The Austin College Peace Corps Preparation Program (PCPP) is designed to help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to serve in the Peace Corps.

Austin College is one of only a handful of colleges and universities in the nation to offer this program, which was developed through a cooperative agreement between AC and the U.S. Peace Corps. The PCPP curriculum includes at least two years of foreign language study, as well as four courses chosen from among the following disciplines:

African Studies
Anthropology
Asian Studies
Biology
Business Administration
Chinese
Communication
East Asian Languages and Cultures

Education
Economics/International Economics and Finance (INEF)
English
French
Global Science, Technology, and Society
Environmental Studies
History

Leadership
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Spanish
Speech

Students in the program also gain practical experience through community service, international student mentoring, and cross-cultural experience (through study abroad and/or domestic or international service trips or internships). PCPP students receive mentoring throughout the program.

Goals:

This interdisciplinary program serves to advance the following Peace Corps goals:

To help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women;
To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served; and
To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Students in the program benefit by cross-cultural experience, foreign language proficiency, practical skills, and a better understanding of global issues, all of which are highly valued by employers in today’s global economy.

The Austin College Peace Corps Prep Program is open to students of any major. Students can apply at any time before their junior year, or even the first semester of their junior year (the earlier the better). Students completing the program earn recognition that will appear on their transcript. Although completion of the program does not guarantee that applicants will be accepted as Peace Corps volunteers, the specialized curriculum and experience will make them strong candidates.

For a program application or for more information, contact Margie Norman, PCPP Coordinator, at 903.813.2074, or Dr. Patrick Duffey, PCPP Faculty Advisor, at 903.813.2377.