About
The Peace Corps Prep Program at Texas A&M University is a program designed in collaboration with the Peace Corps to prepare undergraduate students for international service and leadership through coursework, hands-on experience, and community engagement. Whether you're interested in eventually serving with the Peace Corps or simply passionate about making a difference in the world, this program equips you with the skills, knowledge, and cross-cultural understanding to lead effectively in global settings.
Why Peace Corps Prep?
Prepare for International Field Work
Peace Corps Volunteers work in partnership with host communities in more than 60 countries. The PC Prep program prepares you for the experience of immersing yourself in a new culture while living and working alongside local community members.
Visit PeaceCorps.gov
Learn About Other Cultures
Peace Corps Prep gives you the chance to explore different cultures and relate across differences. You'll build real-world skills in communication and cultural understanding that help you connect with people from all backgrounds.
Peace Corps Benefits
Earn Recognition
Upon completion of the Peace Corps Prep program, you will receive a certificate from the Peace Corps, a competitive edge when applying for Peace Corps service, and a Texas A&M Global Aggie Medallion once you have applied for graduation.
Global Aggie MedallionsBe Prepared with Peace Corps Prep
Open to students from all majors, the program empowers Aggies to become global citizens—ready to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to positive change. Students in the Peace Corps Prep Program gain a structured pathway, field experience, intercultural competence, and leadership opportunities. With early and careful planning, many students can complete the Peace Corps Prep program without taking a single additional course beyond what is required for their A&M degree plan
Structured Pathway
Follow a structured pathway to increase your competitiveness when it comes time for Peace Corps applications.
Field Experience
Gain valuable field experience through internships or volunteer service.
Intercultural Competence
Build your intercultural competence and language development skills to prepare you for serving in other countries.
Leadership Opportunities
Build your intercultural competence and language development skills to prepare you for serving in other countries.
Core Competency Requirements
Requirements
| Focus Sectors | Coursework | Volunteer |
|---|---|---|
| CHOOSE ONE SECTOR Agriculture, Youth in Development, Education, Environment, Health, or Community Economic Development |
Take three courses related to your chosen sector | Complete 50 hours of related work or volunteer experience |
Requirements
Peace Corps has specific language requirements for volunteers working in Latin America or West Africa. There are no explicit language requirements for volunteers serving everywhere else. Although this is the case, you will likely learn and use another language during your service, so having taken at least one foreign language class is always beneficial.
| Latin America | West Africa |
|---|---|
| Two 200-level Spanish courses | One 200-level French or Romance language course |
Requirements
Engaging thoughtfully and fluidly across cultures begins with one's own self-awareness. The intercultural competency requirement is intended to build your capacity to ship your perspective and behavior around relevant cultural differences. These courses are all either CD or ICD courses. You are required to take at least one core introspective course and two additional electives from the lists below.
| Core Introspective Courses | Elective |
|---|---|
CHOOSE ATLEAST ONE |
CHOOSE TWO |
| ANTH 205 - Peoples and Cultures of the World | AGSM 105 – Global Water Scarcity |
| ANTH 222 - Cross Cultural Competency | ALEC 350 – Global Agricultural Issues |
| COMM 335 - Intercultural Communication | CARC 101 - Cultural and Social Issues in the Natural, Built and Virtual Environment |
| GLST 211/ENGL 211 - Foundations in Cultural Studies | GEOG 202 – Geography of the Global Village |
| POLS 231 - Intro to World Politics | IBUS 310 – Global Context of Business |
| PERF 301 – Performance in World Cultures | |
| TEFB 273 – Intro to Culture, Community, Society and Schools | |
| Any courses from the previous list |
Studying or volunteering abroad can count towards the intercultural competence elective if it was in one of the Peace Corps Countries. Experiences that last a full semester or longer may substitute two electives.
Requirements
The Peace Corps and other international development opportunities are highly professional and selective. The PC Prep program requires three specific activities that will strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps (and any other professional endeavor!)
You will need to:
- Have your resume reviewed by the Career Center
- Attend a workshop or class on interview skills at the Career Center
- 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 board of a student organization.
How to Get Started
Select a focus sector for your certificate:
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Education
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Health
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Environment
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Agriculture
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Youth in Development
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Community Economic Development
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Contact the PC Prep Advisor (Michayla Robles michayla@tamu.edu) with any questions on classes and general certificate requirements.
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Contact the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter for how to best leverage your certificate to start your Peace Corps Journey.