The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is proud to introduce an accelerated, one-year master’s degree program track in sustainable development practice created exclusively for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs).
Situated within the School’s Master of Development Practice (MDP) degree, this innovative program track recognizes the depth of training, resilience, and field experience that RPCVs bring to graduate study, allowing them to complete their MDP in just 12 months rather than the traditional 21 months.
The new track was developed in consultation with the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), a nonprofit serving RCPVs by promoting peace, friendship, and volunteerism in partnership with the global community, and addressing the needs of current and returning volunteers.
The Peace Corps Track is offered within the same rigorous, collaborative environment as the full STEM-designated MDP program, bringing RPCVs together with other students committed to tackling the most pressing challenges of sustainable development, both locally and globally.
It’s particularly fitting that the Humphrey School is the first school of public affairs to offer a degree track exclusively to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, given the role of its namesake, Hubert Humphrey, as an architect of the program.
While serving in the U.S. Senate, Humphrey first proposed the idea of a peace corps in 1957 and even coined the name. He continued to champion the program when President John F. Kennedy formally established the Peace Corps in 1961.
Applications are now being accepted for the first cohort in fall 2026.
Building on a strong tradition
Peace Corps volunteers are assigned to serve in one of more than 60 countries in specialty areas such as agriculture, community economic development, education, health, and others.
During their two-year assignments in country, they become immersed in the complexities of development: working across cultures, adapting to limited resources, and building partnerships for change.
“The Humphrey School’s MDP program is designed with the same spirit,” said David Wilsey, director of the MDP program and a RPCV himself—he served in Ecuador. “We emphasize practical, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development.”
Students in the Humphrey School’s MDP program are required to take part in an international field experience in the summer after their first year, usually serving on a team working with a nonprofit organization, or a public- or private-sector client engaged in some dimension of sustainable development.
The first year of the degree program is focused on training students for their field experience, Wilsey said. So between that and the field work itself, “a substantial amount of the work our students spend in the program is comparable to what Peace Corps volunteers are doing during their service,” he said. “This new track gives them a streamlined path to leverage their field experience while earning an advanced degree.”
With approximately 240,000 RPCVs in the U.S. since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, the Humphrey School is responding to a demand for an accelerated graduate program that takes into account the experiences that Peace Corps volunteers have gained during their international placement.
Alumni experiences
The Humphrey School already has a rich history of Peace Corps alumni in its MDP program, with more than 20 RPCVs earning their MDP since the degree program was established a decade ago.
Many RPCVs have found the development practice curriculum to be an ideal next step after their service. It sharpens their skills and positions them for leadership roles in government, nonprofits, and international organizations.
“I would not have wound up in the MDP program if it were not for my Peace Corps service, and I am very grateful for both,” said Megan Butler (MDP ‘15), who served in El Salvador. “The MDP program helped me understand my Peace Corps service within the greater international development context, and helped me build upon the skills I gained in the Peace Corps in very complementary ways.”
Christina Licari (MDP ‘20), who spent her Peace Corps assignment in Benin, has similar sentiments. She said the new track will “[bridge] lived experience with technical training. The Peace Corps provides unmatched insight into community-led development, while the Humphrey School offers the analytical, strategic, and evaluative skills needed to turn that insight into long-term, scalable change.”
Isaac Giron (MDP ‘17), who did his Peace Corps service in Togo, said the highlight of his time at the Humphrey School was his summer field experience.
“I viewed it as a Peace Corps 2.0, where I drew on every ounce of my experience, and supplemented it with the new tools and skills I gained from the MDP program,” said Giron. “I felt like a super Peace Corps volunteer.”
Those admitted to the track are also eligible for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship, which offers financial assistance to RCPVs who want to pursue graduate studies.
“The result of this new track is a more affordable, focused graduate experience that builds directly on the values and skills of Peace Corps service,” said Wilsey. “We’re excited to offer this new pathway for RPCVs who want to accelerate their graduate studies while honoring the value of their service.”
Those interested in the MDP/RPCV track can find more information on the Humphrey School’s website, or by contacting the Admissions Office at [email protected].
