Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

at Grand Valley State University USA

The Bachelor of Business Administration in human resource management prepares you to be the business, nonprofit, and government organizational specialists who respond to employee concerns, administer labor and employment laws, and design policies enabling organizations to achieve strategic goals.

A Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management emphasizes the management of relationships between employers and employees. The program uses cutting-edge concepts, case studies, real company projects, experiential projects and internships to prepare students for future leadership roles.

Areas of study include diversity and inclusion, recruiting and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, employment law, and labor relations.

Why Study Human Resource Management At Grand Valley?

• The human resources faculty, with distinguished credentials and business expertise, work closely with students to establish career goals and select courses to achieve those goals.
• Current technology is integrated into courses by use of the Internet, e-commerce, and enterprise resource planning.
• Internships and mentorship programs are available, so students can earn money while gaining valuable business experience.
• There are valuable networking opportunities available with major corporations for internships and job placement.
• Take classes in the heart of the thriving business environment in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

The wildlife biology major prepares you to attain and succeed in positions focused on maintaining sustainable populations of wildlife species at the local, regional, state, federal, and international level. The program requires you gain an understanding of both wildlife and of ecosystems.

Why Study Wildlife Biology At Grand Valley?

• Engage in field and laboratory learning environments that allow you to study wildlife and their management from a variety of perspectives.
• Experience a focused curriculum that instills practical skills within a liberal arts context, leading to a well-rounded professional that can address conservation concerns on local and international levels.
• Qualify for sought-after positions with state and federal wildlife agencies.
• Have opportunities for internships, study abroad, field study, and mentor-guided student research to complement coursework.
• Engage in extracurricular activities to practice the skills needed in the wildlife professions.

The major is administered by the psychology department. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in behavioral neuroscience. The B.S. degree requires students to take the degree requirement sequence from the psychology department. The B.A. degree requires third semester proficiency in a foreign language.

Why Study Behavioral Neuroscience At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members have diverse interests and training that covers the field of neuroscience with breadth and depth, so a wide range of courses are available, as well as research opportunities.
• Students can expect a high-quality, student-focused education in the field of behavioral neuroscience.
• Undergraduate behavioral neuroscience students have opportunities to work closely with a faculty member on a research project.
• Students are immersed in an atmosphere of inquiry, integrity, engagement, community, curiosity, and creativity among faculty and staff.
• Learning opportunities are available through study abroad in 25 countries.

The CVS program is a 20-month cohort program, which begins in the fall each year. Students are offered a position in one of the sonography majors: Cardiovascular Sonography (adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular sonography) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography-General (abdominal and obstetrics/gynecology). Admittance is selectively granted to students who have completed two years of required general education and prerequisite courses. Student applications for placement in the fall cohort are due by February 1 every year. Applications are available online.

Why Study Cardiovascular Sonography At Grand Valley?

• GVSU is the only baccalaureate level sonography program in the state of Michigan. Strong curriculum and knowledgeable, clinically practicing faculty members prepare students for leadership within the field.
• Students enjoy small class sizes, a cohort educational experience, and clinical education at multiple physicians' offices and hospitals. The clinical site placements expose students to diverse experiences, allowing them to network across multiple health systems and develop broad skill sets.
• Laboratory facilities utilize state-of-the-art sonographic equipment to prepare students for current and emerging techniques and protocols.
• A commitment to quality is demonstrated through continuous accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
• Students are qualified to take national board registries through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography before graduation, allowing them to become board-registered sonographers immediately upon graduation. GVSU's sonography programs are the only programs in the State of Michigan with this distinction.

The program requires a minimum of 36 credits. Requisite courses, from statistics, computer science, and professional science, provide students with a strong foundation in data science. This is an applied program for the working professional.

Why Study Data Science And Analytics At Grand Valley?

• Job postings for data science grew 57 percent for the first quarter of 2017. Data-related jobs are expected to grow by 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• This flexible program is designed with the working professional in mind, offering evening classes.
• The program offers experiential learning through field experiences and collaborative assignments and projects.
• First-rate faculty members are trained professionals with advanced degrees in data science.
• The program features a strong emphasis in the fundamentals of data science.

Those who major in statistics get experience and receive training in verbal and written communication skills, which are essential in today's society. Students learn the theory and application of statistical methods and get hands-on experience analyzing real-life data. Numerous minors in statistics, as well as graduate degrees in applied statistics and biostatistics, are also available.

Why Study Statistics At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members who are experts in the field pay close personal attention to students.
• Opportunities exist for students to work collaboratively with faculty members on a variety of research initiatives.
• The coursework ensures widespread application of statistical methods and hands-on experience with analyzing real-life data.
• Students have access to an extensive list of undergraduate courses where they can learn about the branches of statistical methodology.
• The program boasts a nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school.

Philosophy graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The curriculum is designed to facilitate interdisciplinary study.

Why Study Philosophy At Grand Valley?

• The program emphasizes learning the history of philosophy as the foundation for further study and application.
• Courses are offered in all major contemporary schools of philosophical thought as well as in non-Western traditions.
• The study of philosophy is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers.
• Study abroad programs directed by faculty members are especially beneficial for students. The GVSU Summer School in China represents a rare opportunity to study many aspects of Chinese culture, including Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian philosophy in China.
• The Undergraduate Teaching Apprentice Program, Philosophy Colloquium/Speakers Series, and the Philosophical Society of GVSU offer out-of-classroom opportunities.

The anthropology program is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students can major in anthropology or they can combine the study of anthropology with other majors or minors. The following anthropology degrees are offered:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

A certificate in applied anthropology is also available to degree-seeking students. You may also choose to minor in archaeology or anthropology.

Why Study Anthropology At Grand Valley?

• Anthropological perspectives provide students with unique abilities to contribute to standard job skills such as: diversity sensitivity, management, interviewing techniques, research/program design, statistical/survey techniques, teaching/training, and communication.
• Business Insider notes anthropologists are hired by such companies as Microsoft and Google for "cultural expertise."
• Participate in program-sponsored, locally based field schools in archaeology and cultural anthropology. Explore opportunities for fieldwork and study abroad with faculty.
• Postfield independent research is conducted through the anthropology lab.
• Scholarship awards and membership opportunities in Lambda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society.

• The Bachelor of Arts degree in music promotes the study of music within the context of a liberal education curriculum.
• The Bachelor of Music is designed for students with exceptional ability and particular interest in performance.
• The Bachelor of Music Education prepares students to teach music and meet certification requirements for Michigan's elementary and secondary schools.
• A minor in music is also available.

Why Study Music At Grand Valley?

• Studying music at GVSU, within the context of a liberal education foundation, prepares students to answer the call of a rewarding career and life.
• As an undergraduate-only program, our students have greater opportunities to learn and perform.
• Small class sizes allow students to engage directly with faculty members who are committed to understanding and encouraging each student's unique talent and needs.
• Professors are performers, international competition winners, conductors, composers, theorists, scholars, and acclaimed teachers.
• Grand Valley is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The goal of the information systems program is to provide students with the intellectual foundations and experiences necessary to use information technology effectively in their chosen careers.

Cognate classes emphasize communication skills and business fundamentals, including all classes required for a minor in general business.

Why Study Information Systems At Grand Valley?

The information systems program is unique in several ways:

• By choosing electives and minors in related subject areas, students can further tailor their degree to fit their individual interests and career goals.
• Theoretical foundation and practical experience offer excellent preparation for the job market, along with valuable industry experience.
• By focusing on the underlying principles behind cybersecurity, our program prepares students to handle future cybersecurity challenges, in addition to today's threats.
• Most faculty members hold doctoral degrees and have a breadth of experience in the industry.
• Dedicated, state-of-the-art computer labs offer relevant, hands-on learning.