FAQ

Your Questions Answered Here:

What if I'm a Returning Volunteer and want to obtain an MS or PhD in Civil or Environmental Engineering?

No problem. Contact Dr. James R. Mihelcic for further information.

What if I decide at any time to not enter the Peace Corps but just obtain my MS degree?

We understand that students may change their mind in regards to Peace Corps service during: 1) the application process, 2) after they have been accepted into the program, and 3) during their studies at Michigan Tech just prior to leaving for their PC assignment. Students accepted into the Master's International Program are accepted into our department's graduate program. Thus, it is not a problem for students to notify us of changes in their personal and professional lives. In this case, we need the student to notify us of their decision and we will work with the student to point them to the appropriate research group in our department so that they can fulfill the requirements for the MS degree.

Is financial aid available to Master's International students?

In the past some Master's International students have qualified for several forms of financial aid, including loans, hourly work (on and off campus), fellowships, part and full-time teaching and research assistantships. Students typically pay some expenses on their own. We can not guarantee financial aid for Master's International students; however, please note that we will work with you to identify possible sources of funding. Also realize that MI students do not pay tuition on 7 of the 30 semester credits required for the graduate degree and MI students currently receive a large discount on tuition if they have been "nominated" by the U.S. Peace Corps (nominated Master's International students currently pay $298/credit).

Can I receive a PhD under this program?

The Master's International program is not traditionally intended for PhD students. However, we do have one student in the program who is working on his PhD. For students who already own an MS degree and are interested in the PhD program, please contact us so we can discuss if this program will fit your professional interests and our graduate program.

It seems most Peace Corps assignments are related to Water Resource and/or Environmental Engineering. How about if I am interested in another area of Civil Engineering?

This program is a perfect fit for students interested in any aspect of civil and environmental engineering. Students have several electives available to take 8-15 credits of graduate coursework in an area they are interested in. In addition, even if a student is constructing a water supply system, there is still a strong component of construction engineering, structural engineering, & geotechnical engineering that is important to make the project succeed. In either case, employers value the Peace Corps experience, not necessarily the specific project the volunteer works on. We encourage all students to discuss their professional interests with us to see if the program can meet their needs.

I do not have a previous degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering. Can I apply?

We consider all students with an accredited engineering degree in any field. In addition, several students currently in the program do not have a first degree in engineering. We also have students in our traditional graduate programs with previous degrees in non-engineering fields (e.g., math, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, environmental science). These students have to take some "make up" work to ensure that their MS degree meets national accreditation standards. Dr. Mihelcic can notify you about what this "make up" work will entail. It usually means that you would have an additional 1-2 semesters of coursework prior to entering the Peace Corps.