Peace Corps Prep Program

Program Requirements

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The University of South Florida (USF) is a globally focused public research institution dedicated to student success. The University's mission is to deliver competitive undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, to generate knowledge, foster intellectual development, and ensure student success in a global environment. The Peace Corps Prep Program aligns with the strategic goals of the university and our efforts to provide students with high-quality global experiences—on all of our campuses and across the world. The Peace Corps Prep program will enrich USF students' educational environment, provide valuable work-force skills, and inspire students to choose Peace Corps service.

PEACE CORPS PREP OVERVIEW

The Peace Corps Prep (PC Prep) program will prepare you for volunteer service globally requirements and potential Peace Corps service. To accomplish this, you'll build four core competencies through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience, and professional development support. These four requirements are the following:

  1. Training and Experience in a Work Sector
  2. Foreign Language Skills
  3. Intercultural Competence
  4. Professional and Leadership Development

The Peace Corps Prep Student Guide explains each of these requirements in detail. Use this guide to map out your Peace Corps Prep course of study. When completing the PC Prep application on Canvas, refer to the Student Guide to document how you plan to fulfill each requirement. This guide aligns point-by-point with each section of the application. Be sure to read all of it before you begin your journey.

1. Training and Experience in a Specific Work Sector

For the PC Prep, you need to complete at least 3 courses that align with a specific work sector (they can but do not need to come from your academic major or minor). You also must accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity. There are six sectors in which Peace Corps Volunteers serve—detailed below by clicking on each of graphic.

Choose one sector to focus on then complete at least 3 courses + 50 hours of related experience in that sector.

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

HEALTH

HEALTH

ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT

AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE

YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT

YOUTH IN
DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

2. Foreign Language Skills

Working across cultures often entails verbal and nonverbal languages distinct from your own. Building foreign language skills is thus a second key component of the PC Prep curriculum.

Latin America: Students indicating an intention to serve in most Spanish-speaking countries must establish elementary proficiency, having completed two 100-level courses or learned Spanish through another medium.

West Africa: Students indicating an intention to serve in French-speaking African countries, would benefit from a profieciency in French or another Romance language.

Everywhere else: The Peace Corps has no explicit language requirements for individuals applying to serve in most other countries. However, you will still likely learn and utilize another language during service, so it is only helpful to have taken at least one foreign language class.

Note: If you are a strong native speaker and hope to serve in a country that speaks your same language, you can skip this requirement! Be sure to include it on your application and resume.

For information about all the language courses offered at USF, review the Department of World Languages Undergraduate Programs.

3. Intercultural Competence

Engaging thoughtfully and fluidly across cultures begins with one's own self-awareness. With this learning objective, you will deepen your cultural agility through a mix of globally focused courses, activities, and/or experiences. The goal is for you to build your capacity to shift perspective and behavior around relevant cultural differences.

  1. Courses:
    Three self-reflective courses focused on global perspectives. There are globally certified courses offered by USF in colleges. Check out the USF Peace Corps Prep Student Guide for specific courses, or contact your Peace Corps Prep Coordination to learn how to identify them!
    1. One course
    2. Two electives

  2. Prolonged intercultural experiences in place of one or both electives:
    1. Studying, volunteering, and/or teaching abroad or in the United States (including U.S. territories)
    2. Participating in and completing the Global Citizens Project 

4. Professional and Leadership Development

Peace Corps service and similar global volunteer service opportunities are highly professional and selective. PC Prep requires three specific activities that will strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps (or any other professional endeavor):

  1. Resume review session with USF's Center for Career and Professional Development or the Peace Corps Recruiter

  2. Interview prep session with USF’s Center for Career and Professional Development or
    the Peace Corps Recruiter

  3. Develop at least one significant leadership experience and be prepared to discuss it
    thoughtfully and professionally, especially in an interview setting.
    1. For example, organizing a campus event, leading a work or volunteer project, or
      serving on the executive board of a student organiztion.

The benefits of completing the Peace Corps Prep Program

  • Developing your skills and knowledge through various coursework that builds upon your global competence and sector-specific interests, with hands-on experiences, and support from career services, advising, and other institutional departments.

  • When you complete the PC Prep Program, you receive a Certificate of Completion from Peace Corps, and a notation on your USF transcripts.

  • With the successful completion of the PC Prep Program, you will be more competitive for job applications and your future career.

Peace Corps Resources

Disclaimer - Please Note: Enrolling in Peace Corps Prep won't guarantee selection into Peace Corps, but will strengthen your candidacy for applying to Peace Corps and add intrinsic value to your resume for other job opportunities.

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