PEACE CORPS
MASTER'S INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
In July 2007, Texas A&M University became a partner in the Peace Corps’ Master's International Program. Students studying for a Master of Science or Master of Agriculture in one of ten participating departments and seven interdiciplinary programs of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can integrate their coursework and research with their Peace Corps service. Other degree students eligible for the program are those studying for the Master of Renewable Natural Resources, Master of Wildlife Sciences or Master of Fisheries Science.
MI program participants will work with their faculty advisor and committee, as well as the MI Program Coordinator, to plan a degree program that fulfills their career objectives and degree requirements while also preparing them for their Peace Corps service. They will complete 24 credit hours at Texas A&M prior to fulfilling their 2-year commitment to the Peace Corps. Depending on their department and degree program as well as research and independent study undertaken in concert with the experiential learning of their Peace Corps service, participating students will receive 3–12 credit hours as research hours, internship hours, as directed studies courses with a faculty member at Texas A&M, or as a combination of these. The MI student, their major professor and the MI Program Coordinator would work together to coordinate research required for a thesis or professional paper into required duties of Peace Corps service to minimize additional time required of the volunteer. No other courses will be required during the student’s field assignment. However, if a student is located where they could take a distance education course, they would be eligible to do so. MI students will be required to submit quarterly reports to the MI Program Coordinator and his/her major professor. These will be part of the grade they receive for their research and/or fieldwork.
After the Peace Corps tour is completed, the student will return to campus to complete any remaining credits for his degree plan, to write his thesis or professional paper, and to complete his examinations.
Areas of specialization available in Texas A&M’s Peace Corps MI program are: economic entomology, entomology, agronomy, agricultural chemistry, plant breeding, plant sciences, poultry sciences, fisheries sciences, wildlife and fisheries sciences, urban wildlife and fisheries, wildlife sciences, floriculture, horticulture, animal science, dairy science, physiology of reproduction, animal breeding, agricultural development, agricultural education, agricultural economics, plant pathology, plant protection, ecosystem science and management, forest science, and rangeland ecology and management.
To become a part of the Peace Corps Master's International Program at Texas A&M, interested students will simultaneously apply to the Peace Corps, graduate school at Texas A&M University, and the Texas A&M MI Program.
- The Peace Corps. Students should note on their application that they are also applying for graduate study at Texas A&M.
- Texas A&M Graduate School. Students will note in their application that they are simultaneously applying to the Peace Corps
- Texas A&M MI Program. Submit applications to the MI Program Coordinator at the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture. Include:
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Copy of the Peace Corps application
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Copy of the graduate school application
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Essay on why the student wishes to take part in the MI program and Peace Corps
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Past international experience
Students accepted into the Peace Corps MI program will be eligible for all financial assistance available to others seeking a degree in their program. This will include graduate assistantships while they are on campus. Individuals are responsible for seeking their own financial aid.
The MI Program will pay for one, on-site visit by their major professor to their service site to evaluate and provide guidance for their research program.
Please contact Cathryn Clement in the Borlaug Institute for more information on this and other international academic programs.
(office#: +1.979.458.0820)
