Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

at Grand Valley State University USA

Finance is a very interesting and dynamic field that affects all areas of business and many areas of personal life. Finance majors gain specialization in a specific field by taking advanced courses in that area. Study abroad opportunities also exist to prepare students for a global society.

There is secondary admission to this program.

Why Study Finance At Grand Valley?

• All courses are taught by faculty who have strong academic credentials and are experts in the finance field.
• Current technology (Excel®, financial simulation, etc.) is used in the classroom and integrated into courses.
• Internships allow students to earn money and gain valuable business experience. An annual expo is held to make students aware of internship opportunities.
• The active portfolio management course offers students the opportunity to manage a stock portfolio of more than $250,000.
• The Gary L. Tilkin Finance Markets Center provides students with experiential learning opportunities utilizing databases such as WRDS (including CRSP and Capital IQ) and application-based exercises.

The photography program offers high-quality, student-centered, production and theory courses aimed at developing liberally educated professionals able to thoughtfully adapt and thrive in a variety of professional and creative environments.

A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree is offered. A minor is also available.

Why Study Photography At Grand Valley?

• A dedication to the education of intelligent image-makers that is neither constrained in a vocational training program, nor a narrow studio art emphasis alone, is what makes the photography program at Grand Valley distinct and valued in the state and region.
• The school has many ties with business, community, and cultural organizations, and has contacts with experts in a variety of areas in communications, which serve as outstanding resources both within the classroom and for internships.
• The diversity of courses offered allows students the opportunity to explore a variety of photographic methods and applications as they develop their personal expertise and interests.
• The program prepares students to engage graduate studies in fine art programs.
• Faculty members in photography have a broad range of professional experience and a dedication to teaching.

Grand Valley's hospitality and tourism management major is a dynamic program that encompasses a wide variety of career opportunities, such as lodging, food and beverage, recreation, leisure, club management, resort operations, travel, tourism, and event management.

Students majoring in hospitality and tourism management must complete the following:

• General university degree requirements.
• HTM core courses (minimum 38 credits).
• HTM field requirement (7 credits).
• Two HTM concentrations (minimum 18 credits).
• Business cognates (9 credits).

Why Study Hospitality And Tourism Management At Grand Valley?

Hospitality and tourism management students can expect:

• a curriculum that reflects modern industry concepts and best practices;
• classes taught by experienced faculty members with both academic and professional experience;
• experiential learning opportunities facilitated through a structured internship program that includes 1,000 hours of valuable hands-on experience;
• networking opportunities with faculty, peers, alumni, professional organizations, and industry stakeholders; and
• distinctive opportunities that no other institution offers through six diverse and practical career concentrations at Grand Valley.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a 21-month long cohort program, which begin in the fall each year. Secondary admission is required. Admittance is selectively granted to students who have completed 2 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography At Grand Valley?

• GVSU's sonography programs are the only Baccalaureate level programs in the State of Michigan. Strong curriculum and knowledgeable, clinically practicing faculty prepare students for leadership in the field.
• 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 in association with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Students enjoy small class sizes, a cohort educational experience, and clinical education at multiple physician offices and hospitals. Rotation of clinical site placements means students get diverse experiences, network across multiple health systems, and develop broad skill sets.
• 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.

 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.

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.

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 complete at least 96 credits at Grand Valley State University and 24 credits (47 weeks, 40 hours per week) of clinical practicum at William Beaumont Hospital's nationally accredited histotechnology program in Royal Oak, MI. Acceptance into William Beaumont Hospital's program is a competitive process, and program officials determine those admitted to the clinical practicum. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree in allied health sciences with an emphasis in histotechnology. Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree requirements and the clinical requirements, students are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam for histotechnology.

Why Study Histotechnology At Grand Valley?

• Courses are taught by faculty members who meet the highest levels of professional standards, not graduate assistants.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates employment opportunities are expected to increase 16 percent from 2014-2024, faster than the average for all occupations.
• According to the most recent salary survey conducted by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, in 2019, the average hourly wage for an HT is $28.83, while the average hourly wage for an HTL is $29.30.
• The College of Health Professions maintains a dedicated staff of academic advisors to support the academic needs of students pursuing the histotechnology emphasis.
• The William Beaumont Hospital histotechnology program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018.

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.

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.