SUU Peace Corps Prep Program Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions students ask about the Peace Corps Prep program. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kurt Harris at peacecorpsprep@suu.edu.

Q: Does completing the Peace Corps Prep program guarantee that I will be selected to be a Peace Corps Volunteer?
A: No. A Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee you will become a Peace Corps Volunteer. However, your completion of the program will demonstrate that you have the skills needed to be a successful Peace Corps Volunteer, and your application will therefore be very competitive.

Q: My major is not closely related to one of the six work sectors. Will I have to change my major to earn a Peace Corps Prep certificate?
A: No. Undergraduate students in any major may select a work sector and complete that sector’s requirements without changing their major.

Q: Am I required to take a foreign language to earn a Peace Corps Prep certificate?
A: No. However, if you intend to apply to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in a Spanish-speaking Latin American country, it is highly recommended that you complete at least two 2000-level Spanish courses. If you intend to apply to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in a French-speaking West African country, you should complete at least one 2000-level French course. If you intend to apply to be a Peace Corps Volunteer anywhere else in the world, you are encouraged to study any foreign language or be able to demonstrate proficiency in a second language.

Q: I see that study abroad is not required to complete the Peace Corps Prep program. Should I do it anyway?
A: Yes. Although it’s not among the requirements to earn a Peace Corps Prep certificate, studying abroad–especially for a full semester or more–will demonstrate that you are culturally curious and adaptable, and you’re therefore likely suited to be a Peace Corps Volunteer working overseas for two years.

Q: May non-traditional students enroll in the Peace Corps Prep program and earn a certificate?
A: Yes. Non-traditional students are encouraged to participate in the program.

Q: May graduate students enroll in the Peace Corps Prep program and earn a certificate?
A: Graduate students may enroll in the program, but only undergraduate students can be awarded a Peace Corps Prep certificate.