Peace Corps Master's International MBA

The Monterey Institute of International Studies and the United States Peace Corps collaborate to offer the Master's International (PCMI) MBA program, combining an MBA degree and practical, applicable professional experience. This dynamic program provides academic training in preparation for two-year, hands-on Peace Corps service, where students apply the theoretical knowledge from the classroom to real-life business development projects. PCMI volunteers work in a variety of fields, such as business consulting, NGO development, small enterprise development, community development, educational consulting, privatization and others. They hone their skills while gaining valuable experience that translates into rewarding careers upon graduation.

Since the program's inception in 1994, PCMI MBA students have served in Armenia, Bolivia, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Nicaragua, Panama, Togo, and Ukraine. They have worked on projects such as ecotourism, microenterprise development, microcredit financing, textile and creative arts marketing, municipal government capacity building, and business education. Specific examples of actual projects include:

• Bolivia: Developed a governing organization on development and tourism for the 3,000 inhabitants of Islands of the Sun and the Moon.
• Nicaragua: Created and developed an Informational Technological Library.
• Turkmenistan: Improved operational efficiency and increased profitability of educational center; designed expansion plan to offer business seminars to local and regional communities.
• Togo: Ran a radio program discussing business topics.
• Costa Rica: Developed a pilot recycling project for local municipal government, La Fortuna de San Carlos.

The PCMI Program

The PCMI program is available to students in both the Two-Year and the Advanced Entry MBA programs. Students may begin their MBA study in either the Fall or Spring semester, but Advanced Entry MBA students are encouraged to start in Spring semester.

Two-Year Peace Corps Master's International MBA Program

Students in the Two-Year PCMI MBA program enroll for three semesters on campus and complete core business classes, focused electives, and a team-based international business plan. Students then proceed to their 27 months of service in the Peace Corps. Upon completion of service, students return to the Monterey Institute for one final semester, either in Fall or Spring.

Advanced Entry Peace Corps Master's International MBA Program

Students meeting the requirements for Advanced Entry MBA program enroll for two semesters on campus and complete core business courses, focused electives and the team-based International Business Plan. They then proceed to Peace Corps for 27 months of service and return to the Institute for one final semester of study in Fall or Spring. For more information on Advanced Entry prerequisite requirements please visit the Advanced Entry pages of the website or contact by email or 831-647-6586.

The Business Development Project

During their Peace Corps service, students maintain contact with a faculty advisor as they conduct research and gather information for a Business Development Project related to their Peace Corps assignment. The project is then completed as a three-credit course upon their return to the Institute during the final semester of study. Recent projects have included women's and refugees' development issues in African Nations, foreign direct investment disparities in Estonia, and small business development in the aftermath of armed political conflict in Nicaragua.

Returning for your Final Semester

Regardless of the initial start date, Peace Corps returnees may complete their final semester in either the Fall or Spring. PCMI students meet the degree program language requirements through the Peace Corps language training and daily usage of the language during Peace Corps service. Students replace the required language courses in the MBA program with electives in order to reach the credit hours required for graduation. Students applying to the PCMI MBA program are still required to have at least 2 years of university-level language study before entering the program.

Scholarship

Returned PCMI MBA 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

The PCMI program is available to students in both the Two-Year and the Advanced Entry MBA program. Students apply to the Monterey Institute and the Peace Corps separately and simultaneously and must be accepted by both institutions. Students may apply to the Monterey Institute online.  Applicants to the PCMI program should first verify application procedures. It is recommended that you begin the Peace Corps application process several months in advance as it usually takes more time than applying to the Monterey Institute.

Further Information

Visit the Peace Corps website for further information . For more information about the Monterey Institute's PCMI MBA program contact Toni Thomas, Assistant Dean and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Costa Rica '95-'97), at 831-647-4193 or by email.