Health Sciences Communications
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: Nov. 8, 1999
Contact: Sarah Goodwin, Director, 404-727-3366 or sgoodwi@emory.edu.

Emory ranks 11th in alumni Peace Corps volunteers

Students combine Peace Corps service with master of public health degree

According to the Peace Corps, Emory University ranks 11th among colleges and universities in producing Peace Corps volunteers at schools with undergraduate enrollment of less than 5,000. In the Peace Corps' 36-year history, 264 Emory University alumni have joined the organization, so it's no surprise that Emory's Rollins School of Public Health now gives course credit for Peace Corps service to students in its master of public health (MPH) program.

Emory students receive course credit through the Peace Corps' Master's International (MI) Program, an opportunity for them to fill the more than 1,100 Peace Corps public health assignments in 36 countries in Africa, Latin America, Central Europe and Asia. Currently, Emory public health volunteers work in maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and water and sanitation projects.

Completion of the MI program requires approximately 18 months in residence at Emory and two years of Peace Corps service. MI students are awarded three credit hours toward the thesis/special study requirement for the MPH degree, contingent upon successful completion of overseas service as a Peace Corps volunteer. The program is designed to improve MI students' ability to make positive, sustainable contributions to improving the health and well-being of the communities in which they serve as Peace Corps volunteers. MI students also receive priority placements for Peace Corps service.

Information on the program is available at the following Emory and Peace Corps websites: http://www.sph.emory.edu/ih/masters or http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

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