 Cornell
University offers an additional option in its Master of Professional
Studies (Agriculture and Life Sciences) degree program, combining
interdisciplinary academic course work with Peace Corps field
experience. You can earn a Master’s degree by completing approximately
two semesters of intensive on-campus study followed by a two-year
related overseas assignment with the Peace Corps. Students
may elect many of the same courses in agricultural and related
fields as for a Master of Science degree, however, the M.P.S.
program offers the opportunity to carry out an applied project
rather than the traditional research thesis for a master’s
degree.
The program is administered
by International Programs of the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences at Cornell.
The Peace Corps
Option can be pursued in the following fields:
• Animal
Science • Applied
Economics & Management • Biological
and Environmental Engineering • Horticulture • International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD)• Education
• Food Science
and Technology • Natural
Resources • Plant
Biology •Plant
Breeding • Plant
Pathology • Plant
Protection • Pomology
• Crop & Soil Sciences
• Vegetable
Crops
**for IARD - the two years of experience can come after you do your first year of classes instead of before.
What are
the program requirements?
The candidate must
apply individually to both the M.P.S.
Agriculture and Life Sciences Program at Cornell and the Peace
Corps. On acceptance the student will engage in a three-part
program:
On-Campus
Program
The on-campus academic
training provides an opportunity for students to acquire knowledge
in selected fields of study, to develop professional relationships
with selected faculty, and to become more prepared for the
field assignment with the Peace Corps.
Each student will enroll
in appropriate course work for two full academic semesters,
beginning in most cases in the fall. Satisfactory completion
of 24 credit hours of course work related to the candidate's
professional interest and agreed upon by the student's Special
Committee of academic advisors is required.
Cornell does not prescribe
a specific curriculum for M.P.S. students. In consultation
with their Special Committee, students select a program of
study tailored to their professional interests and needs.
In developing an individualized program of study, students
can draw on faculty members and course offerings from across
the university.
In addition to their
academic advisors, students in the M.P.S./Agriculture and
Life Sciences with a Peace Corps Option program will have
a support team comprised of
-
a Cornell faculty
member serving as academic coordinator/advisor; usually
a member of their Special Graduate Committee
-
the Sr. Associate
Director of IP CALS, James
Haldeman;
-
and the campus
Peace Corps Coordinator.
Field
Experience
After the two semesters
of academic work, the student will undertake his/her Peace
Corps assignment. During the field experience, the student
and faculty advisor will stay in contact and share new knowledge
and experiences relating to the M.P.S. project paper to be
written based on the field experience.
Former Peace Corps
volunteers who may be currently enrolled in the M.P.S. International
Agriculture and Rural Development program or the M.P.S. International
Development program at Cornell can be a valuable resource
to the student before and during their Peace Corps field experience.
Project
Paper
Following the field
experience, the candidate will prepare and submit a problem-solving
project paper under the supervision of his or her Special
Committee. The paper will draw on the Peace Corps experience
and what has been learned at Cornell. The project paper may
analyze and evaluate the execution of a particular program,
the development of a plan of action for dealing with a selected
problem, the development of materials or methodology for field
programs, or the development and execution of research appropriate
to a selected problem of development. Six credit hours are
awarded for satisfactory completion of this paper.
Students participating
in this program are encouraged to enroll for one additional
semester of study at Cornell following their Peace Corps experience.
An additional semester will provide an opportunity for the
student to share his or her field experience with other students
and faculty through class discussions and special seminars
and to get feedback and suggestions for better understanding
and integrating elements of the field experience. The student
could enroll in additional academic courses to complement
and reinforce prior academic and field experience.
The student’s Special
Committee will determine when all of the degree requirements
have been met. In some cases a third semester maybe required
if the Special Committee finds that a student is unable to
meet all of the degree requirements in two academic semesters.
Who is it for?
The M.P.S./Agriculture and
Life Sciences with a Peace Corps Option is suited for several
types of people:
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