Master of Arts in Biology (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

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.

Students of the public and nonprofit administration program learn how to serve the public interest ethically, effectively, and efficiently. They may choose to focus on:

• Community development and planning
• Community health
• Local economic development
• Public and nonprofit budget and finance
• Public personnel management

Why Study Public And Nonprofit Administration At Grand Valley?

• All students participate in service learning courses and internships, through which they interact within the community, apply new skills, and build professional networks.
• Many public and nonprofit administration students participate in study abroad programs and spring break service learning trips.
• Over 90 percent of recent graduates are successfully placed (employed, attending graduate school, or both).
• The Steelcase Library's Johnson Collection on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is a valuable resource to students and one of the most comprehensive collections in the country on philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit management.
• Students are required to complete one internship and may register for a second, which gives them the experience they need to succeed, make better career decisions, and jumpstart their career by helping them gain employment more quickly.

The curriculum is designed to prepare you to act ethically and effectively in the public sector at the federal, state or local level; in policy analysis advocacy and evaluation positions; in health care management and administration; nonprofit management and leadership; and criminal justice management and administration.

The M.P.A. program offers the following concentrations:

• Criminal justice
• Health administration
• Nonprofit management and leadership
• Policy analysis, advocacy, and evaluation
• State, regional, and local governance

Why Study Public Administration At Grand Valley?

• The M.P.A. serves both part- and full-time students with a flexible delivery that includes evening and weekend courses, workshops, and web-enhanced learning.
• The curriculum is supportive of our students' diverse career goals and provides concentrations to help achieve those goals.
• Students can participate in research opportunities that have local and regional impact.
• Professional internship opportunities are available and encouraged. Students can participate in up to two, three-credit internships.
• Accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration for more than 20 years.

The marketing major is for students who like interacting with people, are intrigued by human behavior, and like being rewarded for what they do. A B.B.A. degree is offered with the following emphases available:

• Distribution and logistics
• General marketing
• Professional sales

Why Study Advertising And Public Relations At Grand Valley?

• Courses are taught by faculty members who consult on real business issues, are experts in their business discipline, and have strong academic credentials.
• Internships, set up to relate to the field of study and scheduled around classes, let students earn money while getting valuable business experience.
• Network with successful business leaders for advice, internships, and job possibilities.
• Take classes in the heart of Grand Rapid's exciting business environment.
• Current and emerging technologies are integrated into courses to provide unique experiential learning.

Students can pursue an emphasis in ceramics, graphic design, illustration, jewelry and metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and visual studies. The program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

A studio art minor is also offered, requiring completion of eight courses.

Why Study The Visual Arts At Grand Valley?

• Incorporate creativity with the consideration of broader ethical, historical, scientific, and cultural ideas, fostering work that contributes to the public dialogue about those ideas.
• Work in small classes that ensure individualized attention from faculty at all levels of the program.
• Complete coursework in state-of-the-art facilities that ensure students acquire the skills essential for their chosen media.
• Benefit from a program that encourages collaboration across emphasis areas to support students' individual interests.
• Acquire the expertise necessary for participation in arts communities and for self-advocacy after graduation.

The integrated science major is designed for students seeking certification to teach at the elementary and/or middle school levels. It provides students with broad exposure in all of the sciences and emphasizes the connections among the scientific disciplines and their relevance to society.

Why Study Integrated Science At Grand Valley?

• Coursework is designed specifically for the major and taught using best practices identified by the research literature.
• Limited class sizes maximize interactions between faculty and students, as well as among students.
• There is a high success rate in passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification on students' first attempts.
• There are many opportunities to be extensively engaged in scholarship and professional growth, professional organizations, and conferences.
• Integrated science majors are active in the community and involved in service learning in area schools.

The communications studies program stresses skills, such as the analysis of written and visual communication, designing clear and informative messages, building persuasive appeals, and critically analyzing the persuasive appeals of others. The curriculum covers a wide variety of topics, including courses from other major programs within and outside the School of Communications relevant to communication studies.

It is possible to combine communication studies with other major or minor programs, such as advertising and public relations, business, marketing, health communication, multimedia journalism, writing, photography, philosophy, sociology, political science, digital studies, and more.

Why Study Communication At Grand Valley?

• Communication studies majors have flexibility, options, and electives within their curriculum.
• Faculty members are engaged teachers and active scholars with various and complementary areas of academic and professional expertise.
• There are many opportunities to develop talents and gain professional experience through the campus newspaper (Lanthorn), student-run television (GVTV), and radio (Whale), as well as with the visual and performing arts, and internships in professional settings (PBS/NPR) both on and off campus.
• Coursework trains students to apply communication theories and concepts in a variety of work settings, while demonstrating the ability to think strategically, solve problems, and act ethically and legally.
• Career opportunities are varied and wide-ranging for communications professionals.

Health Communication is one of four undergraduate majors offered by Grand Valley's School of Communications. Students take courses in the health communication core and biomedical sciences. The curriculum features a variety of topics and an experiential approach to learning.

Why Study Health Communication At Grand Valley?

• The program emphasizes a broad understanding of the field combined with a solid knowledge of specific technical skills.
• Students learn critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with an emphasis on learning-by-doing.
• Students frequently participate in creative performances, exhibitions, and publications related to their chosen major field of study.
• State-of-the-art facilities support current and emergent technologies and enhance student competence.
• Internships are available in a variety of professional work settings.

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.

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.