Peace Corps Certificate Requirements
To earn the Peace Corps Certificate, University of North Dakota students are required to include:
- Three courses in your chosen work sector
- 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in you chosen work sector
- Three courses exploring intercultural competence
- Develop leadership experience
- Develop foreign language skills
You'll build four core competencies through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience and professional development support.
- Training and experience in a work sector
- Foreign language skills
- Intercultural competence
- Professional and leadership development
Keep in mind as you shape your Peace Corps Prep Certificate that your UND program requires a certain number of courses at the 300/400 levels. Plan accordingly.
Leveraging concrete knowledge and skills is central to on-the-ground international development work. Through this PC Prep program, you will begin to build a professional specialty, which should serve your career well whether or not you become a Peace Corps Volunteer.
For PC Prep, you need to complete at least three courses that align with a specific work sector (they can but do not need to come from your academic major or minor). You also must accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity. Speak to your program coordinator about available service learning/internship credit that can tie into your Peace Corps Prep Certificate program (for example, A&S 497 and POLS 480).
The Work Sectors
There are six sectors in which Peace Corps Volunteers serve-detailed below. Choose one sector to focus on then complete at least 3 courses, plus 50 hours of related experience in that sector.
Note Actual Peace Corps assignments are based on local needs, and thus may or may not align seamlessly with your qualifications. Flexibility is central to the Peace Corps experience!
#1: Education
Teach lessons that last a lifetime. Education Is the Peace Corp's largest program area. Volunteers play an important role in creating links among schools, parents and communities by working in elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools as math, science, conversational English and resource teachers or as early grade reading and literacy teacher trainers. Volunteers also develop libraries and technology resource centers.
If you choose Education, take 3 courses from one of the following areas:
- Elementary, Secondary or Special Education
- English or Linguistics
- English Language Learning (ELL)
- Math
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Any Physical or Biological Science
Recommended Courses: T&L 415: Language and Literacy Development of English Language Learners, ENGL 209: Introduction to Linguistics, MATH 277: Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, MATH 400: Methods for Teaching Middle and Secondary Mathematics
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Teaching in one of these or a similar form: in a classroom, with a community outreach organization, or In a formal tutoring capacity
- Teaching during study abroad
- Volunteer to tutor/teach English with an organization such as Global Friends Coalition or the English Language Service on campus
- Volunteer to help with the Dakota Science Center's STEM in the Library Program
#2: Health
Serve on the front lines of global health. Health volunteers work within their communities to promote important topics such as nutrition, maternal and child health, basic hygiene and water sanitation. Volunteers also work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs to train youth as peer educators, develop appropriate education strategies, provide support to children orphaned by the pandemic and create programs that provide emotional and financial support to families and communities affected by the disease.
If you choose Health, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Nursing
- Nutrition or Dietetics
- Health Education
- Pre-med
- Biology
- Environmental Studies or related field
Recommended Courses: NURS 300: Foundations of Nursing Practice, NURS 310: Health and Illness I, NURS 330: Health and Illness 11, NURS 313: Clinical Practicum, NURS 324: Public Health Nursing Theory, NURS 331: Patient and Family-Centered Nursing, N&D 240: Fundamentals of Nutrition, N&D 335: World Food Patterns, N&D 345: Community Nutrition, GEOG 454: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Volunteer or work experience in such areas as HIV/AIDS outreach, hospice, family planning counseling, emergency medical technician (EMT) or CPR teaching/certification, maternal health, and hands-on caregiving in a hospital, clinic, or lab technician setting
- Counseling or teaching in health subjects
- Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory, as a peer nutritionist, or as a sexually transmitted infections counselor
- Significant experience in mechanical repairs, construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hydrology, or set design
- Volunteer with the Altru Health System
- Become a resident assistant in one of UND's dormitories
#3: Environment
Help forge a global movement to protect our planet. Volunteers lead grassroots efforts in their communities to protect the environment and strengthen understanding of environmental issues. They teach environmental awareness in elementary and secondary schools and to youth groups and community organizations, empowering communities to make their own decisions about how to protect and conserve the local environment. Volunteers also address environmental degradation by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
If you choose environment, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Environmental Science or related field
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Park Administration
- Wildlife Biology
- Natural Resources or Wildlife Management
- Forestry
- Biology, Botany, or Ecology
- Geology
Recommended Courses: BIOL 426: Birds and Mammals, BIOL 438: Fisheries Management, BIOL 439: Conservation Biology, BIOL 481: Fisheries and Wildlife Capstone, ESSP 200: Sustainability Science, ESSP 420: Sustainable Energy, GEOG 103: Introduction to Environmental Issues, GEOL 322: Geology, Society, and the Environment.
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns
- Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals (North Dakota Game and Fish)
- Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production or landscaping
- Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management
- Environmental service learning/volunteer work during study abroad
- Volunteer with North Dakota Game and Fish to help count/tag animal populations
- Become part of UND's Citizen Scientist Grid or the Wildlife@Home project
- Volunteer at Turtle River State Park
#4: Agriculture
Lead grassroots efforts to fight hunger in a changing world. Agricultural Volunteers work with small-scale farmers and families to increase food security and production and adapt to climate change while promoting environmental conservation practices. They introduce farmers to techniques that prevent soil erosion, reduce the use of harmful pesticides and replenish the soil. They work alongside farmers on integrated projects that often combine vegetable gardening, livestock management, agroforestry, and nutrition education.
If you choose Agriculture, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Botany
- Entomology
- Business or economics
- Biology
Recommended courses: BIOL 332: General Ecology, BIOL 364 Parasitology, BADM 101: Introduction to Business, ECON 330: Business and Economic History, BIOL 438: Fisheries Management
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Working with a large-scale or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, landscaping, livestock care and management or fish cultivation and production
- Teaching or tutoring the public in environmental or agricultural issues/activities
- Working on the business management or marketing side of a commercial farm
- Volunteer/internship/service learning during study abroad
- Volunteer to work in the Grand Forks Cooperative Garden
- Volunteer with a local family farm
#5: Youth Development
Empower the next generation of changemakers. Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, sporting programs and Info technology.
If you choose Youth Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Social Work
- Counseling
- Community Development
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Development
Recommended courses: T&L 350: Development and Education of the Adolescent, LEAD 101: Learning Leadership, LEAD 400: Advanced Leadership, PSYC 250: Developmental Psychology, SWI< 257: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, SWI< 424: Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families.
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs
- Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business
- Volunteer/internship/service learning during study abroad
- Volunteer with The Salvation Army or other local church group to be a youth camp counselor
- Volunteer to teach or mentor with the Dakota Science Center andits STEM in the Library program
- Work in/volunteer with the Grand Forks Parks District to coach youth sports
#6: Community Economic Development
Harness 21st century tools to help communities lift themselves. Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to strengthen infrastructure and encourage economic opportunities in communities. They frequently teach in classroom settings and work with entrepreneurs and business owners to develop and market their products. Some Volunteers also teach basic computer skills and help communities take advantage of technologies such as e-commerce, online learning, and more.
If you choose Community Economic Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Business or Public Administration
- Nonprofit Management
- Accounting, Banking or Finance
- Computer Science and related majors
- Mass Communications
- International Business
Recommended courses: ECON 201: Principles of Micoreconomics, ECON 202: Principles of Macroeconomics, ECON 201: Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics, ECON 303: Money and Banking, MGMT 300: Principles of Management, MGMT 310: Organizational Behavior, MGMT 412: Training and Management, POLS 200: Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector, POLS 250: Introduction to Public Administration, POLS 220: International Politics, POLS 320: Foreign Policies.
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, microfinance, management, project management, budgeting, or marketing
- Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity
- Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair
- Website design or online marketing
- Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization
- Volunteer/internship/service learning during study abroad
- Volunteering the above skills to Community Violence Intervention Center to aid clients in getting on their financial feet
- Volunteering with Global Friends Coalition to help new Americans develop computer skills and business acumen
Foreign Language Skills
Working across cultures often entails verbal and nonverbal languages distinct from your own. Building foreign language skills is thus a second key component of the PC Prep curriculum.
Where would you like to serve? PC Prep minimum course requirements align with those needed by applicants to the Peace Corps itself, which vary by linguistic region.
- Latin America: Individuals wanting to serve in Spanish-speaking countries must apply with strong intermediate proficiency. This typically means completing two 200-level courses.
- West Africa: Individuals wanting to serve in French-speaking African countries should be proficient in French (or, in some cases, any Romance Language), usually through one 200·level course.
- Everywhere else: The Peace Corps has no explicit language requirements for individuals applying to serve in most other countries. However, you will still likely learn and utilize another language during service, so it is always helpful to have taken at least one foreign language class.
Note: If you are a strong native speaker and want to serve in a country that speaks your same language, you can skip this requirement!
Intercultural Competence
Engaging thoughtfully and fluidly across cultures begins with one's own self-awareness. With this learning objective, you will deepen your cultural agility through a mix of three introspective courses in which you learn about others while reflecting upon your own self in relation to others. The goal is for you to build your capacity to shift perspective and behavior around relevant cultural differences.
You'll take:
- LANG 380 Global Gateways (3 credits)
- Or an approved equivalent
And 2 additional electives from this list:
- ENGL 228 Diversity in Global Literature
- GEOG 250 Introduction to Geopolitics
- POLS 215 Politics and Diversity
- POLS 220 International Politics
- RELS 203 World Religions
Optional: Intercultural experience in place of elective(s). If you have spent substantive time (at least 40 hours) volunteering while abroad or within an international community (with the Global Friends Coalition, for example) in the United States, you may substitute that experience for your elective(s).
Is there another course in the catalog that you feel meets this requirement? Please discuss it with your PC prep coordinator.
Professional and Leadership Development
International development is a highly professional sector. It is difficult to break
into and demands great initiative and leadership to advance professionally within
the field. PC Prep requires three specific activities that will strengthen your candidacy
for the Peace Corps
(or any other professional endeavor):
- Have your resume critiqued by someone in Career Services.
- Attend a workshop or class on interview skills at Career Services.
- Develop at least one significant leadership experience and be prepared to discuss it thoughtfully. For example, organizing a campus event, leading a work or volunteer project, or serving on the executive board of a student organization. The leadership experience can also be a part of a study abroad experience.