The Applied Community and Economic Development (ACED) sequence is an interdisciplinary program that enables those who are passionate about social change through service to take their careers to the next level. The sequence is designed for returned Peace Corps Volunteers and students with other development experiences (e.g., AmeriCorps, nonprofit work). The Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development coordinates these programs for Fellows, who spend an intense year on campus followed by 11-month paid professional practice. ACED sequence students have a graduate assistantship in the fall and spring semesters on campus prior to field work. Students pursuing this sequence receive a solid and relevant educational opportunity to pursue careers in community and economic development in the United States and around the world.
A student applying to a master's program must:
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.
You may only apply to one of the Applied Community and Economic Development programs at a time.
You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 9+ hours of coursework in a master's program.
You will need to have successfully completed an undergraduate economics class. If you do not meet this requirement, you may still be admitted into the program but you will be expected to take this course before beginning graduate study.
Upload your current resume into the application system.
Write and upload a two-page statement of purpose. Your statement should address:
Submit a sample of your academic writing.
Submit the names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.
Upload one of the following:
Complete the graduate assistantship application and the teaching preferences form available through the School of Kinesiology and Recreation. Only applicants selected for both admission and the graduate assistantship are admitted to the ACED sequence.
Applicants who submit all materials according to the posted instructions and by the posted deadlines, and whose materials indicate potential for success in their chosen program, will complete a required interview (by phone or in person).
Term | Application Deadline |
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Fall (August) | February 1 |
The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.
To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,
Graduate assistants receive
See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.
Name | Office | Phone | |
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Dane Myers | Stevenson 435 | StevensonCenter@IllinoisState.edu | (309) 438-7090 |