Master's International Program (MIP)

The College of Architecture and Urban Studies, School of Public and International Affairs offers a Master of Urban and Regional Planning or a Master of Public and International Affairs degree in conjunction with the Peace Corps -- Master's International Program (MIP). The program is designed to prepare students for their Peace Corps service in non-governmental organization (NGO) and urban development and subsequent careers in urban planning, policy-making, and international development. Elective and required core courses cover such subjects as community and economic development, international development planning and policy, land use and environmental planning, public and non-profit organization, and management.

Peace Corps

"Life is calling.
How far will you go?"
  • Students spend the next two years overseas as Peace Corps Volunteers, integrating their experiences and graduate studies.
  • Students return to Virginia Tech at the beginning of the fourth academic year to complete their degree (this can take up to two semesters).
  • Financial support is available for qualified students on a competitive basis.
  • Minority students are encouraged to apply.
  • Only U.S. citizens are eligible to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Admission

Prospective students apply to both the Graduate School and the Peace Corps separately, indicating the MIP Program in both applications. To ensure timely processing of application materials students should have submitted all of the required application materials to the Peace Corps before arriving on campus for their first semester.

  • It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their Peace Corps application materials are completed on time.
  • Given the normal Peace Corps placement cycle, new MIP students are strongly encouraged to begin their graduate studies in the Fall Semester.
  • While prospective MIP students who meet admission requirements for the graduate degree programs in Urban Affairs and Planning will be admitted into the Program with the expectation that they will serve a full two-year term in the Peace Corps, the approval of applications for field service are made entirely by the Peace Corps.
  • Students admitted to either graduate program who do not receive Peace Corps field service invitations may compete their graduate studies as any other graduate student.

Curriculum

Students may apply to either the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) or Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) degree program (curriculum). The MURP is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Planning Association.

Further Information

  • If you are interested in the MPIA option and seek additional information, please contact Professor Wilma Dunaway (wdunaway@vt.edu; 540-231-5177).
  • If you are interested in the MURP option and seek additional information, please contact Professor Max Stephenson (mstephen@vt.edu; 540-231-7340).

Programs