Program components fall under two categories: 1) general and 2) institutional. General program activities are required by the U.S. Peace Corps of every participating institution. Institutional requirements are specific to the university or college where the program is operating. All program requirements must be met prior to graduation before OIPS will recommend a student for receipt of the program certificate that will be signed by the U.S. Peace Corps Director. 

General Program Components

• Evidence of coursework in student’s major that align with at least one Peace Corps thematic priority;
• 50 hours of volunteer or work experience that align with the student’s major or thematic priority;
• Evidence of coursework in the area of intercultural competence;
• Participation in an Office of Career Services interview or career readiness orientation session, including the review and critique of the student’s resume;
• Demonstration of at least one significant leadership campus experience; and
• Evidence of foreign language coursework (for students interested in a Peace Corps Volunteer assignment in selected countries/regions)

UAPB Program Components

• Attendance at Peace Corps Prep Cohort Meetings when called, generally two times a year
• Membership and participation in the UAPB Collegiate 4-H Club, which is a part of a national and international network of youth organizations
• Advisement by at least one program mentor on internship, volunteer service or academic and career goals 
• Participation in asset-based community development training program

Other unique features of the UAPB Peace Corps Prep Program include:

• Annual Thanksgiving Assembly. Peace Corps recruiters and Peace Corps Prep members raise awareness of global service focused on hunger and food security issues.
• We Are Changemakers Annual Student Assembly. This event celebrates UAPB alumni who are changemakers, including returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs).  
• Program Cohorts. Peace Corps Prep participants are assigned to a cohort of students based on the year in which they are accepted into the program.  
• Program Mentors. Program mentors are RPCVs reflecting volunteer participation across generations and thematic sectors. This group will complement the role of Peace Corps Recruiters (PCRs) and assist OIPS staff with the design and implementation of professional development activities.
• UAPB Collegiate 4-H Club. Peace Corps Prep participants are required to join the UAPB Collegiate 4-H Club. This service-oriented club provides volunteer opportunities across the different thematic sectors. Because the 4-H Club is part of a national and international network of youth organizations, membership may lead to broader exposure and engagement. For example, a PCPP participant was selected to attend the annual national rural summit for youth.  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a postponement of this event. Membership in 4-H also facilitates completion of volunteer and leadership development requirements. For additional information, see https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/collegiate-4-h-program.
• Asset-Based Community Development Training. Through cohort training sessions, all participants are exposed to the basic principles and methodologies of asset-based community development (ABCD). They are encouraged to conduct a participatory ABCD exercise as a component of their 50 hours of volunteer or work experience. Students who complete the training sessions and/or participatory exercise receive certificates of completion from OIPS
• Education Abroad. PCPP participants are encouraged to participate in an education abroad experience, preferably one involving an internship or service-learning component. The overseas experience facilitates completion of the volunteer/work experience and foreign language requirements. Of the participants who successfully completed their exit interview, all of them participated in an education abroad experience. Two of these students participated in Chinese and Spanish intensive language programs. We strongly believe that study abroad is a motivating factor in successful program completion.

Other Student Requirements

The Peace Corps Prep Program is limited to undergraduate students. However, international students as well as U.S. citizens are welcome to participate in this program. Please note that the U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer program is limited to U.S. citizens.

Importance of the Advisement Process

Peace Corps Prep Mentors are drawn from all walks of life, some of whom are based on campus and others based in government, education, private sector and civil society sectors. Students are highly encouraged to draw upon mentors’ wealth of experience in globally-focused careers.

• Student Interest Form
• UAPB Collegiate 4-H Membership Form
• Collegiate 4-H Programs Overview
• Peace Corps Prep Application
• Peace Corps Prep Student Guide
• Peace Corps Prep Release Form
• Peace Corps Prep Exit Interview Form

• U.S. Peace Corps
• About Peace Corps Prep
• Peace Corps Prep Step-by-Step Video
• Peace Corps Prep Member-Recruiter Connection
• UAPB 4-H/Youth Development
• National Collegiate 4-H Program
• National 4-H Organization
• About Asset-Based Community Development

Apply Now for UAPB Peace Corps Prep (PDF instructions)

Pamela D. Moore, JD, MPP, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Global Engagement
Program Coordinator
Office phone: (870) 575-8545
moorep@uapb.edu
Office of International Programs and Studies

Teki Hunt, M.Ed. (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer)
Program Co-Coordinator / Director of 4-H Youth Development Program
Office phone: (870) 575-8538
huntjimenezt@uapb.edu
4-H Youth Development

Ta’Yanna Dandridge
Senior Research/Program Assistant
Office phone: (870) 575-8180
dandridget@uapb.edu
Office of International Programs and Studies

James Forte
Senior Program Advisor
Mobile phone: (601) 906-9919
James.Forte@teachforamerica.org
Peace Corps Prep Advisory Council