
Kinesiology & Recreation - Applied Community & Economic Development
Overview
Learn to harness the transformative power of recreation, sport, parks, and
leisure for community and economic development
The Kinesiology and Recreation Applied Community and Economic
Development (KNR ACED) sequence is an interdisciplinary graduate program
designed for individuals passionate about driving social change through
service. This unique sequence prepares students to become leaders in
leveraging recreation, sport, parks, and leisure to promote sustainable
community and economic development.
Designed especially for returned Peace Corps Volunteers, as well as those with
other development experiences (e.g., AmeriCorps, nonprofit work), the KNR
ACED sequence provides the tools, experience, and support needed to take
your career to the next level.
The KNR ACED sequence is coordinated by the Stevenson Center for
Community and Economic Development, in collaboration with the Recreation
Administration faculty in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, and is
designed to blend academic training with hands-on professional experiences.
In your first year as a Fellow, you will engage in an intensive academic year
focused on coursework in Recreation Administration, complemented by
interdisciplinary courses in Political Science, Sociology, and Economics. In your
second year, you will apply your learning through an 11-month paid
professional practice, gaining real-world experience in a development-focused
organization or agency.
KNR ACED sequence students have a graduate assistantship, teaching
courses in ISU’s Active for Life program, in the fall and spring semesters on
campus during their first year as a Fellow.
Graduates of the KNR ACED sequence leave the program equipped with the
knowledge, practical skills, and service-driven mindset to pursue impactful
careers in community and economic development—transforming people,
places, and communities through the power of recreation, sport, parks, and leisure.
Point of Pride
Illinois State’s ACED Fellows Program provides an AmeriCorps Education Award premium match. Ours was the first Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program in community and economic development in the U.S.
Graduate Advisor
Dane Myers
(309) 438-7090
Stevenson 435
Dr. Bin Lizzo
(309) 438-1857
McCormick SFC 160
Schedule a Visit
Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.
How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must:
- Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
- If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
- If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
You may only apply to one of the Applied Community and Economic Development programs at a time.
GPA
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.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
Coursework
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.
Resume
Upload your current resume into the application system.
Statement of Purpose
Write and upload a two-page statement of purpose. Your statement should address:
- Your motivations for graduate school
- Your career aspiratoins when you complete your graduate degree.
- How you feel an Illinois State University KNR ACED degree, with an
emphasis in Recreation Administration, will help you reach your career goals. - Any additional information about your interest in our program
Writing Sample
Submit a sample of your academic writing.
Recommendation Contact Information
Submit the names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.
Service Document
Upload one of the following:
- Letter of Service (Applied Community & Economic Development Fellows Program)
- Official Description of Service (Peace Corps Fellows Program)
Assistantship Application
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.
Interview
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).
Application Deadlines
- Fall (August) Term — February 1
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantship Information
Before the February 1 deadline, complete the Active for Life graduate
assistantship application via the ISU Jobs site for graduate assistantships.
Both the academic admission application and the graduate assistantship
application must be submitted by February 1st for full consideration for the KNR
ACED sequence. KNR ACED applications are also welcome to apply for other
on campus graduate assistantships that match their skill sets and career
interests, in addition to the Active for Life position.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,
- be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
- be in good-standing
- be qualified to teach in the School of KNR Active For Life program
- be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).
Benefits
Graduate assistants receive
- monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
- a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
- a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment
Costs & Funding
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.
I Want to Learn More
Request Information Form
Loading form...