2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Administration
Dean: Jennifer Drake
Associate Dean: Anderson
Associate Dean: McBane
Associate Dean: Shreiner
Website
Mission
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life.
Program Information
Created in July 2004, CLAS is the largest of Grand Valley's colleges and offers more than 50 bachelor's degrees (and a growing number of advanced degrees) in the natural and mathematical sciences, the humanities, the fine and performing arts, and the social sciences.
All Grand Valley undergraduates build the foundation for their major studies in general education courses offered by our college.
Advertising and Public Relations
Advertising and Public Relations, B.A., B.S.
Advertising (emphasis)
Public Relations (emphasis)
Advertising and Public Relations (minor)
Annis Water Resources Institute
(See Biology, M.S.,
Aquatic Sciences)
Aging and Adult Life
Aging and Adult Life (minor)
Anthropology
Anthropology, B.A., B.S.
Anthropology (minor)
Applied Anthropology, Certificate
Applied Linguistics
Applied Linguistics, M.A.
Applied Linguistics (minor)
General (minor emphasis)
ESL (minor emphasis)
Arabic
Arabic (minor)
Archaeology
Archaeology (minor)
Behavioral Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience, B.A., B.S.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, B.S.
Biology
Biology, B.A., B.S.
Biomolecular Processes
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (emphasis)
General Biology (emphasis)
Preveterinary Medicine (emphasis)
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Biology, M.S.
Aquatic Sciences (M.S. emphasis)
Natural Resources (M.S. emphasis)
Biology (minor)
Biology Secondary Education (minor)
Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical Sciences, B.S.
Microbiology (emphasis)
Nutritional Science (emphasis)
Biomedical Sciences, M.H.S.
Biostatistics
Biostatistics, M.S.
Cell and Molecular Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology, B.S.
Cell and Molecular Biology, M.S.
Biotechnology (M.S. emphasis)
Research (M.S. emphasis)
Combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Bioinformatics and Genomics (undergraduate certificate)
Bioinformatics and Genomics (graduate certificate)
Chemistry
Chemistry, B.S.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Chemistry (minor)
Chemistry Secondary Education (minor)
Green Chemistry (certificate)
Chinese
Chinese Language (minor)
Classics
Classics, B.A.
Classical Languages (emphasis)
Classical Studies (emphasis)
Latin Secondary Education (emphasis)
Communication Studies
Communication Studies, B.A., B.S.
Communications, M.S.
Dance
Dance, B.A.
Dance (minor)
Earth Science
Earth Science, B.S.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Earth Science (minor)
English
English, B.A.
Language and Literature (emphasis)
Secondary Education (emphasis)
English, M.A.
English (minor)
English Secondary Education (minor)
Exercise Science
Combined Exercise Science, B.S. and Master's in Athletic Training, MAT
Exercise Science, B.S.
Clinical Exercise Science (emphasis)
Health Fitness Instruction (emphasis)
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, B.S.
French
French, B.A.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
French (minor)
French Secondary Education (minor)
Geography and Sustainable Planning
Geography, B.A., B.S.
Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resiliency Planning (emphasis)
Environment and Global Development (emphasis)
Geospatial Technology (emphasis)
Urban and Regional Planning (emphasis)
Environmental Remote Sensing (certificate)
Geographic Information Science and Teaching (certificate)
Geography - Secondary Teacher Certification (minor)
Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning (minor)
Geospatial Techniques (minor)
Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning (certificate)
Environmental Remote Sensing (certificate)
Geographic Information Science and Technology (certificate)
Geospatial Techniques (minor)
Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning (minor)
Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning (certificate)
Geology
Geology, B.S.
Environmental (emphasis)
Geology (minor)
Geology - Chemistry
Geology - Chemistry, B.S.
German
German, B.A.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
German (minor)
German Secondary Education (minor)
Health Communication
Health Communication, B.A., B.S.
History
History, B.A., B.S.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
History (minor)
History Secondary Education (minor)
History of Science
History of Science (minor)
Integrated Science
Integrated Science, B.S.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
International Relations
International Relations, B.A.
International Relations (minor)
Mathematics
Mathematics, B.A., B.S.
Theoretical Mathematics (emphasis)
Applied Mathematics (emphasis)
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Mathematics (minor)
Mathematics Elementary Education (minor)
Mathematics Secondary Education (minor)
Microbiology, B.S.
Multimedia Journalism
Multimedia Journalism, B.A., B.S.
Music
Music, B.A.
Music, B.M.
Instrumental (emphasis)
Keyboard (emphasis)
Vocal (emphasis)
Music (minor)
Music Education, B.M.E. (K-12)
Instrumental (emphasis)
Vocal/Choral (emphasis)
Piano Pedagogy (certificate)
Natural Resources Management
Natural Resources Management, B.S.
Natural Resources Management (minor)
Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching, B.A., B.S.
Pre-K through 3rd Grade (emphasis)
3rd Grade through 6th Grade (emphasis)
Mathematics (concentration)
Language Arts (concentration)
Social Studies (concentration)
Integrated Science (concentration)
Philosophy
Philosophy, B.A.
Philosophy (minor)
Physical Education
Physical Education, B.S.
Health and Physical Education, B.S. (K-12)
Physical Education Secondary Education (minor)
School Health Education (minor)
Physics
Physics, B.S.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Physics (minor)
Physics Secondary Education (minor)
Political Science
Political Science, B.A., B.S.
Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP)
Political Science (minor)
Political Science Secondary Education (minor)
Political Science and Law, B.A./J.D.
Political Science and Law, B.S./J.D.
Preprofessional Studies
Predental Studies
Prelaw
Premedical Studies
Preveterinary Medicine
Psychology
Psychology, B.A., B.S.
Psychology (minor)
Psychology Secondary Education (minor)
Applied Behavior Analysis (certificate)
School Psychology
School Psychology, M.S. and Psy.S.
Sociology
Sociology, B.A., B.S.
Sociology (minor)
Spanish
Spanish, B.A.
Secondary Education (emphasis)
Spanish (minor)
Spanish Elementary Education (minor, in conjunction with a PCKET major)
Spanish Secondary Education (minor)
Sport Management
Sport Management, B.S.
Sport Coaching (certificate)
Statistics
Statistics, B.A., B.S.
Actuarial Sciences (emphasis)
Applied Statistics (minor)
Data Science (minor)
Mathematical Statistics (minor)
Theatre
Theatre, B.A., B.S.
Theatre (minor)
Wildlife Biology
Wildlife Biology, B.S.
Visual and Media Arts
Art Education (Teacher Certification K-12) B.A., B.S.
Art History, B.A.
Art History (minor)
Studio Art, B.A., B.S.
Studio Art, B.F.A.
Ceramics (emphasis)
Graphic Design (emphasis)
Illustration (emphasis)
Jewelry/Metalsmithing (emphasis)
Painting (emphasis)
Printmaking (emphasis)
Sculpture (emphasis)
Visual Studies (emphasis)
Studio Art (minor)
Film and Video Production, B.A., B.S.
Photography, B.A., B.S.
Photography (minor)
Academic Units
Annis Water Resources Institute
Anthropology
Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Cell and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Classics
English
Geography and Sustainable Planning
Geology
History
Mathematics
Modern Languages and Literatures
Movement Science
Music, Theatre, and Dance
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
School of Communications
Sociology
Statistics
Visual and Media Arts
Writing
Accreditation
See individual unit or program sections for information.
Secondary Admission for Undergraduates
- Art Education (B.A., B.S.); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- Art History (B.A.); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- Chemistry (B.S.); Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Film and Video Production (B.A., B.S.); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- Music (B.A., B.M.E., B.M.); National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Photography (B.A., B.S.); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- Studio Art (B.A., B.F.A., B.S.); National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- Regional Math and Science Center; Michigan Department of Education (MDEC)
The following programs require audition, portfolio review, and/or prerequisites and separate application:
- Art and design - studio art and art education
- Dance
- Film and video production
- Music
Graduate Admission
See appropriate Academic Program description for information on graduate admission.
Student Services
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center
The CLAS Academic Advising Center serves as a key resource for students pursuing majors and/or minors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and for Grand Valley's Exploratory Study (undecided) students. The goal is to complement faculty advising with professional advising services and serve students by
- providing initial academic advising through first-year, transfer, and international student advising and registration sessions;
- assisting in the development of an achievable academic plan;
- sharing resources and opportunities for exploration of academic options;
- disseminating Grand Valley policies and procedures as they pertain to degree completion in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;
- offering a central location for students seeking information on preprofessional programs such as premedical, predental, prepharmacy studies, and many other postbaccalaureate programs;
- assisting students interested in attaining teacher certification through the undergraduate programs or the graduate teacher certification program, as well as current teachers seeking an additional endorsement in a CLAS-related area; and
- providing support for nontraditional students and students returning to Grand Valley after an absence.
The CLAS Academic Advising Center's location is C-1-140 and C-1-120 Mackinac Hall and can be reached by calling (616) 331-8585 or via email at [email protected]. Additional information also can be found on the center's website at gvsu.edu/clasadvising.
Mathematics Tutoring Center
Science Success Center
Statistical Consulting Center
Statistics Tutoring Center
Honors Organizations
Program-specific honors programs are described under each unit's description.
Scholarships
The eligibility criteria for each scholarship can be found in the Costs and Financial Aid section of the catalog.
Eric A. Andres Live, Laugh, Love, Learn Scholarships
Alex Aninos Music Education Scholarship
John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship
Edith I. Blodgett Endowed Piano Scholarship
Frederick A. Bogaert Theatre Scholarship
William J. and Margaret G. Branstrom Fine Arts Scholarship
Breen Scholarship
Dr. Andrew M.C. Brown Memorial English Scholarship
Alexander Calder Honor Scholarship
Carroll Vocal Performance Scholarship
Robert L. Chamberlain Scholarship
Dean Fred Antczak Endowed Scholarship
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Endowed Scholarship
Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis Endowed Merit Scholarship for Full- or Part-time English Majors
Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis Endowed Theatre Scholarship: Remembering Shakespeare
Greta and Arthur DeLong Psychology Scholarship
Aaron M. DesRocher Memorial Chemistry Scholarship
Pamella and Daniel G. DeVos Musical Theater Scholarship
DeWitt Barrels Inc. Environmental Science and Natural Resources Scholarship
Carlson Family Endowed Scholarship Any CLAS student
Ann M. Dilly Jewelry/Metalsmithing Scholarship
Mary Jane Dockeray Scholarship
Leslie Eitzen Voice Scholarship
English Faculty Endowed Scholarship for New Majors
Shelby Fazio '13 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Richard E. Flanders Scholarship
Barbara L. Flaschenreim Endowed Classics Scholarship
Geology Field Studies Scholarship
Norman and Helen Gibson Geology Field Study Scholarship
Edward Tremba Geology Scholarship
Charlotte A. Gierst and Salome C. Egeler Trust Fund
Kyle Grant '12 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Tom and Marcia Haas and Family Laker Marching Band Scholarship
Eva Habetinova and Gregory J. Sanial Family Endowed Scholarship STEM
Steve Hecht Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Paul B. Henry Congressional Internship
Arthur C. Hills Music Scholarship
David S. and Leslie A. Hooker Liberal Arts Endowed Scholarship
Prof. Paul A. Huizenga Biology Education Scholarship
Jake Jager '18 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Paul and Dianna Johnson STEM Pathway Endowed Scholarship
Florence and Leonard Joyce Mathematics First Generation Endowed Scholarship
Jurries Family Scholarship
Frances Anne Kelleher Memorial Scholarship
Marlene Kenneway Love of Dance Scholarship
Prof. Charles Knop Chemistry Scholarship
Walton B. Koch Memorial Scholarship
Albert S. and Ella D. Koeze Art Scholarship
MaryBeth Koeze Art Scholarship Endowment
Dirk Koning Film and Video Scholarship
Kulesza Family Healthcare Pathway Scholarship
Marney Houseman MacAdam Endowed Voice Scholarship
Dr. Nancy K. Mack and Katherine Klemit Mack Memorial Scholarship
The Malinoski Family Pre-Dental Scholarship
Adam M Malson Memorial Scholarship
Mathematics Endowment Fund
Michigan Garden Club Scholarship
David and Diana Moore Biology Graduate Student Assistantship
Upper Division Music Department Scholarship
Arlene Treanor Natie Plants Internship
Robert Nelson Foundation Scholarship
Glenn A. and Betty J. Niemeyer History Scholarship
Nedra J. Otis Art Scholarship
Pathway Scholarship for Mathematics
Ross W. Perry Bachelor of Science Scholarship
Danny K. Phipps Music Endowed Scholarship
Elizabeth Platek '89 Communication Scholarship
Ellen Pool Choral Endowed Scholarship B.M.E
Dr. Margaret Proctor School of Communications Scholarship
Dr. George I. and Helen Z. Quimby Scholarship
Warren Reynolds Endowed Scholarship
Robert and Linda '89 Rynbrandt Endowed Sociology Scholarship
Hugo Salazar Memorial Scholarship
John Salski Memorial Fund
Ilene I. Schooley Biomedical Science Scholarship
School of Communications Scholarship
Mary and Wilhelm Seeger Scholarship
Madeline Siehling Statistics Pathway Scholarship
Anonymous Statistics Pathway Endowed Scholarship
Shakespeare Festival Alumni Scholarship
John J. and Marjorie E. Shephard Communications Scholarship
John Shontz Native Plants Biology Scholarship
Statistics Book Scholarship
Statistics Endowment
George and Marianne Stein Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Howard and Rose Stein Endowed Biology Scholarship
Duke Tanka Jr. Anatomy Scholarship
Edward L. Tremba Scholarship
Donald and Barbara VanderJagt Mathematics and Athletics Scholarship
Ada Council for the Arts Rebecca Vogelsang Memorial Scholarship
Margaret F. Ward Art and Design Scholarship
Margaret F. Ward Music Scholarship
Dr. Ronald W. Ward Scholarship
Wayland Street Films Scholarship for the Arts in Memory of BrownHill
Holliday Willey Psychology Scholarship for the Study of Pervasive Development Disorders
Bill and Diana Wipperfurth Annis Water Resources Institute Student Research Scholarship
Writing and Leadership Scholarship
Writing Major Scholarship
Doug and Linda Woods Athletic Training Scholarship
Barbara Waddell Native Plants Research Scholarship
Barbara Waddell Integrated Science Academic Excellence Award
Mark A. Warren Memorial Scholarship
Community Resources
- Annis Water Resources Institute
- Autism Education Center
- Regional Math and Science Center
Refer to the Community Resources section of this catalog for more information.