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Stevenson Center

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Program

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Peace Corps Prep

The program is open to students in any major and encourages you to maximize your time at Illinois State by engaging with your community and thinking globally. Peace Corps Prep students can interact with returned Peace Corps Volunteers and those currently serving through the Stevenson Center graduate programs around the world.

Graduate Program

Through coursework and field work, the ACED Fellows Program at Illinois State University enhances the skills of experienced students working to become the new generation of development specialists. We offer Master’s degrees in anthropology, applied economics, kinesiology and recreation, political science, and sociology.

  • Prior to starting classes in the program, applicants are required to have at least one year of full-time experience (or 1,700 total hours) in community development, social services, or a related area as either a paid professional or a volunteer. We value a broad variety of experiences in public, private sector, or not-for-profit organizations. Many of our Fellows have previous Peace Corps or AmeriCorps experience, but it is not required. Please contact us if you have questions about whether or not your previous experience will count towards the service requirement. 

  • ACEDF members pose in a group photo.

Fellows complete one year of full-time coursework and 11 months of hands-on professional practice with communities or organizations needing the skills and expertise our students possess.

For more information about our programs, please click the links below.

Celebrating Success

Stevenson Center alumni go on to work in a wide variety of leadership roles in NGO’s and in local, state, and federal government.

Meet Our Fellows Alumni

Visiting the Stevenson Center

Only a train ride away from downtown Chicago and St. Louis, and within driving distance of Milwaukee and Indianapolis, Illinois State University’s campus in Normal blends the comfort of the Midwest with easy access to adventure. In fact, Normal and sister city Bloomington have received these mentions--learn more about our community:

  • Normal was ranked the "Most Popular College Town" by Zillow and among the top 3 college towns in America by College Values Online. 
  • Bloomington-Normal was named one of the Best College Towns in America by the American Institute for Economic Research. That includes a #2 ranking in the “Arts and Entertainment” category!
  • Huffington Post named Bloomington one of the "11 Amazing Cities You’ve Never Thought To Live In, But Should."

Life in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois and Welcome to BN.

Schedule Your Visit

You can visit the Stevenson Center on any weekday during business hours. If you plan to visit, please contact us with potential dates, so that we can arrange for you to sit in on a class or two, meet with professors and students, etc. Advance notice will help make the most of your time.