace Corps service, the Graduate School will allow one out-of-state tuition waiver. MI students are also eligible to compete for university-wide and departmental assistantships. MI students may pay their own tuition; however, some departments require an assistantship for admission.

For More Information

United States Peace Corps
1111 20th Street NW
Washington, DC 20526
Phone: 800-424-8580
WWW: www.peacecorps.gov/masters

Office of Global Programs
216 Hoke Smith Building
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-4356
Phone: 706-542-1073
Fax: 706-542-7905
E-mail: ekanema@uga.edu

Graduate School Admissions
The University of Georgia
Boyd Graduate Studies Research Center
Athens, GA 30602-7402
Phone: 706-542-1787
Fax: 706-542-9480
E-mail: gradadm@uga.edu
WWW: www.gradsch.uga.edu/