SEARCH:
HOME | GATEWAYS | ACADEMICS | ADMISSION | DIRECTORIES | VISIT | MyESF | SITE INDEX

Home | Gateways | Academics | Admission | Directories | Site Index

SEARCH:

• The Graduate School ▼
  
  • The Graduate School Homepage
  • Message from the Dean
  • Contact The Graduate School
• Admissions & New Students ▼
  
  • Academic Programs
  • Admissions Information, Applications and Instructions
  • Housing, Food & I.D. Services
  • Orientation, Registration & New Student Information
  • Special Opportunities
  • Video FAQ: What do current students say about ESF?
  • Campus Safety
  • Visiting ESF and Campus Map
• Funding ▼
  
  • Expenses, Financial Aid & Employment
  • Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students
  • Banking & Money
• Academics ▼
  
  • Academic Programs
  • Research
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academic Deadlines
  • Graduate Degree Requirements and Forms
  • Graduate Policies
  • Thesis/Dissertation Information and Publishing
• Graduate Student Life ▼
  
  • The Grad Student Community
  • International Students
  • Syracuse Community
  • Housing, Food & I.D. Services
  • Health & Safety
  • Transportation
  • Weather
  • ESF "Traditions"

SUNY-ESF and the Peace Corps Master’s International Program

ESF, in cooperation with the Peace Corps, now offers opportunities for participation in four different Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree programs, each of which incorporates Peace Corps volunteer service as an integral component of the graduate degree. Each of these degrees typically includes approximately 2 semesters of coursework here on the ESF campus, and then utilizes the Peace Corps volunteer service to meet the internship or capstone experience requirement of the MPS degree.  Students remain matriculated in the MPS degree program during their 27 month Peace Corps service overseas, but incur no cost for tuition or fees for the 6 credit hours they will earn during this time. Following the completion of the Peace Corps service, students return briefly to campus to present a capstone seminar, and then graduate with their MPS degree.

Applying to ESF’s PCMI programs

Applying for entry into the Peace Corps Master’s International options for ESF’s Master of Professional Studies degree programs is among the options which may be selected within our regular application procedure using the on-line graduate admissions portal.

If you have additional questions about ESF’s PCMI program, please contact Scott Shannon, Dean of the Graduate School at sshannon@esf.edu, or if you have more generalized questions regarding Peace Corps service or the Peace Corps application process, please visit the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov.

Specific PCMI compatible degree programs:

On the following pages you will find ESF’s four current PCMI compatible MPS degree programs.  Each is identical to the regular MPS program described within the departmental sections of the ESF catalog, however, we have added the specific Peace Corps service component to illustrate how it fulfills the internship or capstone experience requirement.

Environmental Studies Master of Professional Studies ‐ Peace Corps Master’s International Option

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Environmental Studies is a 39 credit hour experience blending academic and professional coursework with application to environmental affairs and sustainability. The Peace Corps Master’s International Option provides an opportunity for students to undertake a unique synthesis component in international volunteer service. The degree program will consist of at least 3 semesters of academic study, and at least 6 credit hours of Peace Corps service.

Core (18 credits)

• EST 696. Peace Corps MI Pre-Service Seminar (0)
• EST 600. Foundations of Environmental Studies (3)
• EST 608. Environmental Advocacy Campaigns and Conflict Resolution (3)
• EST 612. Environmental Policy and Governance (3)
• EST 626. Concepts and Principles of Sustainable Development (3)
• EST 640. Environmental Thought and Ethics (3)
• EST 650. Environmental Perception and Human Behavior (3)

Natural Sciences (3 credits) All students take one natural science course. Typically this would be one of the following courses, though alternatives may be considered in consultation with the major professor.

• EFB 516 Ecosystems (3)
• EFB 518 Systems Ecology (4)
• EFB 523. Tropical Ecology (3)
• EFB 600. Toxic Health Hazards (4)
• EFB 611. Topics in Environmental Toxicology (3)
• EFB 623. Marine Ecology (5) 

Research / Technical Methods (6 credits) All students take two research or technical methods courses, typically from the following list and typically to support their learning objectives:

• APM 635. Multivariate Statistical Methods (3)
• EFB 519. Geographic Modeling (3)
• ERE 550. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
• EST 550. Environmental Impact Analysis (3)
• EST 604. Social Survey Research Methods for Environmental Issues (3)
• EST 605. Qualitative Methods (3)
• EST 702. Environmental and Natural Resource Program Evaluation (3)
• FOR 556. Introduction to Raster GIS Analysis (3)
• FOR 557. Practical Vector GIS (3)
• FOR 558. Advanced Topics in GIS (3)
• LSA 500. Computer Graphics I (3)
• LSA 501. Computer Graphics II (3)
• LSA 552. Graphic Communication (3)
• LSA 640. Research Methodology (3)

Generalized / Thematic Area (6 credits) All students take two courses in consultation with their major professor. The thematic area should be used to substantively prepare the student for the Peace Corps MI synthesis experience.

Peace Corps MI Synthesis (6 credits)

• EST 898. Professional Experience in the Peace Corps (5)
• EST 796. Special Topics ‐ Peace Corps Capstone Synthesis Report & Presentation (1)

Environmental Science Master of Professional Studies ‐ Peace Corps Master’s International Option

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Environmental Science is a 39 credit-hour experience aimed at professional applications of environmental knowledge. The Peace Corps Master’s International Option provides an opportunity for students to combine a blended academic/professional degree program with a unique synthesis component in international volunteer service. The degree program will consist of at least 3 semesters of academic study, and at least 6 credit hours of Peace Corps service.

Required Courses (21 credits)

• ENS 696 - Peace Corps MI Pre-Service Seminar (0)

• Applied Social Sciences in the following categories: environmental policy and regulation, and democratic processes. (9 credits)
• Environmental Science (6 credits)
• Methods Courses emphasizing applications of technical knowledge (6 credits)

Area of Study (12 credit hours) Environmental Communication, Environmental Policy and Democratic Processes, Environmental and Community Land Planning, Environmental Systems and Risk Management, or Water and Wetland Resource Studies.

Peace Corps MI Synthesis (6 credits)

• ENS 898. Professional Experience in the Peace Corps (5)
• ENS 796. Special Topics ‐ Peace Corps MI Capstone Synthesis Report & Presentation (1)

Forest Resources Management Master of Professional Studies ‐ Peace Corps Master’s International Option

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS.) degree in Forest Resources Management is a 30 credit-hour coursework-based degree that enables students to increase, define, and integrate their natural science and social science knowledge and expertise in forest and natural resources management. The degree is designed to be the first professional degree in forest and natural resources management. It is appropriate for students with a baccalaureate degree in a natural resources-related discipline interested in enhancing their knowledge of forest and natural resources management, and for students with other baccalaureate degrees seeking an expertise in forest and natural resources management. At least 24 course credits must be taken in residence at ESF. The Peace Corps Master’s International Option provides an opportunity for students to combine a blended academic/professional degree program with a unique synthesis component in international volunteer service. The degree program will consist of at least 2 semesters of academic study, and at least 6 credit hours of Peace Corps service.

Required Courses (15 credits)

• FOR 796 - Peace Corps MI Pre-Service Seminar (0)
• FOR 560 Principles of Management (or equivalent) (3)
• FOR 690 Capstone in Natural Resources Management (3)
• Environmental or scientific writing or demonstrated writing skills (3)
• Graduate Statistics (3)
• Research Methods (3 credits) Statistics, Quantitative Methods, or GIS

Area of study or concentration courses (15 credits)

• Course work can be chosen from one of 4 areas of study: 1) Ecology and Ecosystems, 2) Management, 3) Economics, Governance and Human Dimensions, and 4) Monitoring, Analysis and Modeling
• FOR 898 - Professional Experience in the Peace Corps (5)
• FOR 796. Special Topics ‐ Peace Corps MI Capstone Synthesis Report & Presentation (1)

Environmental Resources Engineering - Master of Professional Studies‐ Peace Corps Master’s International /Environmental Management Option

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Environmental Resources Engineering is designed to enhance technical and problem-solving skills in applications including brownfield development and management of hazardous wastes, solid waste, energy resources, and water resources. The Peace Corps Master’s International/Environmental Management Option provides an opportunity for students to combine traditional environmental engineering coursework with business management and environmental law or policy.  This program provides breadth and perspective for the student aspiring to managerial responsibility in public or private employment, with a unique synthesis component in international volunteer service.  The degree program will consist of at least 2 semesters of academic study, and at least 6 credit hours of Peace Corps service.

Required Courses (24 credits)

• Engineering (12 credits)
• Natural Sciences (3-6)
• Resource Management (3-6)

Peace Corps MI Synthesis (6 credits)

• ERE 898. Professional Experience in the Peace Corps (5)
• ERE 796. Special Topics ‐ Peace Corps MI Capstone Synthesis Report & Presentation (1)