Students can apply at any point in their college career, but it is suggested that they wait until sophomore year to ensure they have fully considered their major and post-college interests, and begin no later than the first semester of junior year in order to complete all coursework in a timely manner. Interested students should first meet with the Peace Corps Prep campus coordinator in order to discuss the program, how it works, the benefits and the application process

General Requirements

The following requirements are necessary for the completion of every track.
A downloadable PDF of this information is available at the bottom of the page.

1. 3 courses + 50 hours of related experience. 

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 3 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.

For examples of accepted courses and activities, refer to the requirements for your specific sector: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, community economic development.

2. Intercultural competency.

Students will deepen cultural agility through a mix of at least three self-reflective courses focused on global perspectives. These are some recommended courses:

  • Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 113)
  • Anthropology of Mass Media (ANTH 253)
  • Music, Human Rights and Cultural Rights (ANTH 310)
  • Decolonization and Violence (ENGL 266)
  • Books and the Booker (ENGL 271)
  • The Global South Novel (ENGL 367)
  • History First-Year Seminar (HIST 100)
  • Expansion of International Society (INST 201)
  • World Cinema (MLL 260)
  • Immigration, Citizenship and National Identity (PSCI 355)
  • Multicultural Identities (PSYC 360)
  • Encountering Religion in its Global Context (RLST 101)
  • Voices of Contemporary Islam (RLST 343)
  • Society in Comparative Perspective (SOCY 105)
  • Global Religions in Modern Society (SOCY 221)
  • Borders and Border Crossings (SOCY 237)
  • Politics of Identity Formation in the Global South (SOCY 466)
  • Transnational Feminisms (WGS 242)

Is there another course in the catalog that you feel meets this requirement? Please discuss it with the Peace Corps Prep coordinator at Kenyon College.

Substitution Option

A maximum of two courses can be substituted with an lntercultural Experience or Foreign Language Course/Proficiency.

  • lntercultural Experience: Engage in an intercultural experience, such as studying, volunteering and/or teaching abroad or in a different cultural context from your own in the United States (including U.S. territories).
  • Foreign Language Skills: Develop language skills by taking courses in the Modern Languages and Literature Department or in American Sign Language. Please note that native/fluent experience with more than one language can also satisfy this requirement. All are encouraged to hone their capacity to interact professionally in more than one language.

3. Professional and leadership development. 

International development is a highly professional sector. It is difficult to break into, and it 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):

  1. Have your resume critiqued by someone in the Career Development Office.
  2. Attend a workshop or class on interview skills at the Career Development Office.
  3. 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.
  4. Connect with a Peace Corps recruiter, strategic campus recruiter or returned Peace Corps volunteer about volunteer service, the application process and benefits of service.

Note: If you are interested in taking a course or pursing a volunteer opportunity that you believe relates to your track but do not see above, contact Stephen Volz at volzs@kenyon.edu or Jacqueline Zubin at zubin1@kenyon.edu to discuss whether it could be counted towards the program requirements.

Download General Requirements for All Tracks