About the Program

Through Bard’s MI Program, future Peace Corps volunteers gain valuable skills before starting their overseas assignment. The critical thinking, reasoning, and practical skills acquired at Bard, in addition to the themes and concepts learned, prepare MI students for meaningful service work, benefiting both the host community and the student.

MI students graduate from Bard with a master’s degree and enter the job market with the unique combination of an advanced degree plus two years of professional experience in an international setting. Peace Corps volunteers have the added benefit of receiving a stipend upon completion of service and one year of noncompetitive status to apply for federal jobs.

MI students engage in their Peace Corps assignment after finishing the first year of cources at Bard. After completion of their service overseas, MI students return for a final semester of instruction at Bard and work on the master’s thesis. Successful completion of the final semeter of classes and a public presentation of the thesis are the final requirements of the degree.