Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship Program

About the Coverdell Fellows Program

Founded in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University (and formerly known as (Fellows/USA), the Coverdell Fellows Program is now a network of partnerships between the Peace Corps and more than 90 universities across the country. Competitively selected Coverdell Fellows undertake service internships in high-need American communities and receive financial aid while working toward their graduate degrees. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers may apply to enroll in a Coverdell Fellowship at participating universities at any time after successfully completing Peace Corps service.

Coverdell Fellowship in the Masters of Food and Nutrition degree program

The Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program (USA) is a graduate fellowship program that offers financial assistance to returned Volunteers who wish to earn, in this case, a degree in the Masters of Food and Nutrition (MFN) program. The MFN program officially became a Peace Corps Fellows program in December 2012. Aligning itself as a Peace Corps Fellows program illustrates the Peace Corps’ recognition of the MFN degree as one that academically builds upon returned volunteers’ practical international experience and provides the opportunity for returned volunteers to fulfill the Third Goal of the Peace Corps, which is to promote American understanding of the world and its people.

Financial Aid

A Coverdell Fellow admitted to the Masters of Food and Nutrition degree program will receive a partial tuition scholarship and a stipend (average $4,500) for assisting faculty with teaching and research. Notification of Peace Corps Fellow awards are sent out by mid-April.

Coverdell Fellows’ overseas projects and training will be reviewed by the Food and Nutrition faculty, and graduate credit (1-3 credit hours) for these experiences may be awarded towards the elective requirement. 

Admission Requirements

In order to apply for a Peace Corps Fellow position in the MFN degree program, returned volunteers must fulfill all the same application requirements as all MFN applicants in addition to submitting a copy of their signed Peace Corps Description of Service (DOS) document. The application deadline for Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows is March 15th.

The Coverdell Fellow’s overseas projects and training will be reviewed by the Food and Nutrition faculty, and graduate credit (1-3 credit hours) for these experiences will be awarded as appropriate towards the elective requirement. Coverdell Fellows must complete a fellowship in Food and Nutrition for 3 credit hours. The fellowship will be a practical cross-cultural experience focusing on dietary and nutritional concerns of an underserved community in the United States populations and will count towards the elective requirement. The fellowship will be tailored to the student’s professional development goals, unique skills, and the needs of the community partner. Internships provide the Coverdell Fellows with opportunities for experiential and service learning in preparation for future career paths.  Fellows are also expected to complete volunteer service during their time as a Fellow working towards the third goal of Peace Corps (To promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans).

Pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian:

Returning Peace Corp volunteers may wish to obtain the credentials to become a Registered Dietitian. In the United States, there is a demand for Registered Dietitians that have cross-cultural experience and can interact with diverse populations. To become a Registered Dietitian, an individual must: 1) complete didactic requirements as identified by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2) complete an approved 9-11 month dietetic internship, which includes experiences to enhance cross-cultural understanding, and 3) pass a national registration examination.

Coverdell Fellows who wish to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian, and who have a F&N/dietetic undergraduate degree may wish to combine their graduate studies with a dietetic internship. BGSU’s dietetic internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition to completing the Masters degree admission requirements, applicants must participate through the D&D dietetic internship-matching program. Coverdell Fellows who wish to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian, but do not have a F&N/dietetic undergraduate degree, should contact Carrie Hamady, Undergraduate Dietetics Director at carrieh@bgsu.edu. Dr. Hamady will review the student’s transcripts and help to plan a course of study to meet the didactic requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This may require one or more years of additional undergraduate coursework.