Peace Corps Fellows Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)1. How will prospective Fellows be identified, evaluated, and selected during their application process?
Prospective Fellows will apply to our graduate program (and be accepted) in the same manner as non-Coverdell Fellows are. Fellows will be identified by filling in a “Coverdell Fellows” check-off box on the application form used by the department as we process applications. We also expect we will identify prospective Fellows by review of the required statement of purpose that is part of the application process. We can accommodate a wide variety of COS dates of potential applicants because we admit students throughout the year. Applications are due on the following dates for starting the program for fall semester (February 15), spring semester (September 15), and summer semester (January 15). |
2. What are the program requirements?
Coverdell applicants must comply with University policies and meet our admission requirements. The current admission requirements for the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering are: 1) overall GPA of 2.75; GPA in the major of 3.00, 2) GRE with preferred minimum scores of 20%, Q 50%, AW 10% or valid fundamentals of engineering (FE) certificate preferred, 3) two letters of reference, 4) statement of purpose, and 5) resume. Admission exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis where warranted and the Coverdell Fellows Director (Dr. Mihelcic) and Department Graduate Director (Dr. Ergas) will communicate if needed to review case-by-case situations.
3. What kind of orientation will I receive?
All Coverdell Fellows will participate in our department’s ‘Graduate Student Orientation’ and our University’s ‘New Graduate Student Orientation’. These two orientations take place at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. In addition, Coverdell Fellows will participate in a separate half-day workshop co-hosted by our department and other Coverdell Fellow programs at USF (e.g., Public Health, Civil and Environmental Engineering). This workshop will cover all requirements and expectations of the Coverdell Fellowship and introduce Fellows to other RPCVs on campus.
4. What type of financial aid is available?
At a minimum, all Coverdell Fellows will receive a Dean’s Discretionary Fellowship that provides $2,000 and most importantly, makes them eligible to receive a tuition waiver which covers approximately 80% of in-state tuition/fees which results in significant savings on tuition/fees. Coverdell Fellows will have access to the following types of financial support (discussed in greater detail below):
5. My undergraduate degree is in a field other than engineering. Can I pursue a graduate degree in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering?
Yes. At the level of the Master's degree, you must complete a number of undergraduate engineering pre-requisite courses that will make you eligible to pursue professional licensure. This will also make you eligible to apply for the MCE, MSCE, MEVE, or MSEV degree offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. You should compplete some of the undergraduate pre-requisite courses before applying for admission -- enough to demonstrate that you have the proper background, preparation, and capabilities in math, science, and engineering. Then, if you are admitted to our graduate program, you may complete the remainder of the undergraduate pre-requisites concurrently with your graduate curriculum.
Here is a list of undergraduate pre-requisites: http://www.usf.edu/engineering/cee/documents/prerequisites-non-engineers-v2.pdf
6. What degrees and certificates are offered as part of the USF Civil and Environmental Engineering Fellow's program?
7. Are there other degrees offered at USF other than engineering for the fellows program?
Yes, there are three other Coverdell Fellows programs at USF in:
Coverdell applicants must comply with University policies and meet our admission requirements. The current admission requirements for the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering are: 1) overall GPA of 2.75; GPA in the major of 3.00, 2) GRE with preferred minimum scores of 20%, Q 50%, AW 10% or valid fundamentals of engineering (FE) certificate preferred, 3) two letters of reference, 4) statement of purpose, and 5) resume. Admission exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis where warranted and the Coverdell Fellows Director (Dr. Mihelcic) and Department Graduate Director (Dr. Ergas) will communicate if needed to review case-by-case situations.
3. What kind of orientation will I receive?
All Coverdell Fellows will participate in our department’s ‘Graduate Student Orientation’ and our University’s ‘New Graduate Student Orientation’. These two orientations take place at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. In addition, Coverdell Fellows will participate in a separate half-day workshop co-hosted by our department and other Coverdell Fellow programs at USF (e.g., Public Health, Civil and Environmental Engineering). This workshop will cover all requirements and expectations of the Coverdell Fellowship and introduce Fellows to other RPCVs on campus.
4. What type of financial aid is available?
At a minimum, all Coverdell Fellows will receive a Dean’s Discretionary Fellowship that provides $2,000 and most importantly, makes them eligible to receive a tuition waiver which covers approximately 80% of in-state tuition/fees which results in significant savings on tuition/fees. Coverdell Fellows will have access to the following types of financial support (discussed in greater detail below):
- All Coverdell Fellows will receive a Dean’s Discretionary Fellowship of $2,000 when they enroll in the program. Receipt of this fellowship makes the Fellow eligible for a tuition waiver which covers approximately 80% of in-state tuition/fees which will result in significant savings on tuition/fees.
- Consideration for Graduate Teaching Assistantship or Graduate Research Assistantship.
- The Director will make Fellows aware of College and Professional Society scholarships specific to engineering.
5. My undergraduate degree is in a field other than engineering. Can I pursue a graduate degree in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering?
Yes. At the level of the Master's degree, you must complete a number of undergraduate engineering pre-requisite courses that will make you eligible to pursue professional licensure. This will also make you eligible to apply for the MCE, MSCE, MEVE, or MSEV degree offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. You should compplete some of the undergraduate pre-requisite courses before applying for admission -- enough to demonstrate that you have the proper background, preparation, and capabilities in math, science, and engineering. Then, if you are admitted to our graduate program, you may complete the remainder of the undergraduate pre-requisites concurrently with your graduate curriculum.
Here is a list of undergraduate pre-requisites: http://www.usf.edu/engineering/cee/documents/prerequisites-non-engineers-v2.pdf
6. What degrees and certificates are offered as part of the USF Civil and Environmental Engineering Fellow's program?
- M.S. in Civil Engineering
- M.S. in Environmental Engineering
- Engineering for International Development Concentration
- Graduate certificate in Water, Health, and Sustainability
7. Are there other degrees offered at USF other than engineering for the fellows program?
Yes, there are three other Coverdell Fellows programs at USF in: