Being a Peace Corps Volunteer is a life-defining leadership experience that will not only change your life and the lives of those around the world, but will also jumpstart your career. Peace Corps Prep can help you get there.
The University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP) is proudly partnering with the Peace Corps to offer a customizable two-year certificate program called Peace Corps Prep (PC Prep) that lets you master skills you will need to professionally succeed. The program is for undergraduate students and encourages you to take courses that could also meet your degree requirements. It is comprised of selected courses paired with community service designed to prepare you for global citizenship and volunteer service internationally, potentially with the Peace Corps.
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Who should apply?
If you want to jumpstart your public service career, apply to graduate school, or apply to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, this program is for you! Students who have studied abroad or plan to in the future should also consider participating. All UNC Pembroke students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in Peace Corps Prep:
- Hold U.S. citizenship;
- Currently enrolled in a UNC Pembroke undergraduate program (no restrictions based on school or major);
- Have completed at least 30 hours of academic credit at UNC Pembroke; and,
- Possess a 2.7 or higher cumulative GPA.
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How do I apply?
Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply to the UNCP PC Prep program by doing the following:
- Meet with the PCP Campus Coordinator to review the program, its requirements, and the application process.
- Review and complete the Peace Corps Prep Application and obtain all required signatures, including signatures from the student, faculty advisor and Peace Corp Prep (PCP) Campus Coordinator.
- Submit your application for review and approval by the PC Prep Committee along with an initial draft of your course of study, identifying all of the classes and extracurricular activities you plan to undertake in fulfillment of program requirements.
- The Campus Coordinator will notify you regarding your application status, or if revisions need to be made to the application. In instances of the latter, feedback will be provided to assist with revisions and resubmissions.
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How do I complete the program?
Students pursuing the Peace Corps Prep certificate need to demonstrate proficiency in the following:
- Training and experience in a specific work sector (3 courses + 50 hours of related experience);
- Foreign language skills (requirements vary by language);
- Intercultural competence (a combination of courses and experience); and,
- Professional and leadership development (resume review + interview prep + leadership experience).
For a list of recommended courses and full program details, consult the Peace Corps Prep Student Guide.
Peace Corps Prep Campus Coordinator
Tamala Lewis
Associate Director for Experiential Learning