Bachelor of Arts in Geography

at Grand Valley State University USA

Grand Valley's unique combination of practical skills training within the context of a liberal arts education prepares graduates for a wide range of careers. The following degrees are offered to criminal justice majors:

• The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• The Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Minor in Juvenile Justice or Criminal Justice

Why Study Criminal Justice At Grand Valley?

• Grand Valley has one of the largest criminal justice programs in the country and faculty who are nationally recognized for contributions in the discipline.
• Students have the chance to complete an internship in the agency or organization of their choosing.
• Faculty members bring diverse interests and practical experiences in the profession to the classroom.
• There are opportunities to assist faculty with fieldwork, gathering and analyzing data on community issues and programs.
• Grand Valley is known as a leader in the state for police academy training and continually sets the bar for law enforcement education.

The M.S.E. program focuses on engineering analysis, design, development, manufacturing, and production. Students network with established professionals, work on real-world projects, and have a variety of emphases to choose from, including:

• Biomedical engineering
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Product design and manufacturing engineering

Why Study Engineering At Grand Valley?

• Get personal attention through small classes and extensive hands-on and project-based learning supported by our student-focused, state-of-the-art teaching, laboratory, and project facilities.
• The need for broadly educated engineering graduates is very high and expected to grow rapidly during the next decade. West Michigan is one of the fastest-growing technical, manufacturing, and industrial regions of the state.
• Gain valuable experiential knowledge in parallel with academic learning while receiving financial support from the surrounding industries; opportunities for Industry Sponsored Graduate Fellowship and Internships are available.
• Graduate assistantships are available.
• Combined bachelor's/master's programs that allow high-achieving students to complete both the B.S.E. and the M.S.E. in as little as five calendar years.

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.

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.

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 Master of Science in applied statistics is a Professional Science Master's program that allows students to combine strong communication skills with an ability to interpret and present statistical findings. The curriculum emphasizes practical experience and statistical applications, so students are ready to make an immediate impact on the applied statistics industry.

The degree emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving communication, scientific knowledge, and technical skills.

Why Study Applied Statistics At Grand Valley?

• The program offers a comprehensive curriculum in applied statistics at the graduate level, providing experience in a greater variety of applied statistical techniques.
• Statisticians are in high demand across a variety of industries: retail, manufacturing, health care, and academia.
• Internships provide valuable, hands-on industry experience sought by employers.
• Many of the courses are offered in the evening, allowing more flexibility in students' daily schedules.
• Students gain valuable experience in the application of statistical software.

Grand Valley's bachelor of science program is unique in that it embeds professional practicum experiences in food service, community, and clinical nutrition with didactic studies of food culture, nutrigenomics, and sustainability.

Why Study Applied Food And Nutrition At Grand Valley?

• The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics as a Didactic Program in Dietetics, making graduates eligible for further study in accredited internship and graduate programs leading to eligibility to be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
• AF&N graduates are eligible to be credentialed as a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).
• The program provides approximately 400 hours of supervised practice experience consisting of community learning, simulation and internship experiences.
• Opportunities for quality improvement studies and involvement in faculty-led research, as well as collaborative projects.
• Use of the culinary and food laboratory for advanced food management classes and the simulation center for clinical practice.

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 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.

Philosophy graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The curriculum is designed to facilitate interdisciplinary study.

Why Study Philosophy At Grand Valley?

• The program emphasizes learning the history of philosophy as the foundation for further study and application.
• Courses are offered in all major contemporary schools of philosophical thought as well as in non-Western traditions.
• The study of philosophy is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers.
• Study abroad programs directed by faculty members are especially beneficial for students. The GVSU Summer School in China represents a rare opportunity to study many aspects of Chinese culture, including Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian philosophy in China.
• The Undergraduate Teaching Apprentice Program, Philosophy Colloquium/Speakers Series, and the Philosophical Society of GVSU offer out-of-classroom opportunities.