Is it required for me to have a college education to join the Peace Corps?

Question

I want to join the Peace Corps, but every piece of information I read states that I have to have a college education before I can join. Well I went to a year of community college, but didn't go back because of finantial and family issues. Are they not going to let me join because I didn't go to four years of college?

Answer 1

The basic requirement is that you have a skill that a host country has asked for.

To take an extreme example, if you and 400 of the best glass-blowers in the world all applied, but no one in Kenya, Mali, Peru . . . wanted to learn how to blow glass, none of you would get invitations.

If, on the other hand, all you had was an 8th-grade education but you'd been a glass-blower since you were 6, studying with your mom, and no other glass-blower applied, and Kenya, Mali and Peru  all asked for glass-blowers, you'd get three invitations.

College isn't a requirement, but it is the fastest way to gain a skill that a host country wants, even if it is just teaching English in a school so far upriver that none of the Host Country Nationals want to go there.

Answer 2

It is required, but an associates degree should be enough to get your foot in the door depending upon what you majored in.

I know that they're always needing teachers, especially Miltie-lingual ones, and people with knowledge of business.

But you might be able to get a grant to pay for your schooling if you finish college and it's something they'll need in the Corps.

Answer 3

Yes, you must have a college degree.  My daughter taught English for two years in the Ukraine.  She needed a 4 year degree and experience teaching before they would take her.  She also did Habitat or Humanity and taught foreign students to read .  What do you want to do if you join the Peace Corps?  Most members are professional tradesmen, or doctors or nurses or engineers.  The idea is to get professionals to help the folks in other countries learn to take care of themselves.

Answer 4

http://www.peacecorps.gov/  

- will answer your questions.   Who knows joining an organization will lead to an educational pathway that suits you more than what you´ve experienced so far. good luck.

Answer 5

N O, For better information do a Yahoo Search on the Peace Corps!!

Answer 6

You haven't been sufficiently brainwa... trained yet.  Get ye to the University.  It's the second toughest job you'll ever love!

Answer 7

In some technical areas, they will accept a 2-year degree in lieu of a Bachelor degree, but if you have no degree, they do not want you. Sounds harsh, but that's just the way it is.

Answer 8

The Peace Corps is more and more competitive.  I served with two people without BAs.  One was a mason and the other was a certified EMT.  Another friend's boyfriend, served in Togo, with only a high school diploma, but was a mechanic and he fit a very specialized program.

If you don't have a degree you need to have very specialized skills.  It is harder and harder to get in these days.

Answer 9

No, but, it can help. Go to the link and it a short answer to see if you may qualify;

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shel...

Having a four-year college degree by the time you're ready to leave for the Peace Corps will help your chances of acceptance. But it isn't absolutely necessary, and for some programs work experience, relevant skills, and/or a community college degree can qualify you.

Answer 10

From what I know a college degree is required for service in the peace corps.  Why would you want to serve people anyway??  Isn't it nobler to rule in h**l?