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Stevenson Center

Peace Corps Prep at Illinois State University

Ready to make the most of your world? The Peace Corps Prep Program is your next step.

Why join Peace Corps Prep?

  • Illinois State has a strong partnership with Peace Corps, dating back to 1994 with the launch of the first Coverdell Fellows master’s program in community and economic development. Prior to the Peace Corps decision to end its Master’s International program in 2016, Illinois State regularly ranked in the national Top Ten of colleges and universities partnering with the Peace Corps. Since the founding of Peace Corps in 1961, more than 555 Illinois State alumni have served with Peace Corps!
  • Illinois State offers the classes and experiences to prepare you for Peace Corps in ANY of the six sectors of service. The program is open to students in any major and encourages you to maximize your time at Illinois State by engaging with your community and thinking globally. Peace Corps Prep students can interact with returned Peace Corps Volunteers and those currently serving through the Stevenson Center graduate programs around the world.
  • The core components of the Peace Corps Prep Program are meaningful preparation not only for service in Peace Corps but also for employment generally, whether in the U.S. or abroad. As part of the Peace Corps Prep Program, you can combine classes with field experiences, develop intercultural competence, take on a leadership role, prepare to interview, and refine your resume. You demonstrate the initiative to develop the skills and attributes to launch your career.

Why join the Peace Corps after graduation?

  • The three-fold mission of Peace Corps is to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  • The benefits of Peace Corps are many! Peace Corps is a great way to launch a career.

Where do you want to serve? How do you want to make an impact? Explore the Peace Corps interactive placement portal, and connect with a recruiter.

Get started

Start your application! Then, attend an orientation session, submit your plan, track your progress toward program goals, connect with your peers, and document your completion.

NOTE: Peace Corps Prep won’t guarantee acceptance into Peace Corps, but it will strengthen your candidacy. Peace Corps will provide you with a Certificate of Completion that you can highlight on your resume.

Not sure about Peace Corps? You might consider an AmeriCorps program instead. At least a year of relevant work or service will qualify you for the Stevenson Center’s Fellows programs—earn an applied, interdisciplinary master’s degree with paid experience and a 100% tuition waiver!

If you have questions not addressed on this website, please contact pcprep@illinoisstate.edu.