Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art

at Grand Valley State University USA

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.

The entrepreneurship major provides students with contemporary business skills. Students learn to identify opportunities, explore targeted customers' problems, build business strategies, test and validate a variety of assumptions, why failing fast and early is critical to success, locate and negotiate funding, execute their plan(s), and launch their new venture, product, or project.

Students who pursue entrepreneurship are required to complete a second business major in a functional discipline. These include accounting, economics, finance, general management, human resource management, marketing, operations management, and supply chain management.

Why Study Entrepreneurship At Grand Valley?

• Grand Valley is a major player within the Michigan entrepreneurial ecosystem. Numerous engagement opportunities are provided within the local, regional, and national entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• The Grand Valley chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization is an award-winning group of entrepreneurs and a resource for students.
• Mentoring and support is available from our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, distinguished faculty members, and local entrepreneurial organizations such as Grand Angels, 77 IdeaLab, and StartGarden.
• Students have access to numerous business plan and pitch competitions to gain support and interest in their projects and earn money for their ventures.
• There are opportunities for students to work with consultants to position their new venture to be successful.

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.

PDM offers four emphasis areas:

• Design
• Robotics and controls
• Manufacturing systems
• General

Why Study Product Design And Manufacturing 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.
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The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares students for a variety of conditions that limit people's ability to function. Grand Valley graduates are prepared to help such individuals and groups overcome these limitations.

The B.S.W. requires 120 semester credit hours. The program is built on a liberal arts foundation plus 31 hours of cognate and international courses. The required courses complement 48 credit hours of professional social work courses, which emphasize CSWE core competencies and foundation practice behaviors.

Topics include: social work practice, human behavior in context, values and ethics, social and economic justice, diversity, policy, research, and critical thinking.

Why Study Social Work At Grand Valley?

• The social work program provides a foundation curriculum in a high-quality learning environment that prepares students for success in the community social work concentration.
• Through the combined efforts of the faculty, staff, and the advising center, students are provided with the personal advising and support they need to get their degree, pursue a master's degree, or start their careers.
• Students learn from engaged faculty, many of whom are nationally known for their contributions in diverse areas of the social work profession.
• The School of Social Work hosts several faculty-led International programs. These programs are typically two-week-long programs with many opportunities to be involved in the social work process in a variety of settings.
• Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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 are prepared for engineering careers and leadership roles by way of B.S.E. and M.S.E. degree programs that integrate academic studies with hands-on learning and paid professional co-op experiences in engineering companies.

• Biomedical engineering
• Computer engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Interdisciplinary engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Product design and manufacturing engineering

Why Study Engineering At Grand Valley?

• 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.
• Nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school for our graduates.
• Program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org

The Grand Valley State University M.P.A.S. program was established in 1995. The main campus is located at Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences. In 2015, the program expanded to include Traverse City to serve the needs of Northern Michigan. The program is now simultaneously delivered to the two campuses through telepresencevideoconferencing.

Why Choose Physician Assistant Studies At Grand Valley?

• Excellent Resources: The program has two locations: the Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Grand Rapids and The University Center, Traverse City. Both facilities offer dedicated laboratory and classroom space, access to a simulation center, and connections to the local health care community.
• Successful: Over the last five years, GVSU graduates have had a first-time pass rate of 99% on the NCCPA certification exam.
• Small Student to Faculty Ratio: The program accepts 48 students per year. Students have greater access to our 12 dedicated faculty members and opportunity for small group discussions.
• Recognized Faculty: Our faculty are recognized locally and nationally for teaching excellence and evidence-based clinical practice.
• Accredited: The Grand Rapids and Traverse City locations are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant

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.

The wildlife biology major prepares you to attain and succeed in positions focused on maintaining sustainable populations of wildlife species at the local, regional, state, federal, and international level. The program requires you gain an understanding of both wildlife and of ecosystems.

Why Study Wildlife Biology At Grand Valley?

• Engage in field and laboratory learning environments that allow you to study wildlife and their management from a variety of perspectives.
• Experience a focused curriculum that instills practical skills within a liberal arts context, leading to a well-rounded professional that can address conservation concerns on local and international levels.
• Qualify for sought-after positions with state and federal wildlife agencies.
• Have opportunities for internships, study abroad, field study, and mentor-guided student research to complement coursework.
• Engage in extracurricular activities to practice the skills needed in the wildlife professions.

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.