Master of Science Engineering (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

Computer science students receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The diverse elective courses offered within the curriculum allow students to explore specialties within their field, such as:

• Artificial intelligence
• Computer graphics
• Web/mobile applications
• System/software security
• Usability design
• Data mining

Why Study Computer Science At Grand Valley?

Computing professionals who want to take their expertise or career to the next level can take advantage of Grand Valley's highly-credentialed and well-connected faculty.

• Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.
• The program offers a variety of electives and minors, so students can tailor their education to their interests.
• The curriculum is a combination of theoretical foundation and applied computing, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
• Students gain practical experience through extensive internship opportunities available through the School of Computing and Information Systems.
• Dedicated computer labs with state-of-the-art equipment ensure relevant, hands-on experience.

Students learn how to apply scientific knowledge to address environmental issues related to ecology, conservation, and sustainability. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in natural resources management offers students a variety of academic options to pursue:

• General natural resources management degree
• Wildlife certification
• Natural resources management minor

Why Study Natural Resources Management At Grand Valley?

• The program is the only one of its kind at a liberal arts college in Michigan.
• Students gain practical work experience through connections with environmental and natural resources agencies, nonprofit organizations, and those in the industry.
• There are many opportunities to research projects with faculty on a wide range of topics including wildlife management, invasive species control, ecological restoration, renewable energy, and endangered species conservation.
• With an advisor's guidance, students can develop customized programs based on their specific interests.

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.

Legal studies students may earn a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. The B.A. requires third semester proficiency in a foreign language. The B.S. requires completion of courses in statistics and research methods. A minor, not approved by the ABA, is also available.

Why Study Legal Studies At Grand Valley?

• The legal studies major is approved by the American Bar Association and features a critical-thinking foundation that focuses on professional skills.
• The program prides itself on the diverse professional experience of its faculty members, most of whom are licensed attorneys with experience working in areas of civil and criminal law.
• Faculty are engaged in scholarly research and writing and have been recognized as award-winning teachers and mentors.
• The program's advisory board consists of attorneys and paralegals who give guidance on matters such as curriculum, internship and employment opportunities, and trends in the legal field.
• The legal studies internship program allows students to get college credit for work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other organizations that engage in law-related work.

Legal studies students may earn a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. The B.A. requires third semester proficiency in a foreign language. The B.S. requires completion of courses in statistics and research methods. A minor, not approved by the ABA, is also available.

Why Study Legal Studies At Grand Valley?

• The legal studies major is approved by the American Bar Association and features a critical-thinking foundation that focuses on professional skills.
• The program prides itself on the diverse professional experience of its faculty members, most of whom are licensed attorneys with experience working in areas of civil and criminal law.
• Faculty are engaged in scholarly research and writing and have been recognized as award-winning teachers and mentors.
• The program's advisory board consists of attorneys and paralegals who give guidance on matters such as curriculum, internship and employment opportunities, and trends in the legal field.
• The legal studies internship program allows students to get college credit for work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other organizations that engage in law-related work.

This versatile program allows students to achieve individual goals while serving diverse interests. Students have the opportunity to pursue graduate programs in broad areas such as population genetics, organismal biology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and natural resource management. Optional emphases are offered in natural resources and aquatic sciences.

Internships offer hands-on learning while project and thesis opportunities strengthen critical thinking and presentatio skills.

Why Study Biology At Grand Valley?

• Programs can be tailored for professionals to make them more competitive for job placement or advancement.
• Research opportunities are offered to all graduate students; some will collaborate with faculty on ongoing research and others will find or create research opportunities independently.
• Individualized, planned programs of study established by the students and their advisors ensure a unique learning experience designed to meet individual goals.
• The aquatic sciences emphasis provides the opportunity to conduct research at the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
• Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. A majority of students receive competitive graduate assistantships that provide a stipend and full tuition waiver, as well as some teaching experience.

Choose from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in history, or a minor in history or history of science, or select it as a teachable minor. Careful training in research, writing, critical reading, and interpretation makes history graduates attractive to a wide number of employers who value those abilities, especially in fields of law, library and museum work, finance, journalism, and public administration. Students also study history to advance their own liberal education and to train their minds.

Why Study History At Grand Valley?

• Graduates are accepted into top law schools and graduate programs in history, museum studies, and library science.
• Faculty members are devoted to teaching, scholarship, and mentoring.
• Choose from research and internship opportunities for a well-rounded education that includes hands-on experience.
• Opportunities to engage with the community include public history projects and the Veterans History Project.
• Network through student organizations devoted to the program, including the History Club and Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society.

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.

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 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.