SPEA MASTER’S PROGRAMS
Master’s International
Description
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ (SPEA) Master’s International (MI) enables students to incorporate both the practical, in-country experience of Peace Corps and the academic training that SPEA’s nationally recognized master’s degree programs offer. The MI candidate may seek admission to any of SPEA’s master’s degree programs: Master of Public Affairs (MPA); Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES); or the dual MPA-MSES that fully integrates science and policy in an expedited academic design (5 semesters). Candidates who are considering SPEA’s MI are encouraged to pursue one or more of SPEA’s concentrations in energy, environmental policy and natural resource management, international development, or sustainability and sustainable development. The application process involves admission to a SPEA’s master’s degree program, as well as a nomination to Peace Corps. Those interested should submit applications to SPEA by February 1. The designation of MI may be extended once the candidate has been admitted to SPEA and has received a favorable review via SPEA’s competitive merit aid allocation process. A nomination to Peace Corps, which requires SPEA’s Master’s International designation, may soon follow after.
Kiryssa Kasprzyk, MPA-MSES 2015 Peace Corps, Peru Energy, Sustainability and Sustainable Development
MASTERS PROGRAM OFFICE • SPEA 260 • 1315 East Tenth St. • Bloomington, IN 47405
“My SPEA coursework was instrumental in preparing me for my time in Peace Corps: my knowledge of developmental and environmental concepts was invaluable in my Peace Corps projects, especially in my work on renewable energy with Professor Sanya Carley. SPEA promotes the type of critical thinking, problem solving, and hard work that Peace Corps volunteers need on a daily basis.”
p: 800-765-7755 or 812-855-2840
speainfo@indiana.edu
f: 812-856-3665
www.spea.indiana.edu
SPEA’s Master’s International Program Design Structure First Year:
24 credit hours of graduate study at SPEA; during this time, the MI candidate works with a faculty advisor to develop a research assignment/field project.
Following Years:
Peace Corps in-country assignment (approximately 27 months); the student will serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer and work on his or her research assignment/field project with the guidance of a faculty advisor.
Final Semester(s):
12 credit hours of graduate study at SPEA for MPA or MSES; 24 credit hours of graduate study for dual MPA-MSES candidates. The MI will finalize and present his or her research assignment/field project.
Benefits
The greatest benefit of the MI program is the opportunity to gain valuable work and field experience that enhances the student’s academic training in SPEA’s master’s programs. In addition, SPEA offers financial benefits to MI participants. Namely, all MI candidates are offered 6 credit hours of tuition remission for their research assignment/field project. In recognition of service through Peace Corps, SPEA extends a 6-hour volunteer credit reduction to all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to be applied to their total degree requirements. Finally, the experiential component, a requirement of all of SPEA’s academic designs, is waived. In sum, the financial benefits may total up to approximately $12,000, based on residency and degree program.
© August 2014
Mike Kowalick, MPA 2015 Peace Corps, Peru
MASTERS PROGRAM OFFICE • SPEA 260 • 1315 East Tenth St. • Bloomington, IN 47405
Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management, Policy Analysis “SPEA’s Master’s International will allow me to amplify the effects of both my Peace Corps experience and my graduate studies and will aptly prepare me to enter the career which most interests me — international environmental policy analysis.”