Peace Corp Prep Core Competencies
As you work through your Earlham graduation requirements, you’ll build four core competencies through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience and professional development support.
- Training and experience in a specific work sector
- Foreign language skills
- Intercultural competence
- Professional and leadership development
The information below will assist you in mapping out your Peace Corps Prep course of study as well as in completing your Peace Corps Prep application, where you’ll need to document how you plan to fulfill each requirement.
Training and experience in a specific work sector
Leveraging concrete knowledge and skills is central to on-the-ground international development work. Through Earlham’s Peace Corps Prep program, you will build a professional specialty, which should serve your career well, whether or not you become a Peace Corps volunteer.
For Peace Corps Prep, you need to:
- Choose one of the six sectors (detailed below) on which to focus.
- Complete at least 3 courses that align with a specific work sector (they can, but do not need to, come from your academic major or minor).
- Accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.
If you intend to apply to the Peace Corps, the best way to assure that you will be a strong candidate is to explore Peace Corps openings, and identify the type of assignments in which you’d like to serve, then review the position’s required and desired qualifications and build them up accordingly. In the process, you should fulfill these PC Prep experiential requirements.
Note: Actual Peace Corps assignments are based on local needs, and thus may or may not align seamlessly with your qualifications. Flexibility is central to the Peace Corps experience.
Teach lessons that last a lifetime. Education is the Peace Corps’ largest program area. Volunteers play an important role in creating links among schools, parents and communities by working in elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools as math, science, conversational English and resource teachers or as early grade reading and literacy teacher trainers. Volunteers also develop libraries and technology resource centers.
If you choose Education, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Earth and environmental science
- Education
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Outdoor Education
- Physics
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Education sector):
-
- BIOL 111 Ecological Biology
- BIOL 112 Cells, Genes and Inheritance
- BIOL/CHEM 251 Introduction to Nutrition Science
- BIOL 350 Field Botany
- BIOL 357 Animal Behavior
- CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis
- CS 345 Software Engineering
- CS 410 Networks and Networking
- EDUC 221 Outdoor Trip Leadership
- EDUC 120 Foundations of Education
- EDUC 311 Wilderness First Responder
- ENG 203 Women in Literature
- ENG 204 African-American Literature
- ENG 353 Topics in Peace and Justice
- GEOL 113 Climates Future, Climates Past
- GEOL 314 Interpreting Earth History
- HIST 232 African History Since 1880
- HIST 246 European Women’s and Gender History
- HIST 324 Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
- HIST 369 African American History Since Emancipation
- MATH 140 Diversity of the World’s Mathematics
- MATH 300 Statistics
- PHYS 107 Physics for Future Presidents
- PHYS 345 Modern Physics
- TESO 344 Studies in Language Learning and Teaching
- TESO 348 Sociolinguistics
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Teach in one of these or a similar form:
- in a classroom
- with a community outreach organization
- in a formal tutoring capacity
- The subject of your teaching may be
- English as a foreign/second language
- Special education
- Drama
- STEM subject
- Teach in one of these or a similar form:
For example, field experience can be gained through any of the following volunteer opportunities.
-
- Amigos Richmond Latino Center
- Birth to Five
- Boy Scouts of America, Crossroads of America Council
- Boys and Girl Clubs of Wayne County
- Community Action of East Central Indiana Head Start
- Early Learning and Family Literacy Center
- Excel Center
- Girls Inc.
- Hayes Arboretum
- Joseph Moore Museum
- Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana Inc.
- Literacy Connections of Wayne County
- Local elementary, middle and high schools
- Morrisson-Reeves Library
- Richmond Adult Education Center
- Richmond Art Museum
- Townsend Community Center
- United Way
- Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center Inc.
Please note: Check with career coaches in the Center for Career Education for more options.
Serve on the front lines of global health. Health volunteers work within their communities to promote important topics such as nutrition, maternal and child health, basic hygiene and water sanitation.
Volunteers also work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs to train youth as peer educators, develop appropriate education strategies, provide support to children orphaned by the pandemic, and create programs that provide emotional and financial support to families and communities affected by the disease.
If you choose Health, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Health sector):
-
- BIOL 112 Cells, Genes and Inheritance
- BIOL 200 Epidemiology
- BIOL 251 Introduction to Nutrition Science
- BIOL 341 Cell Physiology
- BIOL 343 Immunology
- BIOL 382 Viral Disease Ecology
- BIOL 461 Microbiology
- BIOL 462 Parasitology
- CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry
- CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis
- CHEM 371 Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
- EDUC 101 Public Health
- PHIL 363 Bioethics
- PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society
- PSYC 374 Intro to Counseling Skills
- PSYC 220 Adult Psychopathology
- PSYC 376 Health Psychology
- SOAN 333 Medical Anthropology and Global Health
- SOAN 335 Health, Medicine and Society
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Volunteer or work experience in such areas as HIV/AIDS outreach, hospice, family planning counseling, emergency medical technician (EMT) or CPR teaching/certification, maternal health, and hands-on caregiving in a hospital, clinic or lab technician setting
- Counseling or teaching in health subjects
- Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory, as a peer nutritionist or as a sexually transmitted infections counselor
- Significant experience in mechanical repairs, construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hydrology or set design
Volunteer and internship opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:
-
-
- Achieva Resources
- Animal Care Alliance
- Area 9 In-Home and Community Services Agency
- AseraCare Hospice
- Birth-to-Five, Inc
- Cutting Edge Physical Therapy
- Fairbanks School of Public Health
- Friends Fellowship
- Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Care of Richmond
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research
- Jacy House
- Premier Hospice and Palliative Care
- Reid Health
- Solstreme
- Stark Neuroscience Research Institute
- Sunrise, Inc. Therapeutic Riding for the Handicapped
- Wayne County Health
- Wayne County WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program
- Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center, Inc.
- Whitewater Eye Center
-
Help forge a global movement to protect our planet. Volunteers lead grassroots efforts in their communities to protect the environment and strengthen understanding of environmental issues. They teach environmental awareness in elementary and secondary schools and to youth groups and community organizations, empowering communities to make their own decisions about how to protect and conserve the local environment.
Volunteers also address environmental degradation by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
If you choose Environment, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Environment sector):
-
- BIOL 111 Ecological Biology
- BIOL 226 Biological Diversity
- BIOL 348 Ornithology
- BIOL 350 Field Botany
- BIOL 352 Invertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 357 Animal Behavior
- BIOL 360 Conservation Biology
- BIOL 362 Biology of Insects
- BIOL 455 Population and Community Ecology
- CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry
- CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 331 Equilibrium and Analysis
- CHEM 371 Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
- ENSU 141 Environment, Society and Sustainability
- ENSU 151 Environment, Science and Sustainability
- ENSU 341 Climate Change Adaptation
- ENSU 353 Environmental Applications
- GEOL 201 Earth & the Environment (or any GEOL 200-level with lab)
- GEOL 316 Geochemistry & Environmental Change
- GEOL 430 Ground & Surface Water and Hydrology
- GEOL 431 Soils & Sustainable Agriculture
- GEOL 432 Climate Systems
- MUSE 215 Engaging Audiences with Outreach and Interpretation
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns
- Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals
- Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping
- Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management
Examples include, but are not limited to the following volunteer and internship opportunities:
-
- Cardinal Greenway
- Cope Environmental Center: Summer Health and Literacy Coordinator Intern
- Earlham Student Sustainability Corps
- Hayes Arboretum
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves—Site Conservation Planning Intern
- Joseph Moore Museum of Science and Nature
- Miller Farm
- Nature Conservancy—Presence Profile Intern
- Northern Alaska Environmental Center: Outreach Intern
- Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc: Environmental Summer Intern
Lead grassroots efforts to fight hunger in a changing world. Agricultural volunteers work with small-scale farmers and families to increase food security and production and adapt to climate change while promoting environmental conservation practices.
They introduce farmers to techniques that prevent soil erosion, reduce the use of harmful pesticides, and replenish the soil. They work alongside farmers on integrated projects that often combine vegetable gardening, livestock management, agroforestry and nutrition education.
If you choose Agriculture, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Agriculture sector):
-
- BIOL 111 Ecological Biology
- BIOL 112 Cells, Genes, and Inheritance
- BIOL 226 Biological Diversity
- BIOL 362 Biology of Insects
- BIOL 410 Applications of GIS
- BUS 313 Social Entrepreneurship
- BUS 353 Transportation and Logistics
- BUS 306 Enovation Lab
- ECON 341 Labor Economics
- ECON 342 Economic Development
- ECON 343 Economics of the Environment
- ENSU 151 Environment, Science and Sustainability
- ENSU 341 Climate Change Adaptation
- ENSU 353 Environmental Applications
- GEOL 201 Earth and Environment
- GEOL 316 Geochemistry and Environmental Change
- GEOL 430 Ground & Surface Water and Hydrology
- GEOL 431 Soils & Sustainable Agriculture
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Working with a large-scale or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, landscaping, livestock care and management, or fish cultivation and production
- Teaching or tutoring the public in environmental or agricultural issues/activities
- Working on the business management or marketing side of a commercial farm
Examples include, but are not limited to the following volunteer opportunities:
-
-
- Cardinal Greenway
- City of Richmond, Parks & Rec Department
- Cope Environmental Center
- Earlham Student Sustainability Corps
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hayes Arboretum
- Joseph Moore Natural History Museum
- Miller Farm
- United Way
-
Empower the next generation of change makers. Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, sporting programs and information technology.
If you choose Youth in Development, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
- Business
- Peace and global studies
- Psychology
- Public policy
- Social services
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Women’s, gender & sexuality studies
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Youth in Development sector):
- ENSU 141 Environment, Society and Sustainability
- ENSU 343 Economics of the Environment
- ENSU 370 Psychology of Sustainability
- MGMT 334 Strategic Analysis and Action
- MGMT 342 Leadership and Dealing with Differences
- MGMT 361 Social Media and Marketing
- PAGS 333 Medical Anthropology and Global Health
- PAGS 374 Methods of Peacemaking
- PAGS 343 Conflict Resolution
- PSYC 116 Behavior, Health Care and Society
- PSYC 230 Human Development
- PSYC 364 Psychology of Women
- PSYC 372 Psychology of Sports
- PSYC 373 Moral Education
- PSYC 376 Health Psychology
- SOAN 120 Media and Communications
- SOAN 215 Identity for Social Change
- SOAN 335 Health, Medicine and Society
- THEA 387 Theatre for Social Change
- WGSS 365 Women, Gender and Sexuality
- WGSS 368 Human Sexuality
- WGSS 375 Feminist Theories
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs.
- Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling and leadership in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business.
Examples include, but are not limited to the following Earlham facilitated volunteer opportunities:
-
-
- Amigos Richmond Latino Center
- Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County
- Cope Environmental Center
- Future Achievers
- Girls, Inc.
- Natco Community Empowerment Center
- Rotary Club
- Urban Enterprise Association of Richmond
- Wayne County Health Clinic
-
Harness 21st-century tools to help communities lift themselves. Volunteers work with development banks, non-governmental organizations and municipalities to strengthen infrastructure and encourage economic opportunities in communities.
They frequently teach in classroom settings and work with entrepreneurs and business owners to develop and market their products. Some volunteers also teach basic computer skills and help communities take advantage of technologies such as e-commerce, distance learning and more.
If you choose Community Economic Development, take 3 courses from ONE of the following areas:
Suggested courses (courses in any of the majors listed above can count for Peace Corps Prep work in the Community Economic Development sector):
-
- AAAS 330 Criminal Justice and Moral Vision
- BIOL 410 Applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- BUS 200 Financial Accounting
- BUS 354 Entrepreneurial Marketing
- BUS 310 Marketing Strategy
- BUS 315 Introduction to International Business
- BUS 355 Transportation and Logistics
- BUS 361 Social Media and Marketing
- BUS 368 Business Communication
- BUS 342 Leadership and Dealing with Differences
- CS 266 Computing Skills
- CS 256 Data Structures
- CS 370 Computer Graphics
- CS 410 Networks and Networking
- ECON 305 Econometrics
- ECON 342 Economic Development
- ECON 343 Economics of the Environment
- ECON 345 Urban Political Economy
- MGMT 313 Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
- POLS 242 Intermediate Public Policy
- POLS 327 Urban Politics, Policy, and Sustainability
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
-
- Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, micro-finance, management, project management, budgeting or marketing
- Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity
- Training others in computer literacy, maintenance and repair
- Website design or online marketing
- Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization
Examples include, but are not limited to the following Earlham sponsored internships:
-
-
- City of Richmond: Metropolitan Development Office Intern
- CoverMyMeds: Communications Intern
- Exodus Refugee Immigration: LCORE Internship
- Global Environment and Technology Foundation: Program Intern
- Good News Habitat for Humanity: Marketing Intern
- Huntington Bank: Credit Analyst Internship
- Indiana Economic Development Corporation China (IEDC): Market Specialist Intern
- Right Sharing of World Resources (Microcredit organization)
-
Foreign language skills
Working across cultures often entails verbal and nonverbal languages distinct from your own. Building foreign language skills is thus a second key component of the Peace Corps Prep curriculum and can be fulfilled by language classes at various levels.
Where would you like to serve?
Peace Corps Prep minimum course requirements align with those needed for graduation, but applicants to the Peace Corps itself should be aware of language requirements for certain placements (shown below).
Note: If you are a strong native speaker and hope to serve in a country that speaks your same language, you can skip this requirement.
Individuals wanting to serve in Spanish-speaking countries must apply with strong intermediate proficiency. This typically means completing two 200-level courses.
Individuals wanting to serve in French-speaking African countries should be proficient in French (or, in some cases, any Romance Language), usually through one 200-level course.
The Peace Corps has no explicit language requirements for individuals applying to serve in most other countries. However, you will still likely learn and utilize another language during service, so it is only helpful to have taken at least one foreign language class.
Intercultural competence
Engaging thoughtfully and fluidly across cultures begins with one’s own self-awareness. With this learning objective, you will deepen your cultural agility through a mix of three introspective courses in which you learn about others while reflecting upon your own self in relation to others.
The goal is for you to build your capacity to shift perspective and behavior around relevant cultural differences.
Required core course
- You’ll take the required Peace Corps Prep core practicum, Intercultural Civic Engagement, after acceptance into the program
Choose two additional electives
- Any Diversity-Domestic Course (D-D), for example:
- AAAS 114 Introduction to African, African American Studies
- AAAS 369 African American History since Emancipation
- ENG 203 Women in Literature
- HIST 324 Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
- HIST 352 U.S. Urban History
- PSYC 364 Psychology of Women
- WGSS 305 Radical Queeries
- Any Diversity-International Course (D-I), for example:
- AAAS 333 Gender and Sexuality in the Muslim Middle East and North Africa
- ENG 364 Post-Colonial Literature
- ENST 376 Power, Society, and the Environment in East Asia
- JPNS 238 Introduction to Asian Literature
- JPNS 362 Cross-Cultural Psychology
- MUS 161 Music of the World
- PAGS 240 Global Dynamics & World Peace
- PAGS 333 Medical Anthropology and Global Health
While not required, you should keep in mind that Earlham has wonderful international learning opportunities available through semester-long off-campus learning programs, May Terms, and Epic experiences. Talk to your academic advisor as well as the Peace Corps Prep Director Jennifer Seely ([email protected]) about which opportunities might be right for you.
Prolonged intercultural experiences—such as studying or volunteering abroad, supporting new immigrants or refugees acculturate to the United States, or volunteering in diverse schools—will also strengthen your Peace Corps candidacy significantly.
Talk with our career coaches in the Center for Career Education about additional opportunities.
Professional and leadership development
Peace Corps service and similar international development work opportunities are highly professional and selective. Peace Corps Prep requires three specific activities that will strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps (or any other professional endeavor).
Take advantage of the resources offered by the Center for Career Education (CCE) to help you with writing your cover letter and resume.
You can also schedule an appointment with a career coach to review your current materials and discuss what could be added or improved upon.
Attend a workshop or class on interviewing tips and tricks or schedule an appointment with a career coach at the Center for Career Education (CCE).
Develop at least one significant leadership experience and be prepared to discuss it thoughtfully. For example, organizing a campus event, leading a work or volunteer project or serving on the executive board of a student organization.
For example, serving as a Co-Convener of any one of Earlham’s many student organizations, serving on Earlham Student Government, or serving as a teaching assistant on an Outdoor Education program.