Peace Corps Masters International: Program of Study

Peace Corps Masters International students will spend a full academic year in residence at Florida State University prior to the commencement of their Peace Corps service. In that time they will complete a total of 24 semester hours, with at least half of that coursework representing the core courses required for the master's degree in English, Science, or Mathematics Education and the other half comprised of SIDES courses on education in developing countries and socio-cultural understanding.

Core courses in the four alternative teaching specializations and in the companion SIDES curriculum are detailed below. Peace Corps Masters International students will take:

English Education

LAE 5064 Reader Response to Literature: Research & Practice (3)
LAE 5736 Written Composition in Secondary School: Theory & Research (3)
LAE 5637 Issues/Trends in Secondary English (3) OR
LAE 5932 Reading Instruction for Teachers Secondary English (3)

Science Education

SCE 5340 Teaching and Learning in Science (3)
SCE 5140 Curriculum in Science Education (3)
SCE 5545 Diversity in Science Education (3)
SCE 5895 Nature of Science and Science Education (3)

Mathematics Education

MAE 5690 Ethnomathematics (3)
MAE 5691 Mathematics Learning & Teaching (3)
MAE 5146 School Mathematics Curriculum (3)
MAE 5865 Using History in Teaching of Mathematics (3)

AND

Sociocultural and International Development Education Studies

EDF 5935 ST: Schooling and Development in Third World Societies (3)
EDF 5935 Sociocultural Perspectives on Learning and Development (3)
EDF 5612 Education and Culture (3)
EDF 5853 Comparative Education Policy in Developing Countries (3)

Masters degree programs in each of the five program areas require 12-15 semester hours of core courses and at least 12 semester hours of elective credit. Thus, before joining Peace Corps, MI students will have completed all of the core courses and all of the electives for their eventual master's degree: 24 of the 32-36 hours required. This allows them the flexibility to choose, upon their return from Peace Corps service, whether to complete the Masters in SIDES (for those interested in going into careers in international educational development) or in Math, Science, English Education or MMED (for those interested in going into teaching careers in the U.S. or abroad).

For example, a student entering the MI program with an interest in Science Education would complete the core courses in Science Education and SIDES. After his/her service, the student could complete the MS in Science Education, applying SIDES credit to satisfy elective requirements in Science Education OR he/she could complete the MS in SIDES, applying his/her science education credit to satisfy elective requirements in that program.

Peace Corps service will not be treated as an "interruption" of studies or a deferment of degree completion, but as an integral part of the overall learning and career enhancement experience of the program. Peace Corps Masters International students will be supported during their two years abroad - both by Peace Corps and by University personnel - in reflecting upon their experience, continuing their learning, and finding ways to optimally apply and adapt the new techniques and understandings they have acquired to the needs of the communities and nations with which they will be working. To this end, students will have the opportunity to earn credit hours for the experience they acquire through long-standing internship, field experience and practicum offerings that are built into each of the participating programs. These include:

EDF 5935 Inquiry Practicum (2) (SIDES)
MAE 5908 Directed Individual Studies (1-3) (Mathematics Education)
SCE 5921 Colloquium (Science Education) (1-3)
LAE 5940 Field Laboratory Internship (3) (English Education)

Upon their return from Peace Corps service MI students will complete the remaining coursework required for the master's degree in one of the five programs listed above, and participate in the formal and informal mentoring of in-coming PCMI students through colloquia, student support groups, and service as teaching assistants for the EDF 5935 Schooling and Development in Third World Societies. They will also complete their final project or thesis based on their overseas experience. Returning MI students should be able to complete their master's degree in no more than 1-2 additional semesters.