Peace Corps Prep
Administered by the International Studies Office

Specific Work Sector Requirements

Specific Work Sector Requirements

Participants in UVa’s Peace Corps Prep program select one of the following six sectors in which Peace Corps Volunteers serve and complete at least 3 courses + 50 hours of related experience in that sector.  
 
EDUCATION  ǀ  HEALTH  ǀ  ENVIRONMENT  ǀ  AGRICULTURE  ǀ  YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT  ǀ  COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Education

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Elementary, Secondary or Special Education
  • English or Linguistics
  • Math
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Any Physical or Biological Science
 
Build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
  • Volunteering with the ESL program in Albemarle Country.
  • Volunteering with the English Speakers of Other Language program through UVa’s Madison House.
  • Volunteering in UVA’s Volunteers for International Students and Scholars (VISAS) program.
  • Completing the practicum required for the UVa’s TESOL certificate program.
  • Volunteering through Madison House programs such as Bridging the Gap, Cavs in the Classroom, Latino and Migrant Aid, or the after school Tutoring program.
  • Joining Wahoo Wizards through the School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Joining one of the many CIOs that provide mentorship programs in the local community.

Health

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Nursing
  • Biology
  • Public Health Sciences
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Global Development Studies: Global Public Health
 
Build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
  • Volunteer through Madison House with Medical Services or Recreational Therapy
  • Volunteer for the Charlottesville Free Clinic or the HIV/AIDS Services Group
  • Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory
  • Get involved in Peer Health Educators, CASE or the Coalition on Eating Disorders
  • Join Nursing Students Without Borders
  • Get involved with the UVa Water Project in Limpopo, South Africa.

Environment

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Environmental Science
  • Natural Resources Conservation
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Biology, Botany, or Ecology
 
Build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
  • Get involved in Student Council’s Environmental Sustainability committee
  • Participate in one of the student community gardens on grounds or the gardens at UVa’s Morven Farm.
  • Volunteer with the Rivanna Conservation Society, the Southern Environmental Law Center, or the Piedmont Environmental Council

Agriculture

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Commerce/business
  • Botany
  • Entomology
  • Business or economics
  • Biology
 
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, 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
  • Volunteer at UVA’s Morven Farm.
  • Volunteer with Charlottesville’s Local Food Hub.

Youth in Development

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Sociology of Youth
  • Community Development
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Human Development
  • Family Studies
 
Build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
  • Volunteer through Madison House with any of these programs: Athletics, Big Siblings, Day Care, PLAY or Youth Mentoring.
  • Participate in either the Young Women’s Leadership Development Program or the Young Men’s Leadership Development Program sponsored by the Women’s Center.

Community Economic Development

Take three courses and earn a minimum grade of B- in one of the following areas:
  • Business or Public Administration
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Computer Science and related majors
  • Graphic Design
  • Mass Communications
  • International Business
 

Build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

  • Volunteer with one of these Madison House programs: Creating Assets, Savings and Hope, Hoos Assisting with Lifes Obstacles, or Housing Improvement.
  • Volunteer with Computers4Kids
  • Work on one of the SEAS Concrete Canoe or Steel Bridge competition teams
  • Join Engineering Students Without Borders