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 an 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 apply to only 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 undergraduate courses in:
If you do not meet this requirement, you may still be admitted into the program, but you will be expected to take additional coursework before starting graduate study to remedy designated deficiencies.
Upload your current resume to the application system.
Write and upload a two-page statement of purpose. Your statement should address:
Submit a sample of your academic writing (at least five pages).
Submit the names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.
Upload one of the following:
Complete the Sociology, ACED sequence graduate assistantship application, available through the Stevenson Center. Only applicants selected for both admission and the sociology, ACED sequence graduate assistantship are admitted to the ACED sequence.
Check the job title before applying. An assistantship for anything other than sociology, ACED sequence will not fulfill the requirement for admission consideration to the program.
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).
GRE scores are not required for your application. However, if you wish to submit them, you may.
Scores do not play a significant part in our decision-making process for admission. GRE scores may help your application if you did not have strong undergraduate grades but do have strong GRE scores.
Use institution code 1319 if you want to submit your scores. It will not be held against you if you do not submit GRE scores as part of your application.
Term | Application Deadline |
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Fall (August) | March 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 | |
---|---|---|---|
Dane Myers | Stevenson 435 | StevensonCenter@IllinoisState.edu | (309) 438-7090 |
Paige Buschman | Stevenson Hall 437 | pebusc2@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-5945 |