Peace Corps Master's International Environmental Policy

The pre-service training provided on campus in Monterey integrates linguistic and cultural competencies with solid skills in environmental policy and communication. Participants then embark on a Peace Corps assignment working in the areas of natural resource conservation or environmental education. In these assignments, students will carry out the Peace Corps mission and prepare for leadership roles in a broad range of organizations upon completion of their service and MAIEP degree studies.

The PCMI MAIEP is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to become effective contributors to environmental education or resource conservation efforts during their Peace Corps service by developing the ability to:

• Understand the Conservation Project Cycle
• Conduct a Project Needs Assessment
• Develop a Conservation Project Management Plan
• Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan
• Develop and manage environmental education projects and activities to a variety of audiences
• Develop economic tools and strategies for sustainable livelihoods

These abilities and skills are developed through core coursework in policy analysis, research strategies, quantitative methods, environmental and natural resource economics, international environmental law and politics, natural science foundations, and additional electives. The program prepares students with the interdisciplinary skills needed to craft effective policy solutions and to work with community-based organizations on environmental challenges.

The Program

The PCMI International Environmental Policy program is available to students beginning their study in either the Fall or Spring semester. Students enroll for at least two semesters on campus and complete core IEP classes, focused environmental electives, and second language study before proceeding to their 27 months of Peace Corps service.

The Peace Corps Assignment Volunteers work with local communities and organizations to protect the environment through various projects addressing needs such as alternative energy sources, water supply, forest conservation, wildlife protection, or park management. An assignment may include establishing a conservation plan for a local natural resource, or creating an educational curriculum to tackle an environmental challenge at the community level.

The Monterey Institute will work with the student and the Peace Corps to ensure that the assignment supports the degree studies and the mission of the Peace Corps. During their Peace Corps service, students maintain contact with Monterey Institute faculty for advising on projects and research.

Language Requirement

In addition to the admission requirement, there is an Advanced Language degree requirement of 12 credits. PCMI students will take at least 8 credits of advanced language prior to their Peace Corps assignment. The remaining 4 credits may be fulfilled by successfully completing the Peace Corps assignment and taking the exit language test that Peace Corps offers with the score of ‘Advanced Low’ ( or better). Students meeting the 4 credit language requirement through their Peace Corps service will be able to replace the required language course with 4 credits of electives to reach the 60 credit hours required for their degree completion. Students placed in an English-speaking country are still required to meet the Advanced Language requirement of 12 credits prior to graduation. Students applying to the PCMI IEP program are still required to have at least two years of university-level language study (one year for Arabic) before entering the program. PCMI MPA students are encouraged to work with the language studies program at the beginning of the degree program to ensure that requirements are met.

Scholarship

Returned PCMI MAIEP students are guaranteed a half-tuition scholarship for their final semester of study. The scholarship is dependent upon successful completion of the Peace Corps assignment. Students may also apply for merit scholarships and financial aid for their studies at the Monterey Institute prior to Peace Corps service.

Application Process

Students apply to the Monterey Institute and to the Peace Corps separately yet simultaneously and must be accepted by both institutions. Students may apply to the Monterey Institute online. Admission to the Monterey Institute MAIEP program requires a four-year US bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), with a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent), including a minimum of two years of university-level language instruction. Also required are official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a résumé or curriculum vitae, and application fee. Applicants to the PCMI program should visit the Peace Corps website to verify application procedures. It is recommended that students begin the Peace Corps application process several months in advance as it usually takes more time than applying to the Monterey Institute.