The joint Peace Corps/M.S. option complements the wide variety of internships and projects offered by the Environmental Science/Regional Planning Program. While only a limited number of students will have the greater commitment and extra time this joint program requires, the application of the skills emphasized in the ES/RP Program to the real life situations in developing countries will be mutually beneficial for the student, the Peace Corps, and the countries assisted overseas. Central to all students' work is the emphasis on the ecological, economic and social aspects of change; the Program's guiding philosophy dictates that without attention to all three of these areas, successful and sustainable development of human and natural resources is not possible.
| Course of Study: | |
| Year 1 | Students accepted into the joint program would complete one (1) academic year of graduate studies at WSU prior to Peace Corps Service. Selection of courses would be guided by the existing Program requirements, the student's interests, and the expected Peace Corps assignment. |
| Year 2-3 | Peace Corps Orientation and Service Assignment activities would be used as the basis of a required Environmental Science or Regional Planning project or internship. Non-thesis options in both Environmental Science and Regional Planning would allow case-by-case flexibility on the academic interpretation of the Peace Corps assignment. Credits granted would vary from 3-6. If acceptable to all parties, the work abroad could also be used as the basis for an M.S. thesis. The student's faculty advisor would be expected to visit the student in-country at least once during the assignment to evaluate the student's academic progress. |
| Year 4 | Return to WSU for completion/write-up of internship/project/thesis based on Peace Corps experience. Completion of graduate coursework. While an exceptional student may be able to do this in one semester, it is expected that most would require a full academic year to complete degree requirements. |