Master of Science Engineering (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

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.

Students choose between a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. A minor is available. The advertising and public relations major stresses an integrated approach. Students may choose a focus in advertising or public relations, but they will take courses in both to prepare them for common practice in the field.

Why Study Advertising And Public Relations At Grand Valley?

• The curriculum is geared to the demands of the industry's ever-changing standards and includes courses recommended by national panels of advertising and public relations educators and professionals.
• Faculty members specialize in teaching communication concepts and skills that are relevant and in-demand. They have academic accomplishments and stellar professional resumes representing a variety of backgrounds in the field.
• 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.
• Hands-on experience with real clients in classes, internships, GrandPR (a student-run PR firm), and the National Student Advertising Competition, in which our students have placed five times as national finalists.
• Valuable industry connections through networking and via membership in local student chapters of the American Advertising Federation and the Public Relations Student Society of America.

The program offers a broad and rigorous curriculum, including field, laboratory, classroom, and research experiences to best prepare students for a broad range of geoscience-related career opportunities.

The program prepares students to use a combination of geology and chemistry to study the earth, solve problems related to our environment, and find mineral and energy resources.

Why Study Geology-Chemistry At Grand Valley?

• Students are immersed in a community of knowledgeable, accomplished faculty members that is complemented by invaluable learning experiences outside of the classroom.
• Students can take part in field studies and research where they use their geological knowledge in real-world situations.
• Individually mentored research opportunities are available to undergraduate students.
• Students frequently attend and/or present their work at national, regional, or state professional meetings.
• The Geology Club organizes events such as on-campus speakers, field experiences, and conferences to offer networking, industry knowledge, and real-world experiences.

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 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 chemistry department goal is to provide rigorous preparation for students whose career paths require expertise in biochemistry. Additionally, faculty members strive to contribute to a chemically literate society through teaching (with classrooms, labs, and research), scholarship, and service.
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, a chemistry minor, and a certificate in green chemistry.
Programs are certified by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

Why Study Biochemistry At Grand Valley?

• Faculty Attention. Beyond the freshman year, our courses become smaller and more intimate. All upper-division courses are taught by Ph.D. chemists with specialized training and research expertise. Chemistry faculty members have won many Outstanding Teacher, Pew Teaching Excellence, and Distinguished Undergraduate Mentoring awards from the university.
• Hands-on Laboratories. Students gain extensive experience in laboratories, conducting experiments, synthesizing new molecules, and operating advanced research-quality instruments.
• Research Experiences There are opportunities for students to contribute to genuine scientific research on novel projects while receiving one-on-one mentoring from faculty members. Many students travel to professional meetings with their faculty mentors to present research findings and network with other researchers.
• Employability. Outstanding demand for graduates in local, regional and national industries including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and environmental fields. Students are able to start gaining industry experience while earning their degrees with paid internship positions.
• Preparation for Further Education. Students are well prepared for Master's and PhD-level graduate programs leading to a career in research. Many Biochemistry majors enter medical school, dental school, veterinary school or other healthcare-related training.

 Students earn a B.A. or B.S. in GSI by taking courses organized around interdisciplinary global themes. Students also choose two world regions to study in more depth. 

Why Pursue Global Studies And Social Impact At Grand Valley?

• Plan a course of study around global and social justice issues such as immigration, human trafficking, and geotourism.
• Learn to think in an integrated, interdisciplinary way about issues affecting people across the globe.
• Develop aptitude in intercultural competency and communication through experiential learning.
• Gain important foreign language capabilities.
• Build skills in research methods and statistics.

Students are prepared for engineering careers and leadership roles through programs that integrate academic studies with hands-on learning and paid professional experiences in actual engineering companies. Grand Valley also offers a graduate program in engineering for those who want to expand their knowledge and skills.

Why Study Mechanical Engineering At Grand Valley?

• Program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.
• Extensive hands-on and project-based learning in small, student-focused classes.
• Three semesters of paid cooperative-education work experience prior to graduation in recognized domestic and international engineering companies.
• Strong support from industrial partners who fund many engineering scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as sponsor Capstone design projects.
• A nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school for our graduates

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 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.