School of Public Health, Peace Corps Partner to Offer Master's International Program

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 15, 2008) -- The University at Albany School of Public Health has been selected to partner with the International Peace Corps Master's International (MI) Program.  Joining a group of nine other Schools of Public Health involved in the Program, including Johns Hopkins University, Boston University and George Washington University, the UAlbany School of Public Health will offer the program beginning in 2009.

The MI Program was established in 1987 by the Peace Corps to meet the increased need for international Peace Corps volunteers with higher levels of education and technical skills and to enable universities to provide internationally-focused experiences for students. 

Students accepted to the MI Program will earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and spend 27 months serving in the Peace Corps while earning the degree. Following their experience in the Peace Corps, students will return to the School of Public Health for one final semester to complete work toward the MPH degree.

Participation in the MI Program expands upon other global health initiatives underway within the School of Public Health, including the establishment of the Center for Global Health and the School's strong connection to the local Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) organization.

"It is an honor to have our School of Public Health selected as a partner for the Master's International Program," said Provost Susan Phillips. "The School has made global health a priority and its partnership with the Peace Corps allows students international opportunities."

"The MI program fits naturally with the University strategy for internationalizing the University at Albany by encouraging our students to experience international service learning opportunities," said Ray Bromley, vice provost for International Education. 

"I am extremely pleased to have our School selected as a partner in the MI Program," said SPH dean Philip C. Nasca.  "We join a small and very select group of Schools of Public Health offering this unique opportunity for students to practice public health in an international setting while working towards the MPH degree.  Our students will come to the program with global health knowledge and skills gained from their academic preparation and be prepared to capably serve the Peace Corps."

Through its partnership with the New York State Department of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College, and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York. The school serves as the academic anchor of the East Campus, the biotech hub of the university's life sciences research, which includes the Cancer Research Center, home to the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics and the Center for Functional Genomics.

Students and faculty at UAlbany's globally-oriented School of Public Health study the most profound health issues facing us today: the origins of disease such as cancer, the threat of bioterrorism, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases, the lack of affordable and accessible health care for individuals and families, environmental hazards, substance abuse and social violence, maternal mortality in developing countries, the promises and threats of genetic engineering, and protecting food and water supplies.

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