Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching

at Grand Valley State University USA

The Classics program embraces the many cultures and languages of the ancient Greek and Roman worldfrom prehistory to the late Roman Empire and early Christianityand includes options to study mythology, archaeology, history, philosophy, and the Greek and Latin languages.

Why Study Classics At Grand Valley?

• Classics students are part of an interactive, face-to-face community with a personalized approach to instruction and advising. Small student cohorts work closely with faculty who get to know students as individuals, not just as faces in a crowd.
• Students have opportunities to pursue independent research projects with faculty, working directly with ancient texts and participating in archaeological work.
• The study of languages and cultures enables students to communicate effectively, and with empathy, in any new situation. The study of ancient Greek and Latin has a direct impact on development of strong reading and writing skills.
• The Classics Department actively promotes connections between alumni, current students, and faculty, so that students can build strong networks within and outside the university and be prepared for life after graduation.
• Classics students become leaders who can look beyond their own cultural and historical assumptions to solve real-world problems, informed by long-term perspectives and a concern for the future.

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.

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.

Coursework is in history, economics, geography, and political science as well as in the social studies specific pedagogy.

Students choose from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Those seeking the B.A. must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language.

Students seeking teacher certification also complete the professional program offered by the College of Education. The major meets State of Michigan content standards for teacher preparation in social studies.

Why Study Social Studies At Grand Valley?

• Students study the world from a variety of perspectives, giving them strong interdisciplinary training and skills.
• Our majors are trained to research problems and engage in problem solving through written and verbal communication.
• The curriculum prepares students to teach a complex subject in a changing world.
• Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching social studies.
• Social studies majors are highly sought after by schools that want to hire teachers capable of teaching a variety of courses.

The Professional Science Master's (PSM) in biotechnology offers a series of high-impact life science courses, as well as training in biostatistics and bioinformatics. The PSM program also includes training in scientific communication, ethics and professionalism in science, and business-related topics like project management and business plans. An internship serves as the culminating experience.

The thesis-based (research emphasis) track focuses on an intensive, 15-18 month research project that results in a publishable thesis. Students work closely with a research mentor and are expected to present the results of their research at a professional conference.

Why Study Cmb At Grand Valley?

• The interdisciplinary core program of the PSM provides students with a cross-disciplinary perspective not possible within a single major.
• Courses are taught in a region that is quickly developing into an important center for biotechnology research, industry, and education.
• Rewarding internships are available at the Van Andel Research Institute, Michigan State College of Human Medicine, Spectrum Health Research Labs, Walter's Greenhouses, and other area organizations.
• Faculty members are actively engaged in research, much of it carried out with students.
• Laboratories provide students with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment.

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.

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.

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.

Grand Valley's French major focuses on all areas of French language and culture, preparing students for many careers. We also offer a specialized major or minor for those seeking to teach French. Most students embark on study-abroad programs in France and beyond, whether at one of our sister schools, on our faculty-led summer program in Bordeaux, or in an approved program of their choice. If you are majoring in another field, our French minor offers an opportunity to broaden your principal field by adding a cultural and linguistic dimension.

Why Study French At Grand Valley?

• France is spoken natively by over 300 million people in 56 countries on five continents, and is the most commonly learned second language in the world. It is also one of the working languages, along with English, of the United Nations and is an official language of many international organizations like NATO, International Red Cross, and more).
• French is a language of the arts and literature; of medical research, technology, and sustainability; of fashion and food; and of social and political institutions that promote multiculturalism, free thought, and the expression of ideas.
• French-language cinema ranks number 2 in the world, with hundreds of French-language films are produced each year in dozens of countries.
• Knowing French enables one to understand and appreciate cultural diversity, which not only enhances one's competitive advantage abroad and helps maintain political and security interests, but also promotes a better understanding of cultural diversity right here in the USA.
• French at GVSU is a dynamic program with an active community of students who get together regularly to take their passion for French beyond the classroom through films, game nights, and other activities.

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.