Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

at Grand Valley State University USA

This versatile program allows students to achieve individual goals while serving diverse interests. Students have the opportunity to pursue graduate programs in broad areas such as population genetics, organismal biology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and natural resource management. Optional emphases are offered in natural resources and aquatic sciences.

Internships offer hands-on learning while project and thesis opportunities strengthen critical thinking and presentatio skills.

Why Study Biology At Grand Valley?

• Programs can be tailored for professionals to make them more competitive for job placement or advancement.
• Research opportunities are offered to all graduate students; some will collaborate with faculty on ongoing research and others will find or create research opportunities independently.
• Individualized, planned programs of study established by the students and their advisors ensure a unique learning experience designed to meet individual goals.
• The aquatic sciences emphasis provides the opportunity to conduct research at the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
• Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. A majority of students receive competitive graduate assistantships that provide a stipend and full tuition waiver, as well as some teaching experience.

The curriculum is flexible and includes both a strong core of course requirements and multiple elective offerings to allow students to pursue their particular media interests. It prepares students to enter the job market as journalists or other related media careers, developing gateway skills of reporting, writing and production in print, television, radio and online-based media.

Why Study Multimedia Journalism At Grand Valley?

• Students have opportunities to become involved in student media - newspaper, radio, and TV - to gain experience and prepare them for internships and related hands-on experiences.
• The area is media rich, there is a top 40 TV market with four commercial stations, public TV/radio stations, and more than 50 radio stations. Area print media include four daily newspapers and 15 weekly newspapers, and many minority, arts, business, and other specialty publications. All area media produce and present Internet-based content.
• Students may apply up to 15 internship credits toward the 120 needed for graduation.
• Our faculty all possess experience in the field of journalism - including our permanent full-time faculty as well as our part-time adjunct faculty.
• There is always a need for new media content, and multimedia journalism graduates leave GVSU ready to go to work satisfying the public's need to know.

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in sociology are offered. The B.A. requires third-semester proficiency in a foreign language, while the B.S. requires intermediate-level statistics. A minor is also available.

A sociology degree serves as a strong base for several graduate programs, including occupational therapy and social work.

Why Study Sociology At Grand Valley?

• The Sociology Department is a community of critical scholars who analyze the context of social interaction and the construction of difference in society.
• Our Social Science Data Center offers intern and research assistant experience in active field research. Students work closely with faculty in all stages of project development, conduct, analysis, and publishing. Projects include life course, environmental issues, and social attitudes. Partners include environmental organizations, community groups, and the city of Muskegon.
• Our Internship program offers up to nine course credit hours for work experience. Students develop an analytical protocol in consultation with the Internship Director, and turn in written analysis of their observations and insight.
• The Sociology Club meets regularly throughout the academic year, engaging in fundraising; social, career, and graduate school planning activities; and providing a forum for discussing topics relevant to the discipline.
• The Colloquium Speakers Series brings experts and community activists on campus to talk about important and controversial issues. Students and the GVSU community join the discourse throughout the year to discuss racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, the environment, and ways to a better future.

Two curriculum options: traditional full-time, two year program or the hybrid full-time, three year program (for students who must maintain employment throughout the program due to life commitments.) Both lead to an entry-level Master of Science in occupational therapy. Completion of all prerequisite coursework; a minimum of 50 hours of work, volunteer, and/or job shadow experience with a licensed OT; and the previous attainment of a bachelor's degree are required before starting either program.

Why Study Occupational Therapy At Grand Valley?

• Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Associatio.
• One hundred percent of GVSU occupational therapy graduates are employed in the field.
• Over the past three years, Grand Valley has had an overall pass rate of 100 percent on the NBCOT Board Exam.
• OT is considered one of the top careers for the future with a growth rate of 26 percent in the next eight years.

The program provides a broad and rigorous curriculum, including field, laboratory, and classroom experiences with an emphasis on inquiry instruction to best prepare students to be effective teachers.

Why Study Earth Science At Grand Valley?

• In addition to knowledgeable, accomplished faculty members, the Geology department provides an excellent learning community and invaluable learning experiences outside the classroom.
• Students often conduct field studies and educational research where they can apply their earth science knowledge in real-world situations.
• Individually mentored educational, curriculum, or geologic research opportunities are available to undergraduate students, a rarity among similar programs at other universities.
• Students routinely attend and/or present their work at national, state, or regional professional meetings.
• The student-run Geology Club meets regularly and organizes events such as on-campus speakers, field experiences, and attendance at local, regional, and national conferences.

A Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) in general management covers diverse areas of management, allowing for the combination of interests in human resources, management information systems, operations management, and more. The management department also offers targeted majors in:

• Entrepreneurship
• Human resources management
• Management with an emphasis in MIS
• Operations management
• Supply chain management

Why Study Management At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members with distinguished credentials and business expertise work closely with students to form 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 mentorships, available in all business areas, allow you to earn money while gaining valuable business experience. Internships are set up to relate to your field of study and are scheduled around your classes.
• Take classes in the heart of the thriving business environment that is downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
• Network with major corporations and gain access to internships and jobs.

Students can choose a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), with emphases available in theoretical mathematics, applied mathematics, and secondary certification.

Minors in mathematics are also available, including minors for elementary and secondary certification. Depending on one's major, it may be possible to add a minor in mathematics with only a few additional courses. Speak to your advisor for details.

Why Study Mathematics At Grand Valley?

• Students will develop strong communication, critical thinking, mathematical modeling, and coding skills in courses where they learn by doing, not just by listening. These logical and critical thinking skills developed through a math major or minor are skills that are highly sought after by employers.
• Opportunities to participate in research through funded summer or academic year research programs or coursework and students present research results at seminars and conferences both on campus and at regional and national meetings.
• Special programming for study abroad and internships allow students to earn credit toward major requirements.
• The mathematics department is a recognized national leader in innovative and effective approaches to mathematics instruction. Faculty members are highly trained with Ph.D.s in mathematics or mathematics education and actively focused on continuously improving their teaching.
• National recognition for mathematics teaching emphases by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics/Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The program leads to teacher certification for visual art in the Michigan public schools at the primary and secondary levels. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Why Study Advertising And Art Education At Grand Valley?

The program emphasizes the training of committed artists who desire to work in the field of teaching after their graduation. Art education students:

• Introduce the importance of the visual as a tool for participatory learning across the disciplines and in community settings.
• Receive intensive studio training that enriches students' individual roles as artists and prepares them for diverse teaching environments.
• Experience a comprehensive curriculum that includes educational theory, community-based arts education, and the role of technology in the classroom.
• Benefit from a program that provides opportunities for service learning and for professional development.
• Complete the program with K-12 certification to teach visual arts in the State of Michigan.

The program engages students in observation, experimentation, and theoretical study of various phenomena of nature. A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics is offered. Students can also choose a minor in physics or there is an option for secondary teacher certification.

Most courses can only be taken in sequence. Physics majors should consult with their faculty advisors or the department chair at the earliest opportunity for degree planning.

Why Study Physics At Grand Valley?

• The AIP 2009 report noted the GVSU physics department as being one of the top four universities in Michigan in terms of number of graduates.
• Students can expect an excellent liberal education with student-tailored physics courses and programs.
• Active, enthusiastic, caring, and dedicated faculty members are engaged in excellent teaching, scholarly activities, and service. Smaller size upper-division classes ensure more personal attention.
• Academic research projects with faculty members provide hands-on learning in the areas of acoustics, astronomy, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, and medical physics.
• Outreach events throughout the year immerse students in learning outside of the classroom and include Michigan's Science Olympiad and the Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camp.

The Executive MBA (EMBA) program offers an intentional learning opportunity in the context of everyday business situations for experienced professionals. The program is designed for organizational leaders who have set their sights on an executive leadership role.