Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows | Michigan Tech Graduate School

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
John F. Kennedy

The Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program at Michigan Tech allows you to continue the path of service you followed while in Peace Corps. The program allows you to work in underserved communities while concurrently studying for your graduate degree. The typical program involves one academic year on campus, a year of VISTA or AmeriCorps service, and then return to campus to complete your degree. We are flexible enough to modify the typical program sequence to meet your academic goals, check out a full list of eligible graduate programs.

Step Up to Service Again

VISTA or AmeriCorps service allows you work in challenging environments with people who share your interests and motivation and to build professional relationships. You can apply your skills in a wide range of volunteer of volunteer opportunities: environmental protection, community and economic development, rehabilitation of degraded communities and sites, capacity building for underserved groups and communities, … anywhere your skills will help solve problems.

While enrolled in the Michigan Tech Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows program you receive a tuition scholarship of 33% of tuition. In 2018-2019 the value of this funding was $9000 over the course of the program. Students earn 1 credit for each semester of VISTA or AmeriCorps service and tuition costs for that credit are funded by Michigan Tech. VISTA and AmeriCorps members receive the Segal Education Award. In 2020 the Segal Award will be $6195 for 1,700 hours of service.

Students are admitted to their academic department and then are enrolled in the Coverdell Fellows Program. Academic admission requirements vary by department. While the departments have a rolling deadline we recommend that you complete an application for Fall Semester by January 1. For a full list of eligible graduate programs, see below.

Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, Michigan on the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula. The area is forested and remote with Lake Superior, the world’s largest body of fresh water, on three sides. Outdoor recreational activities abound.

How to Apply

Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows applicants apply using Michigan Tech’s free online application. Applicants must specify their interest in the Coverdell Fellows program on their application. Michigan Tech staff guide students through the AmeriCorps or VISTA application process once they are on campus.

For RPCVs who are not interested in the Coverdell Fellows program Michigan Tech offers the National Service Graduate Fellowship.

Potential graduate students who are not RPCVs may be interested in the Michigan Tech AmeriCorps/VISTA program.

Programs Offered

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science offers Applied Ecology, Forest Ecology and Management, Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, and Forestry programs to VISTA or Fellows students. Students interested in the VISTA or Fellows Forestry program can pursue either a Master of Science or Master of Forestry degree.

Core courses required for the degree prior to VISTA service will be determined with the approval of the student's faculty advisor. Students have the option of pursuing their degree through the Thesis Option, Report Option, or Coursework Option.

For more information about these VISTA or Fellows program please contact: forest@mtu.edu.

Biological Sciences

Students interested in pursuing the VISTA or Fellows Biological Sciences program can elect to complete their MS degree through either a Thesis Option or Report Option. The Thesis Option is intended for students who plan to conduct original scientific research in the course of their VISTA or Fellows program.

For more information about the VISTA or Fellows Biological Sciences program please contact: biology@mtu.edu.

Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Students interested in pursuing the VISTA or Fellows Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering program can elect to complete their MS degree through either a Thesis Option or Report Option. The Thesis Option is intended for students who plan to conduct original scientific research in the course of their VISTA or Fellows program.

For more information about the VISTA or Fellows Civil or Environmental Engineering program please contact: cee@mtu.edu.

Environmental and Energy Policy

Students interested in pursuing the VISTA or Fellows Environmental and Energy Policy program can elect to complete their MS degree through either a Thesis Option or Report Option. The student's faculty advisor will determine core courses required prior to VISTA service.

For more information about the VISTA or Fellows Environmental and Energy Policy program please contact: socialsciences@mtu.edu.

Geology

Students interested in pursuing the VISTA or Fellows Geology program can elect to complete their MS degree through either a Thesis Option or Report Option. The Thesis Option is intended for students who plan to conduct original scientific research in the course of their VISTA or Fellows program.

For more information about the VISTA or Fellows Geology program please contact: geo@mtu.edu.

Industrial Archaeology

The VISTA or Fellows Industrial Heritage and Archaeology program requires a minimum of 38 credit hours. Students can choose to pursue the degree through either a Thesis Option or Report Option.

For more information about the VISTA or Fellows Industrial Archaeology program please contact: socialsciences@mtu.edu.

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