2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]

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Bachelor of Applied Science in Professional Innovation

Degree Requirements (B.A.S.)

Students in the professional innovation program at Grand Valley State University must follow all general education requirements as defined in the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog and complete a minimum 120 credits total toward their degree. This could include credits transferred in from their Applied Associate Degree or other prior coursework at an accredited institution. Additional credits may be awarded toward the university requirements through prior learning assessment (PLA). Students are required to earn their final 30 credits at Grand Valley State University. This program requires 40 credits from a four-year institution, which exempts students from the university's 58 credits from a four-year institution rule. All other relevant policies apply.

Technical Focus (transferred from AAS): 15+ credits

Students must have 15+ credits in a technical focus. To meet this requirement, students must meet one of the following:

1. An associate of applied science degree, an associate of general studies, an associate of applied arts and science degree, an associate in business degree, or similar technical applied degrees.
2. A technical certificate
3. a minimum of 15 credits earned from coursework that transfers to GVSU

Professional Innovation Major B.A.S. Course Requirements (12 credits)

• INT 331 - Person and Profession in a Global Environment (3 credits)
• BAS 301 - Concepts in Learning Integration (3 credits)
• BAS 350  Interdisciplinary Research and Applied Practice (3 credits)
• One of the following quantitative reasoning courses:
  • CIS 320 - Visualization of Data and Information (3 credits)
  • DS 202 - Digital Data and Design (3 credits)
  • STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)

Emphasis Areas (Credits: 18-33) minimum 18 credits (15 at the 300-level or above), unduplicated in the major requirements

Students must complete the requirements for ONE of the following emphasis options, for a minimum of 18 unduplicated credits.

1. Completion of course requirements for one of the pre-approved minor programs.
2. Completion of undergraduate certificates and/or badges offered by GVSU for a total minimum 18 or more credits. Students may combine micro-credentials to meet the minimum 18 credit requirement or complement micro-credential requirements by taking additional upper-division (300-level or above) elective courses with approval from the program director.

3. Working with their professional advisor and the program director, students may design a customized emphasis of their choosing. The customized emphasis must include a minimum of 18 credits. Fifteen or more of those credits must be at the 300-level or above.

Application and Synthesis (6 Credits):

• BAS 491 - Practicum in Applied Science (1 to 6 credits)
• BAS 495 - Senior Seminar in Applied Science (3 credits)

Suggested Order of Coursework for the Leadership and Business Fundamentals Major

Year One:

• BAS 301 - Concepts in Learning Integration (3 credits)
• INT 331 - Person and Profession in a Global Environment (3 credits)
• Foundation - Writing and/or additional general education requirements
• Quantitative reasoning requirement (one course only required):
  • CIS 320 - Visualization of Data and Information (3 credits)
  • DS 202 - Digital Data and Design (3 credits)
  • STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
• Additional coursework in Year One to be determined by emphasis track and other university requirements.

Year Two and beyond to be discussed with advisor:

• BAS 350  Interdisciplinary Research and Applied Practice (3 credits)
• BAS 491 - Practicum in Applied Science (1 to 6 credits)
• BAS 495 - Senior Seminar in Applied Science (3 credits) (typically taken in the final semester prior to graduation)
• Additional required coursework depending upon emphasis and general education requirements.
• Additional coursework in Year Two to be determined by emphasis track and other university requirements.

Additional coursework may be needed to meet emphasis track requirements, general education requirements at GVSU, minimum 120 credits required to graduate, last 30 credits at GVSU, or other university requirements. Minimum number of years to complete this degree will be impacted by whether students are attending part-time or full-time. Many full-time enrolled students can expect to complete this degree in two to three years or less.