WorldView Guide to Graduate School
The WorldView Guide to Graduate School, produced by the National Peace Corps Association, is an in-depth multimedia experience meant to help RPCVs and others explore the pursuit of a graduate degree from application to admission.
When Peace Corps Volunteers return home from service, graduate school is often the next logical step for career development. An advanced degree, combined with experience gained in the field, is a great way to move one step closer to a job in international affairs, sustainable development, environmental and energy issues, or law and economics.
Why Graduate School?
FEATURE STORY
Next Stop, Grad School
The return from Peace Corps service could just be the perfect time to pursue a graduate degree. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Beatrice Hogan spoke with leaders in higher education who tell you why.
LISTEN
Leveraging the Experience
Dean of the Jackson School of Global Affairs at Yale and an executive of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, James Levinsohn, speaks with WorldView about the benefits of a graduate degree for RPCVs.
Five Reasons RPCVs Make Ideal Graduate Students
1. Practical Experience and Skills
Peace Corps service involves hands-on experience in international settings, dealing with real-world problems in education, health, agriculture, and community development. This practical experience provides a solid foundation for graduate-level coursework and research, allowing volunteers to bring unique perspectives and problem-solving skills to their studies.
2. Cultural Competence
Living and working in different cultural contexts equips Peace Corps Volunteers with cultural sensitivity and adaptability. These skills are essential for careers in international affairs, where understanding and navigating cultural differences can significantly impact the success of projects and policies.
3. Language Proficiency
Many Peace Corps Volunteers return with enhanced language skills, having lived in regions where they had to learn and use the local language. This language proficiency is a valuable asset in international affairs, where communication in multiple languages is often necessary.
4. Networking and Connections
Peace Corps Volunteers have access to a vast network of alumni and professionals who can provide mentorship, career advice, and job placement assistance. Many graduate programs in international affairs have partnerships with the Peace Corps, offering specialized fellowships and scholarships that recognize the value of volunteer service.
5. Strong Sense of Mission and Commitment
Peace Corps Volunteers are driven by a strong sense of mission and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. This dedication aligns well with the goals of international affairs programs, which aim to prepare students for careers that address global challenges and promote social justice.
Program Types
Graduate School Programs for RPCVs
Which one is right for you?
Finding the right program is a critical decision in your journey to graduate school. Below are four broad areas of study Returned Peace Corps Volunteers might be interested in pursuing after their service:
International Affairs
The landscape of international affairs education is rich and varied, with many esteemed institutions offering specialized programs that cater to different interests and career aspirations. Whether a student is drawn to diplomacy, humanitarian work, international development, or global business, there are programs tailored to meet those needs. One significant aspect of these graduate programs is their emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches. International affairs is inherently multifaceted, incorporating insights from political science, economics, history, law, and sociology. Many top programs encourage students to take courses across these disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding of global issues.
Energy and Environment
Peace Corps service often exposes Volunteers to diverse environmental and energy challenges firsthand. RPCVs may have worked on projects ranging from water resource management and renewable energy implementation to sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation strategies. A master's degree builds upon this foundational experience, providing deeper insights into the scientific, policy, and management aspects of environmental issues.
Sustainable Development
RPCVs often work in environments where they must adapt to limited resources, collaborate with diverse communities, and implement grassroots development projects, from health, to education and community services. This hands-on experience is invaluable in the field of sustainable development. Graduate programs in sustainable development provide a structured environment where RPCVs can deepen their understanding of the theoretical frameworks and best practices that underpin their practical experiences.
Law and Economics
These programs provide an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the legal frameworks and economic principles that shape global trade, economic development, international law, management, and international business and finance. They equip RPCVs with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex international environments and contribute effectively to global economic development and policy-making.
Admissions
The Admissions Process
Hot Tips on Getting into Grad School
Transcripts and Documents
The importance of transcripts, resumes, and other documents in graduate school applications cannot be overstated. These materials form the backbone of your application, providing a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements, professional experience, and the unique skills you've developed during your service.
Personal Statement
A personal statement, sometimes called a statement of purpose, is a crucial component of graduate school applications, offering a platform to translate the unique and transformative experiences gained during service into a compelling narrative for admissions committees. Crafting a thoughtful, reflective personal statement can set you apart, making a strong case for your readiness and suitability for your chosen program.
Entrance Exams
Entrance exams can play a significant role in graduate school applications, serving as a critical measure of academic preparedness and potential. While your Peace Corps experience demonstrates invaluable qualities like adaptability, cultural competence, and a commitment to service, entrance exams such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT provide a standardized way for admissions committees to assess your readiness for the rigors of graduate study. Entrance exams are not equally important for all graduate schools or programs. While many traditional graduate programs, particularly in fields like business, law, and the sciences, require entrance exams such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT, the emphasis placed on these scores can vary widely.
Interviews
While your application materials, such as your personal statement and resume, outline your qualifications and experiences, the interview allows you to directly convey the depth of your Peace Corps service and how it has shaped your academic and professional aspirations. This face-to-face or virtual interaction enables you to articulate your commitment to your chosen field, demonstrate your interpersonal skills, and show how your cross-cultural experiences have prepared you for the challenges of graduate study.
References
These testimonials help admissions committees understand the real-world impact of your experiences and how they have prepared you for advanced study. For RPCVs, strong personal references can be especially impactful, as they provide a nuanced perspective that connects your past experiences with your future academic and professional goals, enhancing your overall candidacy.
Partner Schools
WorldView Partners
The following schools have helped make the WorldView Guide to Graduate School possible. These universities have demonstrated over the years their commitment to helping RPCVs continue their work through making graduate school accessible and creating programs especially designed to leverage the Peace Corps experience.
Clark University
Department of Sustainability and Social Justice
Clark University is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1887 with a large endowment from its namesake Jonas Gilman Clark, a prominent businessman, Clark was one of the first modern research universities in the United States.
Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs MPA in Development Practice
The School of International and Public Affairs is the international affairs and public policy school of Columbia University, a private Ivy League university located in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York City.
University of Denver
Josef Korbel School of International Studies
The Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver is a professional school of international affairs offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. It is named in honor of the founding dean, Josef Korbel, father of former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Duke University
Sanford School of Public Policy
The Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University is named after former Duke president and Governor of North Carolina Terry Sanford, who established the university's Institute for Policy Sciences and Public Affairs in 1971 as an interdisciplinary program geared toward training future leaders.
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university in Bloomington, Indiana. It is the flagship campus of Indiana University and its largest campus with over 40,000 students. Established as the state's seminary in 1820, the name was changed to "Indiana College" in 1829 and to "Indiana University" in 1838.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
The mission of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is to improve the health of individuals and diverse communities locally and globally through leadership and excellence in nursing education, research, practice, and service.
Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey
The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey is a graduate school of Middlebury College and training ground for developing and implementing practical solutions. It is home to some of the world’s leading experts in global security, sustainability, development, education, and language services.
Seton Hall University
School of Diplomacy and International Relations
The School of Diplomacy and International Relations is the international affairs school of Seton Hall University, a private Roman Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey.
School for International Training
Graduate Institute
SIT has been educating passionate, social-minded professionals for intercultural and international careers for more than 60 years. SIT is a nonprofit, accredited graduate school with a unique and distinguished history.
University of South Florida
College of Public Health
The University of South Florida's College of Public Health, founded in 1984, is the state's first college of public health. Now, ranked No. 29 in the nation, and ranking highest in public health degree programs offered in Florida, we continue to be home to the best and the brightest. For four decades, students have sought to further their education, research, and practice at USF's College of Public Health—home to the first accredited BSPH degree in the state of Florida and more than 20 graduate degree program concentrations.
Western Illinois University
Institute for Rural Affairs
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) builds the capacity of community leaders and policymakers by providing technical support, applied research, policy evaluation, and training across the state. IIRA is a clearinghouse for information on rural issues, coordinates rural research, and works with state agencies on issues of importance to rural communities.
Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs
The Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs is a professional school of Yale University that specializes in global affairs.
Financing
Weighing the Costs of Graduate School
How not to go broke while pursuing a graduate degree
The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in the number of students pursuing a graduate degree, but also an even steeper increase in the associated costs and related student debt. RPCV Kevin Degnan, CEO of College Aid Pro, explains the dos and don'ts of financing your graduate education.
Five Tips for Finding Funding for Graduate School
RPCVnexus is a new initiative that focuses on helping RPCVs take the next steps in their careers upon return, including the pursuit of a graduate degree. Here are five ways to seek financial assistance before applying to graduate school
1. Choose a school
2. Browse the university and Coverdell Partner Schools databases
3. Network with school professors, administrators, and students
4, Reach out to the school’s dean of assistant dean
5. Fill out your FAFSA form
Peace Corps and Higher Education
A History of Peace Corps on Campus
From John F. Kennedy’s speech on the University of Michigan' campus in 1960 announcing the creation of the Peace Corps to partnerships with hundreds of universities today, Peace Corps' roots lie deep in the heart of campuses of higher education. Below is a timeline of the ways in which the agency has engaged with faculty, students and university leaders over the years to create a strong and vibrant Peace Corps.
1960
JFK Makes an Impromptu Announcement at University of Michigan
Roughly three weeks before the 1960 presidential election, Democratic nominee John F. Kennedy's motorcade approached the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Arriving at the early hour of 2 a.m. on October 14, the candidate was greeted by students densely packed outside the Michigan Union. With no previous plan to make a speech upon arrival, Kennedy decided to take the opportunity to propose a new idea to the welcoming committee of 10,000 students.
Standing in the center of the stone staircase, Kennedy began speaking into a microphone and introduced his concept of a public service project unlike any other before. He asked the crowd who would want to spend their lives traveling the world, working as doctors, engineers, and technicians. This impromptu speech created an enthusiastic crowd and is widely considered the birth of the Peace Corps.
In the following weeks, the movement gained traction, with students signing petitions promising to join, and congressmen and supporters of Kennedy spreading word of his idea.
1961
First Peace Corps Training occurs at UC Berkeley
The first group of Peace Corps Volunteers to go overseas received their training at the University of California Berkeley in 1961. This program was a trailblazer for a legion of other training programs that would happen for PCVs across America. Included in the training was language instruction and cultural studies. It spanned several weeks and set the precedent for Peace Corps training programs nationwide.
1961
Pilot Program at University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame has had a close relationship with the Peace Corps from the beginning that continues to this day. “Everybody knows about the Peace Corps, but relatively few people know that Notre Dame played a pivotal role in the earliest beginning of the program,” writes the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., the former president of Notre Dame and noted civil rights leader. Some credit Hesburgh for working with his former legal secretary, Harris Wofford and friend Sargent Shriver on helping create the pilot program for Peace Corps.
1963
Peace Corps Training Centers
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many U.S. universities hosted Peace Corps training centers, offering specialized preparation for volunteers heading to assignments abroad. These centers provided language instruction, cross-cultural training, technical skills, and general orientation for the regions where volunteers would serve. Some of the earliest schools of higher education that hosted training programs include the University of Michigan; Columbia University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Hawaii, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Michigan State University; University of New Mexico; University of Notre Dame; Cornell University; Southern Illinois University; Howard University; San Francisco State University; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Arizona; Teachers College, Columbia University; University of Florida
1970
Campus Networks
In the 1960s and 1970s, many universities were home to networks of returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) who engaged in outreach, recruitment, and advocacy for international service. These networks often fostered a culture of global citizenship on campuses, influencing curriculum and student activism.
1985
Coverdell Fellows Program Launched to Create Opportunities for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Beginning as a way to engage returned volunteers and find teachers to serve in underrepresented communities, the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program began at Teachers College at Columbia University. The idea was created by professor and returned volunteer Dr Beryl Levinger and signed off by Peace Corps Director Loret Miller Ruppe. After her program volunteering in Columbia, Dr. Levinger completed research with the Institute of International Studies. In the early 1980’s she realized that returned Peace Corps volunteers had sought skills from the New York Board of Education such as sensitivity to cultural differences, and innovative ideas about education. Cooperating with the Peace Corps, Dr. Levinger and a team of colleagues launched the pilot program in New York City public schools in 1985. Since its inception, the Coverdell Fellows program has only expanded and has now spread to more than 120 universities, offering a variety of programs including internships and graduate school tuition assistance.
1987
Peace Corps Masters International Program
Started in 1987, the Peace Corps Masters international program allowed students to incorporate their Peace Corps service into their graduate degrees. Lasting until its discontinuation in 2016, the program allowed students seeking a master's degree across numerous universities the opportunity to receive academic credit for their two-year service abroad. A range of disciplines and fields were represented in this program including engineering, forestry, sociology, economics, and agriculture.
2007
First Peace Corps Prep Program launches at Knox College
Wanting to create a program to prepare undergraduate students for international careers, the Peace Corps cooperated with Knox College in Illinois to start the first Peace Corps Prep program. Signed off by former Peace Corps Deputy Director Jody K. Olsen and Knox College President Roger L. Taylor, the program proved successful. It has now expanded to over 140 universities across 45 states, allowing students to develop intercultural competence through a community focused program.
2011
University of Michigan celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps
Spanning October to November 2011, the University of Michigan hosted a series of events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. The focus of the events included ceremonies on October 14th, exactly 50 years after President John F. Kennedy announced his plans for the Peace Corps while standing on the steps of the Michigan Union. The ceremonies included an audio playing of Kennedy's speech, as well as a number of guest speakers including Jack Hood Vaughn, the second director of the Peace Corps, and former senator Harris Wofford. The event attracted returned Peace Corps volunteers, as well as students and faculty of the University of Michigan.
2024
Peace Corps announces top University list
Over the years, Peace Corps has published an annual list of rankings of the top volunteer-producing colleges, universities and graduate schools. In 2024, it set up categories for large, medium and small universities. The acknowledgment is often used by universities in promotional materials and in other measurements of graduates when it comes to civic engagement and national service.
Fellowship
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program
While there are many scholarships and fellowships available for people who have served in the Peace Corps, none are more beneficial or tailored to RPCV needs than Coverdell Fellowships. The program, founded in 1985, offers financial support specifically for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who want to pursue graduate studies. Roughly 200 schools across the U.S. are participants in the program.
Search the Coverdell Partner Schools database here.
Formerly known as Fellows USA, the Coverdell Fellows Program began in 1985, when the Peace Corps partnered with the Teachers College at Columbia University. The Fellows USA Program quickly expanded to other universities over the next 15 years, before it was renamed, in 2000, after United States Senator Paul D. Coverdell. RPCV and Coverdell Fellowship alumnus Scott King writes about how the program works to benefit Volunteers’ careers through graduate studies.
A Launching Pad
In 1980, Beryl Levinger attended the 20th anniversary celebration of the founding of Peace Corps. There was one thing so many RPCVs said that amazed her, and that was how many said the experience was the greatest thing they'd done in their life and that is was the "peak" of their career. "I thought to myself, this is kind of amazing. To say that you've peaked in your early 20s?" she says in the interview below. "That life from that point forward was downhill? And so I began to think to myself, what can be done so that trajectory could be an upward one. How could we reverse it so that Peace Corps could become a launching pad to greater and greater accomplishment" Thus, the Coverdell program was born.
Further Resources
- Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA)
- Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program
- RPCV Nexus
- Foreign Policy Magazine Global Affairs Careers Through Graduate Education Guide
- U.S. News and World Report Graduate School Entrance Exams
- ETS Graduate Journey Resource Center
- U.S. Fulbright Program
- American Foreign Service Association Fellowships in Foreign Affairs
- Foreign Affairs Graduate School Forum
National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is a mission-driven social impact organization that encourages and celebrates lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals. NPCA supports a united and vibrant Peace Corps community, including current and returned Peace Corps volunteers, current and former staff, host country nationals, family and friends in our efforts to create a better world. NPCA exists to fulfill three specific goals:
Help the Peace Corps be the best it can be
Empower members and affiliate groups to thrive Amplify the Peace Corps community’s global social impact
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