Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program

In October, the Peace Corps welcomed Monmouth University as its newest Peace Corps Fellows, formerly known as Fellows/USA, partner school. Upon joining, Monmouth became the 50th institution to offer the Peace Corps Fellows option to returned Peace Corps volunteers.

Peace Corps Fellows, conceived at Columbia University Teacher’s College in 1985, allows returning Peace Corps volunteers to pursue subsidized masters and doctoral degrees while using the skills garnered during Peace Corps service in underserved communities here in the U.S. The Peace Corps Fellows program has recently undergone substantial expansion, and it is with great excitement that they reach this milestone in signing Monmouth University to the partnership.

Monmouth’s program, housed in the School of Social Work, will grant successful Fellows masters degrees in social work with tracks available in clinical practice with families and children, as well as international and community development. A joint master of arts in public policy degree is also available, as is a joint master of divinity degree in association with Drew University.

Dr. Robin Mama, dean of the School of Social Work, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Peace Corps in the Fellows program. I look forward to having the returning Peace Corps volunteers joining the Monmouth community as graduate students in our master of social work program. Their experience will benefit the classroom as well as the community where their Peace Corps experience will definitely be put to use in their field internships.”

Volunteers who have satisfactorily completed their Peace Corps service will be eligible for the program which, besides class work towards the degree, will include an internship geared toward assisting individuals, families, and communities in New Jersey to address age, gender, and social issues. Fellows will be awarded graduate assistantships which will cover room and board, and include nine credit hours of tuition remission.

Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter said, "I am enthusiastic about our new partnership with Monmouth University. With this partnership, the Peace Corps will have the opportunity to further develop the skills of volunteers in the area of social work. I am confident that Monmouth University will be a strong [Peace Corps Fellows] partner.”

An integral part of the Peace Corps Fellows program is a substantive, degree-related internship in a high-need community. With their cross-cultural skills, adaptability, and desire to work for improvement, returning volunteers are valuable assets at their universities. The program has established partnerships with 50 universities nationwide. As one of Peace Corps’ domestic programs, Peace Corps Fellows enables returning volunteers to pursue graduate degrees at a reduced cost while aiding underserved U.S. communities through internships.

Support provided for Fellows

What will be provided to Fellows in fellowships, reduced tuition, or stipends? What are the sources for each type of support?

The Peace Corps Fellow will receive room and board and a 6 credit Graduate Assistantship. In exchange for 6 credits of remitted tuition the Peace Corps Fellow will be expected to develop and assist in weekend programming in the residence halls for the students who do not go home on the weekends. This programming is designed to maintain continuity with the programming that occurs during the week. The overall hour commitment for a 6 GA appointment is 200 per semester, which translates to 13.5 hours per week. In this case, the student will be maintaining continuity and be present in order to supervise residents. Graduate Assistantships are renewed on a semester by semester basis provided the student maintains an eligible graduate GPA of 3.000 or better.

Anyone who wishes to apply to the MSW program at Monmouth applies online and provides transcripts, an essay and three letters of recommendation. The applications are read on a rolling basis beginning in January and continuing until the program is full. The applications are read by two faculty admissions committee members and interviews are requested if faculty have questions about the application. In the case of the Peace Corps Fellow, an interview will be required as their acceptance equals an appointment for an assistantship. The interview will include representatives from the faculty, field staff and residential life staff. All parties must agree that the applicant is appropriate for the program and the residential life program Assistantship in order for the person to be offered the Peace Corps Fellow position.

For more information about Peace Corps Fellows, please visit the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov/fellows