Grand Valley State University

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Allendale, MI
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Public
type
Small
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67%33%
student ratio
3,140
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Not Reported
in-state tuition | out-of-state tuition

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fall application deadline
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35 Departments and Programs
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Overview

Career-advancing Graduate Degrees in the Midwest

Established in 1960 just a few miles west of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Grand Valley State University has graduate programs that are designed specifically to prepare students for careers in business, public service, and the non-profit sector. The university was named the top Up and Coming Master's University in the Midwest by "U.S. News and World Report." The school outranked several notable competitors, including Butler University and Xavier University.

The university is home to more than 24,000 students. Of those, nearly 4,000 graduate students are pursuing advanced degrees in the university's 27 graduate programs. Graduate students can choose from a broad menu of degrees that range from criminal justice to education, nursing to social work.

Although Grand Valley State University boasts all of the resources of a major university, such as research centers and a vibrant social community, the school prides itself on its small class sizes and personalized attention to students.

A Variety of Graduate Programs

Grand Valley State University offers master's level degrees in the following areas: accounting, biology, biomedical sciences, biostatistics, business, cell and molecular biology, communications, computer information systems, criminal justice, education, engineering, English, health administration, health sciences, medical and bioinformatics, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, public administration, social work, and taxation.

While the requirements are different for each of the graduate programs, most require a minimum of 33 semester hours for completion. To meet these requirements, graduate students must take a combination of required courses, guided electives, and in some cases, internships.

All graduate students must complete their chosen degree program within 8 years from their start date. For graduate students transferring from another university, at least 24 credit hours of graduate education must be completed at Grand Valley State to earn a degree.

Professional Science Master's Degrees

Grand Valley State University offers three professional science master's degrees: an M.S. in Medical and Bioinformatics, an M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, and an M.S. in Biostatistics. Professional science master's degrees differ from traditional degrees in that they help students specialize in specific fields while teaching critical business and industry skills, such as communication, project management, and teamwork. These interdisciplinary programs are specifically designed to give students a broad educational background and ready them for a career in the health and science fields.

Students enrolled in the professional science master's program will have the opportunity to gain valuable business and industry experience through the programs' mandatory internship requirements. Recent internships have been completed at Van Andel Research Institute, Alticor, Walters Greenhouses, and Spectrum-Blodgett hospital.

Specialized Degrees in the College of Education

Grand Valley State University's College of Education has five master's programs to help educators meet professional and personal goals. Students can achieve a M.Ed. in general education, higher education, instruction and curriculum, leadership, literacy studies, school counseling, or special education.

Many of the master's degrees offered in the College of Education provide the opportunity for students to choose specializations in a specific area of study. For example, graduate students pursuing degrees in special education can choose to concentrate in early childhood development delay, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, or learning disabilities. All of the master's degrees in the College of Education stress real-life teaching skills for educators, such as classroom management, administration, and curriculum design.

Small Class Sizes Add a Personal Touch

Despite maintaining all the amenities and resources of a large university, Grand Valley State University still features small class sizes. This allows students to interact and collaborate with world-class professors who are leading authorities in their professions. All courses at Grand Valley State, including graduate programs, are taught directly by the faculty, not graduate assistants, teaching assistants, or substitutes.

Assistantships for Graduate Students

Grand Valley State University has an extensive assistantship program for graduate students. Both full-time and part-time students can apply for an assistantship, which provides a stipend and tuition credits. Full-time graduate assistants usually complete a 20-hour work week over a 16-week semester.

Assistantships are designed to give students insight and experience in their chosen fields of study. Graduate assistants are usually assigned to work within their own degree programs. However, there are some non-academic assistantships available at the university, including positions at the Autism Education Center, Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies.

Career Services for Graduate Students

Grand Valley State University hosts several yearly career fairs (with participation from nearly 500 employers) and exclusive employment opportunities through the Career Services Office. Ninety-four percent of Grand Valley State graduates are either employed in their field of study or pursuing an advanced degree.

Hundreds of Student Clubs

Grand Valley State University sponsors more than 300 clubs and organizations that range from faith-based clubs to performance groups. Graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of academic and professional clubs, such as the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, Graduate and Professional Student Association, and Master's of Social Work Student Organization

Three Conveniently-Located Campuses

In an effort to offer first-rate higher education to as many students as possible, Grand Valley State University has three conveniently-located campuses.

The main GVSU campus is located in Allendale, Michigan. Just 12 miles west of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the main campus attracts commuters and on-campus residents alike.

The Pew Grand Rapids campus is a satellite campus of Grand Valley State that is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. This downtown location is ideal for students taking part in internships and co-op programs.

The Meijer Campus of GVSU serves students living in and around Holland, Michigan. This satellite campus is just over a decade old, and it offers numerous graduate programs for those interested in continuing their education.

A Vibrant Underground Arts Community in Grand Rapids

Students attending the main campus at Grand Valley State University or the satellite Pew Grand Rapids campus have access to a vibrant arts community that features several local performance arts theaters, traditional museums, and other cultural attractions (including the historic Heritage Hill district) throughout Grand Rapids.