Illinois State Among Top Peace Corps Program Partners

Of the more than 60 schools that participate in the Peace Corps' unique Master's International (MI) graduate program, Illinois State University ranks sixth in the nation among colleges and universities partnering with the Peace Corps, according to the Peace Corps' annual graduate school program rankings.  The MI program allows students to combine graduate studies with two years of international Peace Corps service.

Illinois State has ten Master's International graduate students currently serving in the Peace Corps in different locations around the world including Ethiopia, Ukraine and South Africa.  There are also a number of MI students on campus fulfilling the academic portion of their degrees.  Illinois State is the only university in the state to offer both the Peace Corps Master's International program and the Peace Corps Fellows/USA program, open to Peace Corps volunteers who have completed their service.

Illinois State's MI program has been in place since 1997 and is housed within the University's Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development.  Twenty-nine graduate students have completed the program, which has sequences in applied economics, political science and sociology.  

Fifty-two students have earned degrees through Illinois State's Peace Corps Fellows/USA partner program, now in its 15th year.  Six returned Peace Corps volunteers are currently enrolled in the program which integrates graduate school with community service. Students serve in internships that help meet the needs of underserved American communities. 

For more information on Illinois State's Peace Corps Master's International and Peace Corps Fellows/USA programs contact the Stevenson Center at (309) 438-7090.  For more information on the Peace Corps' graduate school rankings contact Casey Lowman in the Peace Corps' Chicago regional office at (312) 353-3406 or clowman@peacecorps.gov