Peace Corps Prep Tracks

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Photo by Grace Riley '18

photo by Maya Luckett '18

photo by Kelsey Trulik '18

To prepare you for Peace Corps service, you are expected to complete 3 courses and 50 hours of volunteer work in your desired work sector.

The Peace Corps currently has six specific work sectors: education, health, the environment, agriculture, youth in development, and community economic development. Completing Peace Corps Prep coursework and hands-on experience in these sectors will greatly improve your chances of Peace Corps acceptance after college. Listed below are suggested courses and experiential extracurricular activities for each sector. 

For information about the Peace Corps and guidance on how to complete the Peace Corp Prep requirements, contact the program's faculty advisor Prof. Stephen Volz at volzs@kenyon.edu. For additional information about Peace Corp Prep, contact the program's administrator Marne Ausec at ausecm@kenyon.edu.

A downloadable PDF for each individual track is available at the end of each description.

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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 in the following two areas:

2 courses from the following: 

  • Introduction to Fiction Writing (ENGL 200)
  • Symbolic Logic (PHIL 201)
  • Educational Psychology (PSYC 324)
  • Introduction to Programming (SCMP 118)

1 course in math:

  • Elements of Statistics (MATH 106)
  • Calculus I (MATH 111)
  • Calculus II (Math 112)
  • Statistics in Sports (MATH 116)
  • Data Analysis (MATH 206)
  • Non-Parametric Statistics (MATH 216)
  • Linear Algebra (MATH 224)
  • Mathematical Problem Solving (MATH 221)

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as: 

  • Teaching in a classroom, with a community outreach organization, or in a formal tutoring capacity. The subject of the teaching may be English as a Foreign/Second Language, special education, drama, or a STEM subject
  • Volunteer or service hours acquired in a school or other educational institution during study abroad (such as in programs operated by the School for International Training)
  • Volunteering and teaching at local schools, such as Wiggin Street School or East Knox Elementary in Danville
  • Volunteering and teaching at local agencies, such as Head Start
  • Engaging in translation services as part of the Kenyon Latino Studies concentration

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 1 - Education

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 3 courses in the following two areas:

2 natural science courses on health-related topics: 

  • HIV/AIDS in Global Context (BIOL 102)
  • Biology of Female Sexuality (BIOL 104)
  • Pests, Parables, Plagues & Poisons (BIOL 191)
  • Microbiology (BIOL 328)
  • Virology (BIOL 375)
  • Healthy Psychology (PSYC 330)

1 social science course on health issues:

  • Medical Anthropology in Biocultural Perspective (ANTH 358)
  • Ethnomedicine in Africa (ANTH 471)
  • Sociology of Health and Illness (SOCY 224)

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

  • Conducting research or volunteering with public health agencies during study abroad

  • 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

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 2 - Health

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 1 course in the following three areas:

1 environmental studies course: 

  • Introduction to Environmental Studies (ENVS 112)
  • Field Experience: Environmental Outreach (ENVS 251)
  • Sustainable Agriculture (ENVS 253)
  • Geographic Information Science (ENVS 261)
  • Seminar in Environmental Studies (ENVS 461)

1 natural science course on ecology or conservation:

  • Energy in Living Systems (BIOL 115)

  • Conservation Biology (BIOL 106)

  • Solar Energy (CHEM 108)

  • Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 110)

1 course on social, political, or cultural aspects of the environment:

  • Anthropology of Food (ANTH 320)

  • Environmental Economics (ECON 336)

  • Global Environmental Politics (PSCI 363)

  • Religion and Nature (RLST 481)

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as: 

  • Volunteering at the Brown Family Environmental Center of Kenyon College

  • Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns

  • Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals

  • Conducting research or volunteering with environmental agencies during study abroad

  • Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping

  • Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 3 - Environment

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 3 courses in the following two areas:

1 natural science course on agriculture: 

  • Pests, Parables, Plagues & Poisons (BIOL 191)

  • Ecology (BIOL 228)

  • Plant Biology (BIOL 233)

  • Environmental Plant Physiology (BIOL 245)

2 courses on social, political, or cultural aspects of agriculture:

  • Anthropology of Food (ANTH 320)

  • Sustainable Agriculture (ENVS 253)

  • Seminar in Environmental Studies (ENVS 461)

  • Feast, Fast, Famine (HIST 428)

  • Sociology of Food (SOCY 233)

 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 and activities
  • Working on the business management or marking side of a commercial farm
  • Volunteering or working on the Kenyon Farm

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 4 - Agriculture

5. YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT

Empower the next generation of change makers. 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 in Development, take 3 of the following courses:

  • Human Sexuality and Culture (ANTH 350)

  • Child Development (PSYC 323)

  • Psychology of Women (PSYC 346)

  • Psychology in Context (PSYC 350)

  • Sociology of Heath and Illness (SOCY 224)

  • Human Sexualities (WGS 121)

  • Topics in Masculinity (WGS 232)

  • Transnational Feminisms (WGS 242)

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

  • Service required for the Psychology in Context course

  • Service or volunteerism acquired through the Psychology Department’s Off Campus Activity Program

  • Service or volunteerism acquired as part of the Center for Community Engagement

  • Service at the local domestic violence shelter, New Directions

  • Service at other local agencies that service the community, such as AMIGOS

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 5 - Youth in Development

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, distance learning, and more.

If you choose Community Economic Development, take 1 courses in each of the following 3 areas:

1 economics course: 

  • Microeconomics (ECON 101)

  • Macroeconomics (ECON 102)

  • Economics of Development (ECON 331)

  • International Trade (ECON 338)

  •  

1 course in math or computer skills:

  •  

  • Statistics (MATH 106)

  • Calculus I (MATH 111)

  • Introduction to Programming (SCMP 118)

1 course on cultural, social, or political dimensions of development:

  • Anthropology of Development (ANTH 357)

  • Politics of Development (PSCI 342)

  • Globalization (PSCI 361)

  • Global Poverty, Policy and Politics (PSCI 366)

  • Social Justice (RLST 380)

  • Wealth and Power (SOCY 223)

  • Sociology of Food (SOCY 233)

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 (needs to be pre-approved)

  • Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair

  • Website design or online marketing

  • Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization

Downloadable Description: Peace Corps Prep Track 6 - Community Economic Development

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