Masters International Volunteer Program
Grad School or Peace Corps...
Why Not Do Both?
Formerly, the University of Michigan School of Social Work (SSW) in conjunction with Peace Corps offered the Master's International (MI) program until the program was retired in 2016. Despite the retirement of the MI program, the SSW is continuing to offer students interested in international service the option to incorporate Peace Corps service into their MSW program. MSW applicants must apply to the U-M School of Social Work first and upon acceptance can apply to the Peace Corps. Masters International Volunteer Program students are not guaranteed acceptance into Peace Corps.
MSW students interested in the Masters International Volunteer Program may select any practice concentration and area. Please note if your practice area is Interpersonal Practice, although your coursework and field placements will be IP focused, your work in Peace Corps will be community focused and not clinically focused. Having an IP focus here and a more macro focus abroad will give you a wider breadth of experience that you can use to your advantage when applying for jobs. Masters International Volunteer Program students serve in countries all around the world and may choose to serve in any of the Peace Corps sectors that they see will best fit their interest. Peace Corps Volunteer Openings are updated quarterly for prospective applicants to look at current volunteer openings.
The Masters International Volunteer Program will further enhance learning and skills by giving students an option to complete 27 months of significant international experience while completing their MSW degree.
Begin your Peace Corps application »
Masters International Volunteer Program Curriculum Schedules
These schedules are designed for MSW students that are participating in the Masters International Volunteer Program. Students complete one year of coursework on campus, serve overseas in the Peace Corps for 27 months, then return to campus to complete their last year of coursework.
The Masters International Volunteer Program course planning worksheets indicate typical course schedules by term.
Masters International Volunteer Program 20-Month Curriculum Schedule
| Fall Term Year 1 | Winter Term Year 1 | Spring/Summer Term Year 1 | Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer Terms Year 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Credit Hours | 12 | 13 | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | |
| Field Placement Credit Hours | 3 (2 days / week) | 4 (2 days / week) | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | 17 | ||
| Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer Terms Year 3 | Fall Term Year 4 | Winter Term Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Credit Hours | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | 14* | 6 |
| Field Placement Credit Hours | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | 4 (2 days / week) | 4 (2 days / week) |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | 10 |
* = 6 elective credits for Peace Corps service will be given during Fall Term Year 4.
Masters International Volunteer Program 12-Month Curriculum Schedules
| Fall Term Year 1 | Winter Term Year 1 | Spring/Summer Term Year 1 | Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer Terms Year 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Credit Hours | 9 | 10 | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | |
| Field Placement Credit Hours | 6 (3 days / week) | 6 (3 days / week) | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | 16 | ||
| Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer Terms Year 3 | Fall Term Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Credit Hours | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | 14* |
| Field Placement Credit Hours | Students On Detached Study For Peace Corps Volunteer Service | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 |
* = 6 elective credits for Peace Corps service will be given during Fall Term Year 4.