Military and Veteran Opportunities
At Grand Valley State University
Your military service and training deserves recognition. Grand Valley is known for being a veteran-friendly university that supports its veterans and military-affiliated students. With a dedicated Veterans Resource Center, experts in VA education benefits, priority registration, and flexible academic options, you’ll find a community that understands your experience and provides a path forward.
A New Pathway for Veterans at GVSU
Our new micro-credentials program helps veterans in select occupations (see below) turn prior learning into academic credit, reducing time and cost toward your degree. With free online micro-courses designed to fill knowledge gaps and maximize your experience, you can move closer to your career goals and work towards a bachelor's degree.
During the Pilot Program and For Select Occupations
Who Is It For?
This initiative is designed for veterans and service members in the following occupations who want to turn their prior learning into academic credit and move toward a degree. If you don't see your occupation listed, connect with our support specialist.
Current eligible occupations include:
- Army 68G, Patient Administration Specialists
- Air Force 4A031, Health Services Management Apprentices
Why you should consider this program...
Recognition of Your Military Training and Experience
Your service has equipped you with world-class medical skills. We honor that by converting your prior training into academic credit, giving you the credit you deserve.
Online Micro-Credentials (Free Until August)
If your military training covers most—but not all—course outcomes, our online courses fill the gaps at no cost during our pilot program. Complete these short, self-paced courses online and accelerate your progress towards a degree.
Accelerated Pathways to a Degree in Allied Health Sciences
Combine your prior learning with micro-credentials to move quickly toward a bachelor’s degree. This streamlined approach saves time and positions you for career advancement.
Pre-Admissions Transfer Credit Evaluation for Informed Decisions
Know exactly where you stand before enrolling. We provide a personalized evaluation so you can plan your degree pathway with confidence.
Reduce Time and Cost to Earn Your Degree
By maximizing your prior learning and offering free micro-credentials, we help you finish faster and spend less — without sacrificing quality.
Gold status on the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency's list of Michigan's Veteran-Friendly Schools for 11 consecutive years, as well as their 2024 MVAA Innovator Award for "demonstrated exceptional dedication to empowering those who have served our country."
Military Times ranks Grand Valley at the top of Michigan colleges and at #11 in the nation in their list of Best for Vets Colleges 2025.
Silver status for the 2025-2026 school year from MilitaryFriendly.com.
Course Descriptions
The curriculum for the program is as follows:
AHS 100 - Medical Terminology
This course offers a systematic approach to understanding medical terminology through the analysis and translation of medical terms. The focus is to enable students to practice and use this specialized language in preparation for work in the health care environment.
Credits: 3
AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care
Provides students with an introduction to the U.S. health care system and health-related professions they might enter. Content includes how health care is provided in the U.S., organizations involved in providing health care, and an introduction to the various health professions that students may enter as a career.
Credits: 3
Students will receive Allied Health Sciences (AHS) elective credit (6 credits).