MSU Peace Corps Prep Program

Peace Corps Logo

Montana State University students have access to a certificate program that promotes intercultural competence and global service. MSU is a partner university with the Peace Corps and has the designation of university with an offical Peace Corps Prep program.

The Prep program includes a certificate for undergraduate students wishing to apply for Peace Corps volunteer positions after graduation, though it does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps. Established in 2007, the program aims to meet the demand for Peace Corps volunteers with a broad and relevant set of expertise and to support schools’ efforts to provide substantive, globally focused experiences for their students.

At MSU, the Prep program includes three courses and 50 hours of related volunteer work in one of the six Peace Corps program areas in education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development and community economic development. Over the course of the certificate, students will attend guest lectures, complete an internship, participate in service projects, meet with returning Peace Corps volunteers, develop foreign language skills and engage in professional leadership development for working in non-governmental organizations.

Open to all majors, the Peace Corps Prep program is housed in MSU’s College of Agriculture and managed by Tracy Dougher, College of Agriculture associate dean of academic programs. Dougher will work with students in advising service and coursework that best meets the certificate’s requirements.

Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 230,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. President Kennedy created the Peace Corps to allow a global exchange of skills and ideas and the individual experiences of Americans in developing countries to contribute to healthier and safer world.