 Being able to integrate hands-on public health practices into daily life, having exposure to real-world health issues and the chance to learn how to confront and deal with those issues across cultures, and seeing theories played out in real life, in real time, and for long enough to see a project through does not have to be the stuff of fantasy. Rather, it is a real opportunity provided by Peace Corps Master’s International (MI).
“Graduate school or Peace Corps service…why not do both?” asks the Peace Corps Office of University Programs’ slogan. Master’s International combines Peace Corps service with the pursuit of a graduate degree. The MI program was created to provide potential Volunteers with academic preparation in scarce skill areas, one of which is public health. Interested candidates apply to graduate school at one of the partner institutions and to Peace Corps at the same time. Upon acceptance to both, students generally do one year of on-campus coursework, then spend a full 27-month term in the Peace Corps, during which they work on a project related to their degree program. Following service, they return to campus to finish their degree requirements. Individual school partners decide on the details, such as the course requirements and financial benefits to MI students. The Peace Corps determines the student’s primary assignment overseas. Currently, 15 health-related programs—from public health to environmental health to tropical medicine—are offered through 11 different Master’s International partners. The program is expanding at a rapid rate. Having completed a request for proposals, the Peace Corps will be adding more public health programs through eight new partner schools in the coming months.
|
