What is the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps is a national service opportunity sponsored by the US Department of State. Through this program, motivated changemakers immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. It is a government organization that was founded in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, with three primary missions:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
For more information, visit the Peace Corps Website or read our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Peace Corps Offers positions in Six Different Sectors
Peace Corps Prep Certificate Program at the U of A
The Peace Corps Prep Program is a certificate Program of the US Peace Corps. The mission of Peace Corps Prep is to prepare students to be the most qualified Peace Corps applicants they can be.
The University of Arkansas launched its Peace Corps Prep Certificate Program in 2018 and has since graduated three students who have already accepted positions within the Peace Corps.
To complete the certificate, students develop competencies in four main areas:
- Hands-on experience with one of the six Peace Corps sectors
- Foreign Language
- Cultural Competence
- Leadership