Teach lessons that will last a lifetime.

The Difference You'll Make

Education is the Peace Corps’s 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.

Courses

Students who choose Education will take three courses in either education, English, computer science, engineering, math, or physical or biological science. Recommended courses include:

  • EDUC 2201 Explorations in Education: Teaching, Learning, and Schooling -
  • Community Engaged Learning (CEL)
  • EDUC 3241 Educational Psychology
  • EDUC 2329 Philosophy of Education
  • ENGL 1720 Literacy and Language (CEL)
  • ENGL 2220 Teaching and Writing
  • ENGL 1410 Imagining Shakespeare (CEL version) or ENGL 2013 Shakespeare I (CEL version) or ENGL 2014 Shakespeare II (CEL version)
  • ENGL 2230 Teaching and Learning Grammar
  • Students planning to teach in a STEM field may count any course in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Math or Physic

Field Experience

50 hours of related field experience is required to complete the Peace Corps Prep Program. Activities that can help satisfy this requirement include:

  • Teaching either in a classroom, with a community outreach organization, or in a formal tutoring capacity. The subject of the teaching may be English as a Foreign/Second Language, special education, drama, or a STEM subject
    Tutoring opportunities are available through the Center for Social Impact, Campus Ministry, the International Studies Program, as well as through many academic programs including the Educational Studies Minor in the School of Education and Human Development
  • Community Engaged Learning courses (CEL) in various departments and schools, as long as they incorporate practical education methods
  • Humanitarian Action Internship (HA 298) and International Studies Program internships (IL 298) including Global Scholars Program summer internships in the Global South which include practical education methods
  • Campus Ministry service immersion programs/alternative breaks which include practical education methods
  • Students can work with the career counselor in their school or college to assist them with finding internship, volunteer, research, or experiential learning opportunities to support their sector of choice