Peace Corps Fellows
Qualified Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) bring their world experience to campus and receive a scholarship and guaranteed internship.
Academic Programs
In today's job market, many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) find they need an advanced degree to supplement the field-based experience they received in Peace Corps. Fellows may earn a master's degree in the fields of international development, human rights, conflict resolution, environmental policy, sustainable development, international trade, international business, or language teaching. The following degree programs are offered to Peace Corps Fellows:
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- MA in International Environmental Policy
- MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- MA in International Policy Studies
- MA in International Education Management
- Joint MPA/International Education Management
- Joint MBA/International Environmental Policy
Scholarships Available to Peace Corps Fellows
Peace Corps Fellows at the Monterey Institute are guaranteed a minimum annual scholarship of $12,000, which is renewable for second year of study. The Fellows scholarship will replace any merit scholarship previously awarded by the Monterey Institute.
Internship Opportunities for Peace Corps Fellows
Peace Corps Fellows are also guaranteed professional internship through the support from the Center for Advising and Career Services at the Monterey Institute. As a school dedicated to service, the Monterey Institute has partnered with over 40 local organizations. These local partnerships allow Fellows to integrate a professional internship into their degree, enhancing their academic experience while serving the community. Some examples of local internships past Peace Corps Fellows have pursued include:
- Loaves, Fishes, and Computers - Program Evaluation internship
- Community Alliance for Safety and Peace - Conflict Resolution internship
- Imagination Coast -Sustainable Economic Development internship
- Live Earth Farm Discovery - Education Coordinator internship
- Salinas School District - Teaching Assistant internship
Campus Life
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers find themselves at home on the diverse Monterey Institute campus, where Peace Corps experience is highly valued. Returned volunteers may even discover that a classmate hails from the country of their Peace Corps service. RPCVs join the Peace Corps Club and are active in the local community. Many Monterey Institute faculty and staff are RPCVs, including the founder of the Fellows program, Dr. Beryl Levinger.
Eligibility Requirements
All RPCVs who have satisfactorily completed their service have lifetime eligibility. Satisfactory completion indicates that the volunteer completed the service through one of the following:
- Completed the full two-year tour of Peace Corps service, or the full tour minus up to 90 days if returned home on an emergency leave.
- Granted "Early Close of Service" or "Interrupted Service" status due to circumstances beyond volunteer's control.
- Medically separated as a Volunteer.
Application and Selection Process
The Fellows program is a competitive award with a limited number of scholarships available to qualified RPCVs. Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions cycle. Candidates may apply between December 1 and March 1 for fall admission and by October 1 for spring admission by completing the Monterey Institute application. To be considered for the Fellows program, there are two requirements in addition to the program requirements:
- In Statement of Purpose, candidate must express desire to be part of the Fellows program.
- Candidate must submit Peace Corps Description of Service (DOS).
The selection process for the Fellows program is separate from admission to a Monterey Institute degree program. The candidate will be notified separately if selected for the Fellows program, after the application period is closed.
Application fee waivers are available to RPCVs. However, these waivers can only be granted when using our paper application.
Please contact the Director of Recruiting, Devin Lueddeke, for more information.
