Program Overview

The PMASI program consists of 36 credit hours of coursework. There are no prerequisites and students with any bachelor's degree may be accepted. The program features graduate courses in social innovation, public administration, social work, and management. Courses are offered in a hybrid format, meeting both face-to-face and online. In-person class meetings are held at the Robert C. Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

• Six core courses in social innovation and public administration: 18 credits
• Three application courses: 9 credits
• Three synthesis courses: 9 credits

Why Study Social Innovation at Grand Valley?

• Nationally, employers post jobs for master's-level social innovation skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, critical analysis, and qualitative assessment.
  
• It is the only professional social innovation program in Michigan offering a focus on critical, humanistic, integrative, and interdisciplinary approaches to social issues.
• Internships, global learning experiences, collaborative projects, and problem-based learning create a unique degree experience.
• Students select application courses and center their synthesis coursework around their own career interests and aspirations.
  
• Courses are hybrid, offering flexibility with both face-to-face and online options.
  

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat at the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

• Hybrid

Coursework

Topics covered:

• Cross-sector innovation
• Corporate social responsibilities
• Civic action
• Community engagement strategies
• Environmental justice
• Policy development skills

Students also have the option to combine internships, global learning experiences, study abroad, collaborative projects, problem-based learning, and blending of traditional disciplines, resulting in a unique degree experience.

Career Options

Graduates can expect to be employed in the following industries:

• Education
• Government
• Health and human services
• Non-profit organizations
• Sustainability
• Social entrepreneurship

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Additional requirements include:

• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
• Submitting a GRE score is not required. However, applicants who have neither a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or five years of professional experience may consider submitting a GRE score to strengthen their application.
• Personal statement of career goals and background experiences, including an explanation of how this program will help achieve educational and professional objectives.
• Written recommendations from at least two individuals who are in positions to attest to the applicant's successful completion of the program.
• An official transcript from your baccalaureate degree granting institution.
• TOEFL test scores (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) for applicants whose native language is not English. The following minimum scores are expected: TOEFL is 80, IELTS is 6.5, and MELAB is 77.

Applications will not be reviewed until they are complete. Admissions may request additional information or request a personal interview. The Admission Committee is looking for evidence that a candidate will be successful if admitted into the program and considers each applicant as a whole student.

This program does not offer enough consecutive physical classroom presence for a student to qualify for an F-1 visa.

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• The Graduate School
• Social Innovation Programs
• FAQ

For More Information

[email protected]
288C DeVos Center
(616) 331-6575

gvsu.edu/gradapply

Azfar Hussain, Ph.D. 
(616) 331-8172