Since 1992, Washington State University and the Peace Corps have cooperated in a joint graduate educational program. At this time, WSU offers the MI program in the Environmental Anthropology and Public Health Anthropology options in the Department of Anthropology.
Like all Master's International Programs, the WSU program allows students to combine graduate education with international service. In this program students attend WSU for a year of graduate courses prior to spending two years overseas as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon completion of their assignment, the students return to campus to complete their degree requirements.
The Peace Corps assignment and an approved project provide the basis for the graduate thesis or project paper. While serving in the Peace Corps, participants are awarded graduate credits—ranging from 3 to 6—for the Peace Corps experience. During the Peace Corps assignment they receive all the benefits a regular volunteer is entitled to including language training and orientation, a monthly living allowance, transportation, and free medical and dental care.
Past and current participants
- Protected Areas Management Volunteer. This student’s thesis was a developmental ethnographic analysis of Fair Trade coffee production in Honduras.
- Educational Volunteer in a school for disabled children in Panama.
- Volunteer in Mauritania as an Environmental Education for school children. His thesis is on patterns of migration and culture change in a Mauritanian agricultural community.
- Volunteer in Panama as an Environmental Education Volunteer. Her thesis research is on knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding among rural Panamanian women.
- Others are working in Somalia, Ghana and Romania.
Qualifying for the Program
To qualify for the MI program you must meet the application prerequisites of both the WSU Graduate School and the Peace Corps.
For the WSU Graduate School
• At least a B grade-point
average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or the equivalent in the
last 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate
work at a recognized college or university (official
transcripts are required).
• Departmental approval for
admission. The evaluation will include
consideration of scores on the GRE, three letters of
recommendation and a personal statement (but see
current department requirements).
For the Peace Corps
• U. S. citizenship.
• Attainment of at least 18
years of age.
• Ability to meet medical,
legal, and general suitability requirements
Applying for the Program
The standard application procedures, deadlines, and necessary qualifications of each institution remain in effect with regard to your applications. Please note that enrollment in the master’s degree program does not guarantee acceptance as a Peace Corps volunteer. It is your responsibility to keep each party informed of your status.
Write or call the WSU MI Coordinator and the departmental coordinator. Contact your closest Peace Corps regional office or campus representative. There are 11 regional offices across the U.S.
To find the closest contact point, call the Peace Corps at 800-424-8580, and press option 1.
In both cases as you talk to university and Peace Corps advisers, let them know you are considering applying as a Master’s International candidate.
Apply to the WSU Graduate School and the Peace Corps as far in advance of your anticipated starting date as possible. Keep in mind that the WSU program has a priority deadline of January 15, for fall admission. Remember that six months is the minimum amount of time necessary to allow processing of both applications.
It is strongly advised that you successfully complete your initial Peace Corps interview and reach the nomination stage of the Peace Corps application process before arriving at WSU to begin course work.
Keep in touch with both parties, and keep each party informed of any change in plans.
Want to learn more? Contact MI Coordinator Associate Dean, Pat Sturko.
The program coordinator in the Department of Anthropology is Dr. Marsha Quinlan.