Bachelor of Science Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

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 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 Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program prepares you for advanced professional practice in social work, and in the development and implementation of social welfare policies and programs. The M.S.W. lays the foundation for you to assume leadership roles in society's institutions, organizations, and communities.

The M.S.W. 60 credit hour program is available on a full or part time basis, including 12 credit hours of field education. The curriculum incorporates a focus on CSWE core competencies. Advanced standing status, a 38 credit program with 8 field education hours, is for those who successfully completed a B.S.W. degree at a CSWE accredited program and meet other admission criteria. You may apply for the hybrid advanced standing program if eligible. Course requirements are available online.

Why Study Social Work At Grand Valley?

• become a culturally competent practitioner in a complex society through field education and practice;
• be prepared to engage in grassroots, political, and community organizing, as well as electoral politics;
• become a skilled practitioner capable of assuming leadership and scholarly professional roles in regional, state, national, and global communities;
• contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice through research and scholarly inquiry that employs state-of-the-art technology; and
• earn a degree that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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.

Grand Valley's Biomedical Engineering (B.S.E.) program prepares students for engineering careers and leadership roles. It integrates 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 Biomedical Engineering At Grand Valley?

• Prepare for a career where you can directly impact lives by designing medical devices, modeling physiologic systems, and developing medical instrumentation.
• Work with state-of-the-art motion capture equipment, tools for testing physiologic signals, and advanced prototyping capabilities to design and analyze biomedical systems.
• Complete real-world hands-on projects in small, student-focused courses.
• Partner with industry supporters who sponsor capstone design projects, fund engineering scholarships, and provide career opportunities.
• Join a group of successful graduates who have achieved a nearly 100% placement in industry-based careers or advanced graduate study.

The anthropology program is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students can major in anthropology or they can combine the study of anthropology with other majors or minors. The following anthropology degrees are offered:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

A certificate in applied anthropology is also available to degree-seeking students. You may also choose to minor in archaeology or anthropology.

Why Study Anthropology At Grand Valley?

• Anthropological perspectives provide students with unique abilities to contribute to standard job skills such as: diversity sensitivity, management, interviewing techniques, research/program design, statistical/survey techniques, teaching/training, and communication.
• Business Insider notes anthropologists are hired by such companies as Microsoft and Google for "cultural expertise."
• Participate in program-sponsored, locally based field schools in archaeology and cultural anthropology. Explore opportunities for fieldwork and study abroad with faculty.
• Postfield independent research is conducted through the anthropology lab.
• Scholarship awards and membership opportunities in Lambda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society.

Students of the public and nonprofit administration program learn how to serve the public interest ethically, effectively, and efficiently. They may choose to focus on:

• Community development and planning
• Community health
• Local economic development
• Public and nonprofit budget and finance
• Public personnel management

Why Study Public And Nonprofit Administration At Grand Valley?

• All students participate in service learning courses and internships, through which they interact within the community, apply new skills, and build professional networks.
• Many public and nonprofit administration students participate in study abroad programs and spring break service learning trips.
• Over 90 percent of recent graduates are successfully placed (employed, attending graduate school, or both).
• The Steelcase Library's Johnson Collection on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is a valuable resource to students and one of the most comprehensive collections in the country on philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit management.
• Students are required to complete one internship and may register for a second, which gives them the experience they need to succeed, make better career decisions, and jumpstart their career by helping them gain employment more quickly.

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 study of women, gender, and sexuality provides an interdisciplinary program grounded in the liberal arts, a culminating academic experience that links the insights of separate courses, and opportunities to apply theory to meaningful research or in internships, fieldwork, and service learning.

Why Study Women, Gender, And Sexuality Studies At Grand Valley?

• Explore the study of feminism, activism, and gender and its global impact.
• Prepare for careers in leadership, social services, and politics.
• Develop a commitment to community through internships, service learning, and volunteering.
• Actively engage in individual and collaborative research projects with impact on culture and society.
• Make an immediate impact on your community through the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity, Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center, and Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Electrical engineers design and build systems to tackle problems big and small. They integrate the fields of electronic circuit design, electromagnetics, digital signal processing, control systems, and power systems to analyze and solve problems involving modern electronic systems. Applications of these designs include consumer electronics, power generation and delivery, telecommunications, alternative energy, aviation and aerospace systems, mechatronics, electric vehicles, and electromagnetic compatibility.

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

Why Study Electrical Engineering At Grand Valley

• Prepare for a career designing consumer electronics, power systems, guidance and navigation, aircraft systems, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and more.
• Work with state-of-the-art electronic equipment and tools to analyze and design electrical systems.
• Complete real-world hands-on projects in small, student-focused courses.
• Partner with our industry supporters who sponsor capstone design projects, fund engineering scholarships, and provide career opportunities.
• Join a group of successful graduates who have achieved a nearly 100% placement in industry-based careers or advanced graduate study.