Peace Corps Prep Program
Beginning Spring 2021, University of West Florida will offer the Peace Corps Prep Program.
Volunteer Abroad
The Peace Corps has identified four core competencies critical to intercultural fieldwork of Peace Corps Volunteers:
- Sector-specific skills
- Foreign language proficiency
- Intercultural competence
- Professional savvy and leadership
Peace Corps Prep programs provide a framework to foster these four competencies and integrate coursework with hands-on experience and professional development. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate from the Peace Corps which can provide a competitive edge when applying for Peace Corps service.
Peace Corps Prep programs correspond with the Peace Corps’ application process, which provides an opportunity to select service locations and professional service areas of interest. Program participants explore Peace Corps Prep opportunities and skills needed for a competitive application Once enrolled in the Peace Corps Prep program, you are then able to shape your curriculum around identified competencies and requirements.
Please note: Receiving a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps.
Eligibility Requirements for UWF’s Peace Corps Prep Program
- Be an undergraduate student
- Have at least one semester to complete at UWF before graduation
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
Steps to Apply to UWF’s Peace Corps Prep Program
- Review the UWF Peace Corps Prep Student Guide.
- Complete the Peace Corps Prep Student Application.
- Once the application has been approved, confirmed participants should attend the Peace Corps Prep Program orientation offered in a virtual format.
Application Deadlines
Spring Semester: Feb. 15
Fall Semester: Sept. 15
Peace Corps Volunteer Programs
For more information, please contact the UWF Peace Corps Program Coordinator:
To learn more about UWF's rich history with Peace Corps and what the program has to offer, check out this interview with Dr. Karen Smith.
Benefits of Peace Corps Service
Peace Corps requires dedication and a high level of service from volunteers but gives back in return in personal and professional development. While in the service to others, you will also gain experiences and expertise that will last well beyond volunteer service and into future professions.
Additional Preparation and Training
During your service with Peace Corps, there will be multiple training opportunities, including pre-service training, in-service training, midservice training and the close-of-service conference.
Choose Your Program
Peace Corps service can be the first step toward a career or the continuation of a life's work. Each program has different time commitments and requirements, but all offer the opportunity to serve abroad and make the most of your world.
UWF Alumni
Peace Corps was a transformative experience, serving as a demarcation line in my life and career, and there’s not a step I take that isn’t in some way informed by my experiences. The genius of Peace Corps to embed you in a country in such a way that you experience its language, its culture, its history, and its people in ways few foreigners ever could has forever altered my perspective on the world and imbued me with a deep empathy for others around me.
UWF Alumni
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