Bachelor of Arts in Public and Nonprofit Administration

at Grand Valley State University USA

This major is designed to address the unique position of sport in the global economy. Sport management students acquire knowledge and skills to work in a wide-ranging sport industry and are prepared to pursue graduate degrees, if they desire.

Sport management majors receive a Bachelor of Science degree; students are encouraged to pursue a related minor. In addition, a certificate in sport coaching is available.

Why Study Sport Management At Grand Valley?

• The program offers a strong foundation in liberal arts; coursework is designed to develop a high level of competence to make a positive impact in the sports environment.
• The combination of coursework and experiential learning accommodates the diverse professional preparation needs of undergraduate students.
• There are many experiential opportunities that promote intellectual inquiry and develop sound professional ethics.
• Additional opportunities include volunteer and internship experiences locally, nationally, and internationally, to better prepare students for the professional workplace.

In addition to studying artists and their work, art historians study the interpretation of visual material and how it changes over time. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Why Study Art History At Grand Valley?

• Examine the roles of visual media from diverse cultures and historical periods to gain an understanding of context and a global outlook that are necessary in our changing world.
• Learn in small classes that ensure individualized attention from faculty members at every level of the program.
• Benefit from a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to pursue a minor or double major while at GVSU.
• Develop the analytical abilities that are fundamental for the world of work and for engaged citizenship.
• Acquire the skills of self-advocacy essential for life after graduation.

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. This basic and applied science includes the study of thought, action, and emotion. Psychologists study how people influence and interact with one another, how they develop, and the role that biological mechanisms play in psychological processes.

Why Study Psychology At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members have diverse interests and training that cover the field of psychology with both breadth and depth, so there are a wide range of courses available in the curriculum.
• Offering a high quality, student-oriented education is the focus in psychology.
• Students are immersed in an atmosphere of inquiry, integrity, engagement, community, curiosity, and creativity among peers, staff, and faculty.
• There are opportunities for advanced undergraduate psychology students to work closely with a faculty member on research. There are also internship opportunities to work with organizations outside the university.
• Students have many study abroad opportunities to choose from.

Choose from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree after completing 42 major-specific credits. The curriculum allows students to determine their own course of study, balancing creative and professional writing interests. Students also complete an internship to enhance their writing skills.

For students who wish to add to their current major and enhance their writing, the department offers the option to minor in writing.

Why Study Writing At Grand Valley?

• The writing major involves liberal arts training in which students become critical readers, careful thinkers, and skilled writers.
• The department offers one of the few independent undergraduate writing majors in the country.
• Students who want to focus on professional or technical writing can do so in a program that exposes them to the latest technologies for print and web environments.
• The department offers students a variety of extracurricular writing activities including a student-run literary journal, a visiting writing series, a student reading series, an organization for professional writers, a student-produced department newsletter, and opportunities for travel to writing conferences.
• Students may choose to complete a Distinction in Writing, a program that encourages them to pursue excellence beyond the classroom.

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares students for a variety of conditions that limit people's ability to function. Grand Valley graduates are prepared to help such individuals and groups overcome these limitations.

The B.S.W. requires 120 semester credit hours. The program is built on a liberal arts foundation plus 31 hours of cognate and international courses. The required courses complement 48 credit hours of professional social work courses, which emphasize CSWE core competencies and foundation practice behaviors.

Topics include: social work practice, human behavior in context, values and ethics, social and economic justice, diversity, policy, research, and critical thinking.

Why Study Social Work At Grand Valley?

• The social work program provides a foundation curriculum in a high-quality learning environment that prepares students for success in the community social work concentration.
• Through the combined efforts of the faculty, staff, and the advising center, students are provided with the personal advising and support they need to get their degree, pursue a master's degree, or start their careers.
• Students learn from engaged faculty, many of whom are nationally known for their contributions in diverse areas of the social work profession.
• The School of Social Work hosts several faculty-led International programs. These programs are typically two-week-long programs with many opportunities to be involved in the social work process in a variety of settings.
• Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Majoring in geography provides students with the knowledge and technical skills to find long-term, place-based solutions that are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.

Both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered. In addition to the general geography degree, there are four distinctive areas of emphasis:

• Climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency planning
• City and regional planning
• Environment and global development
• Geospatial technology using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite imagery

Why Study Geography At Grand Valley?

• Coursework includes research and community engagement opportunities that provide hands-on, real-world experience and networking connections.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and planning are in the top 10 hot jobs in the country.
• Students acquire skills in research and analysis using the latest technology, leading to exciting, well-paid jobs both foreign and domestic, all while enhancing graduate school admissions.
• Career preparation and skills for academia, business, government and non-profits.
• The 2019 median pay for a geographer with a bachelor's degree was $81,540 per year and $39.20 per hour.

A strong hands-on emphasis characterizes the program. The curriculum integrates production experience with insights offered by media history, theory, and criticism.

Why Study Film And Video At Grand Valley?

• A strong hands-on emphasis characterizes the program. The curriculum integrates production experience with insights offered by media history, theory, and criticism.
• Faculty members have a variety of experience and bring a broad range of knowledge and proficiency to the program.
• There are many opportunities for hands-on learning through internships and local production projects, as well as opportunities to exhibit work through public screenings and a peer-reviewed academic journals. There are opportunities to produce projects for real clients in and outside of the classroom.
• Student organizations offer opportunities for industry practice, such as the student-run television station, radio station, newspaper, cinematography club, film screening clubs, among others.
• The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

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.

Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Students spend five semesters completing their general education and core science courses, followed by three semesters of professional courses. Prerequisite science courses include chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, and physics. After admission to the program, students complete professional coursework, which includes 18 weeks of clinical rotations at an affiliated hospital laboratory

Why Study Medical Laboratory Science At Grand Valley?

• Our well-established program provides a strong curriculum, knowledgeable faculty, and clinical placements to prepare students for the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification exam.
• Students enjoy small class sizes, cohort experiences, and clinical rotations at hospital affiliate laboratories.
• Clinical courses are taught in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, located in the heart of the medical mile, in Grand Rapids, MI.
• Two students are selected yearly to receive the Peter P. and Patricia R. Renucci and Family Scholarships.

The Master of Science in taxation (M.S.T.) program is for students interested in expanding or continuing their education in taxation. It includes a minimum of 33 credits as described below:

• Prerequisites (if needed)
• Core courses in taxation
• Taxation or other business electives

Why Study Taxation At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members consult with firms and meet regularly with the Accounting Advisory Board, which includes partners of West Michigan firms and business leaders, to remain immersed in the field.
• Students can pursue the degree part- or full-time to fast track their studies.
• Students examine substantive tax law and enhance their analytical and research skills.
• The Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus brings students to the heart of the business center of downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
• Accredited by the AACSB International.