Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions by graduate students.  If you have any other questions that are not answered below, please refer to the 2009-2010 Graduate Student Guidebook, or contact the Office of Graduate Studies:

Office of Graduate Studies

401 W. Fulton Street
DeVos Center
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone: 616-331-7105
Fax: 616-331-7317
Email: graduatestudies@gvsu.edu

FAQs

• May I take graduate courses at GVSU before I apply for admission to a specific degree program? 

Yes, students with a baccalaureate degree who are not seeking admission to a specific degree program or have not completed all of the admission requirements for their desired program may be granted non-degree-seeking status. 

• How many graduate credit hours can I earn as a non degree-seeking student? 

A maximum of 6 to 12 semester credits may be earned at GVSU as a non-degree-seeking student, depending on the student’s degree program.  Some programs have more restrictive guidelines so students should check specific program descriptions for details.

• How many graduate credits can I transfer to a graduate program at GVSU?

Students can transfer up to 9 graduate credits from institutions with appropriate regional accreditation to a graduate degree program at GVSU.  Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits toward their graduate program at GVSU to earn their degree from Grand Valley.

• Does GVSU offer graduate courses off-campus?

Yes, graduate courses in specific programs are offered at our Holland, Traverse City, and Muskegon campus sites for cohort groups.  Additionally, online courses are currently being offered in the College of Education with more college offerings starting soon.

• What is considered full-time study?  What is part-time?

Full-time study is considered 9 or more credits. Part-time study is considered 6 credits or less.

• If I graduated from GVSU as an undergrad, do I have to submit an official transcript?   Do I have to pay the application fee?

Students who graduated from GVSU do NOT have to provide an official transcript for admission. Furthermore, those who previously applied to GVSU do NOT have to resubmit the application fee.

• What forms of financial assistance or campus employment are available?

There are several forms of financial assistance and/or campus employment at GVSU, including Financial Aid, Graduate Assistantships, Student Employment, Scholarships and Fellowships.  For more information regarding financial assistance and employment follow the link, http://www.gvsu.edu/gsga/virtual/,

hover over “Costs, financial assistance, and job information” and then click on the appropriate tab regarding financial assistance or campus employment.

• Is housing on campus available for graduate students?

Currently, there are no housing options strictly for graduate students; however, housing options do exist on both the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses for both undergraduate and graduate students. For more information about campus housing, please follow the link: http://gvsu.edu/housing/.

• How long do I have to complete my degree?  Can I transfer previous graduate credits towards my degree program?

All courses for any graduate degree program at Grand Valley must be completed within 8 years from the date of the first course counted towards the degree.  

Students who transfer previous graduate coursework are advised that the 8-year limit starts with the date of the oldest course(s) counted toward the graduate program degree total.  For specific time limit information, please refer to the Time Limit Calendar on the Office of Graduate Studies Web page.

• Can I apply online?

Yes, prospective students may apply online via the following link: http://admissions.gvsu.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/applicationListing.aspx. New users must create a profile by clicking the “Personalize to create one” link.

• Is child care provided on campus?

Yes there are a few types of highly qualified child care options at GVSU. Please use the following links for more information on child care options:

http://gvsu.edu/gsga/virtual/index.cfm?id=8A8F5198-90F0-8AE5-5BFF9A3797BA2A60.

http://www.grymca.org/programs.cfm?core=8

Financial Aid Questions - Please refer to the GVSU financial aid Web page for more detailed information: http://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/index.cfm

• How much is tuition?

The current cost of graduate tuition is as follows:

Michigan resident, masters:  
$447 per credit hour 
$393 per credit hour (courses at the undergraduate level)

Michigan resident, doctoral:
$505 per credit hour
$447 per credit hour (courses at the masters level)
$393 per credit hour (courses at the undergraduate level)

Non-resident, masters:  
$622 per credit hour
$570 per credit hour (courses at the undergraduate level)
Non-resident, doctoral:
$710 per credit hour
$622 per credit hour (courses at the masters level)
$570 per credit hour (courses at the undergraduate level)

A per hour surcharge will be assessed to those students taking classes that require special equipment, consumable supplies or extraordinary overhead.

• When do I pay for classes?

For information on payment dates as well as deferment plans, please use the following link: Payment Options - Student Accounts - Grand Valley State University

• As a non-degree seeking student, am I eligible for financial aid?

No. Currently only degree-seeking students are eligible for financial aid.

• As a part-time degree-seeking student, am I eligible for financial aid?

A part-time degree-seeking graduate student carrying at least 6 credit hours per semester is eligible for financial aid.