The Graduate Student Handbook is your go-to resource for navigating graduate studies at Grand Valley State University’s College of Computing. This comprehensive guide covers every step of your academic journey from applying and registering for classes and understanding academic policies, to securing graduate assistantships and completing internships, projects, or theses. You’ll also find guidance on maintaining academic integrity, meeting graduation requirements, and accessing valuable campus resources. Whether you’re starting your first semester or preparing to graduate, this handbook helps you stay informed, organized, and on track for success in your Computing graduate program. Use these links to access each section of our handbook whenever you need them.

APPLY TO OUR PROGRAMS

REGISTER FOR CLASSES

declare or apply for a graduate BADGE

View our academic performance guide

LEARN ABOUT OUR ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

explore our graduate assistantships

learn more about internships

learn more about cpt

APPLY FOR GRADUATION

learn more about project & theses

DISCOVER OUR RESOURCES

Application Process

Please begin your graduate application. All Computing Master's Programs require:

• Transcript sent from your institution
• Resume
• Contact information for two people who would recommend you for the program
• Personal statement
• Minimum English proficiency test scores (if applicable)

Application Program Requirements

• Applied Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Data Science and Analytics
• Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
• Human-Centered Computing
• Software Engineering

Application Deadlines

• Fall semester: May 1 (international/outside the US), July 1 (domestic/inside the US)
• Winter semester: October 15 (international/outside the US, Dec 1 (domestic/inside the US)

Switching to a New Program of Study

• There is no way to “switch” programs. You must apply to the new program. However, you will not need to pay the application fee again or resubmit your academic transcripts.

Application Deferment

• Please contact [email protected] if you need to defer your application. You will not need to pay the application fee again or resubmit your academic items (transcripts, resume, etc.)

Transferring Classes

• Only classes with a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or higher will be accepted. Please send the syllabus to your graduate program director so they can evaluate the class for your program.

Plans of Study

• Each program has its own advising guide on its program page. Plans of Study can be found at our Master's Programs Plans of Study page.
• Please note that classes with numbers < 500 are considered undergraduate courses and will not count toward your graduate degree.

Registration

• The registrar's office has step-by-step instructions to register for class through Banner. We also have a PDF guide for registration.
• The registrar's office has information about errors and holds.
• Adding a course after the deadline requires special permission. You will need the Drop/Add Form (PDF). You will also need a signature from the instructor and our associate dean of graduate education. You should be able to obtain these via email.
• Specific information about "Multiple Delivery" (MD) courses can be found on a separate page.

International Students

• International students are required to be enrolled in 9 credits as a full-time student. The only exception is the last semester, and then the Reduced Course Load form MUST be completed to remain in status and avoid dismissal from Grand Valley.

"Closed" Classes

• Classes listed as “closed” normally means there are no more seats available. If you think you really must get into a closed class in order to graduate, please contact your Graduate Program Director before entering an override request.

Override Requests

• Overrides can be entered into MyBanner to request special access to a class. When in doubt, contact your Graduate Program Director before entering an override request.
• The registrar's office has information about prerequisites and registration overrides. An override is not just based on proving your background, but also availability of seats.
• There are step-by-step override request instructions (PDF). 
• Please be patient after requesting an override, as they may take a significant amount of time to process.

Waitlists

• Waitlists are used when a class has no more seats, but students still want to take the class. Getting on a waitlist does not guarantee you a seat. The only way new seats open is for currently enrolled students to drop the class - and then only the first person on the waitlist gets notified to register. Also, waitlists are only to be used if you have a real need to take a course. Adding yourself to several waitlists clogs up the waitlists and prevents students who truly need it from taking the class. Only add yourself to a waitlist if you must have the class to graduate.

A "badge" is a digital credential that says you have a specific set of skills or knowledge. All Computing graduate students can earn a badge while a student at GVSU. Some programs require students to earn a badge.

Declaring a Badge

• myPath can track your progress toward a badge, but you must "declare" it.
• To declare a badge, go to Banner → Student → Student Records → Add a Certificate or Badge.

Applying for a Badge

• After you've completed a badge (or are nearing completion), you can "apply" to be awarded the badge, in the same way you "apply" for graduation.
• You can also use the Badge Application form (PDF). After the Registrar’s office approves it, they will update myPath.

Graduate students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.

Academic review is applicable to a graduate student under any of the following conditions:

• Student earns any of the following grades in the previous semester:
  • A grade of D or F
  • The second or subsequent grade of C or lower
  • The second or subsequent grade of C- or lower
• Student earns semester or cumulative program GPA below 3.0
• Student's performance is evaluated as unsatisfactory in required internship
• Student has not met the conditions of a previously implemented academic probation within time limits
• By the end of the semester, student has more than 2 unresolved grades of I (incomplete) that were assigned in a previous semester

Academic review may result in an academic warning, academic probation, or dismissal.

• An academic warning means the student will receive an email from their Graduate Program Director informing them of the details of the academic performance. An academic warning does not appear on the transcript, and the student remains in good standing.
• Academic probation means the student receives an email from both their Graduate Program Director and the Registrar. Academic probation will appear on the transcript. Generally, students are expected to improve their academic performance the following semester.
• Dismissal means the student is removed from the university. A graduate student may be dismissed from a graduate program under either of the following conditions; however, the College of Computing generally does not dismiss students after the first semester these conditions are met. 
  • Student earns a second or subsequent grade of F in any graduate course, including repeated courses
  • Student has less than a 3.0 GPA AND accumulated 9 or more hours for which a grade less than B- was earned

Students dismissed from Grand Valley State University may appeal. A graduate student who has been dismissed from a Grand Valley State University graduate program may not be admitted to a different GVSU graduate program and may not enroll in GVSU graduate courses without the permission of the associate vice provost for The Graduate School.

The work you submit must be your own, and any action taken to earn credit for assignments while avoiding learning the material or demonstrating your personal understanding of the material, or assisting others in doing so, is considered academic misconduct.

Some basic guidelines:

• You should complete each assignment in its entirety from the beginning.
• If you use code or ideas you find online or from someone else, you must cite it. 
• You must be able to explain any work you turn in. 
• You may not submit work with the intent of circumventing automated systems to get credit, reveal the correct answer, or reveal hidden test cases.
• Exams are closed-note unless otherwise stated.
• Exams should not be discussed with other students until the instructor indicates it is ok. 
• You are responsible for protecting your work from being seen by others.
• You are responsible for asking your instructor any questions related to academic integrity before an assignment is due.
• You should not look at other students’ work (including source code).
• Writing code together (even on a whiteboard) is considered academic misconduct. 
• By the due date, it is assumed that your assignment is in its final state, and it will be graded as such.

You are still encouraged to:

• discuss problems in general with other students.
• provide and receive help with simple compile errors and using the computing environment.
• discuss assignment requirements.
• study for exams with other students.

Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Computing faculty will generally assign a failing grade in the course for your first offense. Suspension will be recommended for especially flagrant acts. For a second offense, expulsion from GVSU will be recommended.

For more information, please visit our Academic Honesty page.

• Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training before 50% of their program is completed. Data Science and Analytics, and Health Informatics and Bioinformatics students will complete this requirement by taking PSM 650.
• Internship guidelines and procedures are found on the PSM website. Please contact Chris Babbitt, our internship partner coordinator, at [email protected], Professor Holli Reyes, and the Career Center for assistance in resume building, interviewing, and finding an internship.
• Complete the Grade Change Form (PDF) to get your internship credits changed from "I (Incomplete)" to "CR (Credit)"; "Incomplete" grades will prevent graduation.

Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

• HIB students will also need to complete the capstone class, offered every semester

• Visit CPT | Curricular Practical Training to understand the rules and regulations of CPT.
• Get an offer letter from an employer that verifies the dates of employment and the duties of the job. 
  • You are expected to do something in the area of “computing” that utilizes the skills you've learned in your graduate program. Just because your job "uses" a computer does not mean it will be allowed as a CPT. When it doubt, contact [email protected].
  • You are allowed to work 20 hours across all jobs during a semester. In the summer, you can work 40 hours if you’re not taking a full-time course load.
  • Normally, we don’t allow students to work in their first semester to give you time to focus on transitioning to GVSU.
• Visit the website above and complete the CPT Faculty Approval form.
• Send the offer letter and CPT Faculty Approval form to [email protected] for review.
• If approved, the signed form will be returned to you, and an override will be entered in Banner allowing you to register for CIS 685/PSM 691.
• Send the signed form to the International Student Services office (please note - you will have the CPT Request form and CPT Cooperative Agreement form to send them as well, but those files do not need to be sent to Computing).
• PSM (DSA/HIB) only: enroll in PSM 691.
• All other graduate programs: enroll in CIS 685. Please note, CIS 685 is only 1 credit, and does not count toward the 33-36 credits needed for your degree.

Use the table below to help determine if a project or thesis is right for you.

1. Responsible Conduct of Research: Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training before 50% of their program is completed or before enrolling in a project or thesis.
   1. Applied Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Human Centered Computing, and Software Engineering students will complete the CITI online training module.
   2. Data Science and Analytics, and Health Informatics and Bioinformatics students will complete this requirement by taking PSM 650. PSM 650 includes formal instruction on ethical research practices, data integrity, authorship, research misconduct, and protections for human subjects and animal research, satisfying the university’s RCR training requirement. This ensures compliance with federal and institutional standards for responsible research.
2. Students considering registering for the CIS 693 project class should decide on an idea for a project. Students are encouraged to review the research and project interests of faculty in advance, either through a department directory or faculty profile pages. This can help identify appropriate advisors whose areas of interest align with the student’s goals. The student should then meet with a faculty member who they would like to serve as their project advisor. Students should be prepared for the faculty member to suggest modification to the project plan, but should not expect the faculty member to provide them with the project idea. 
3. Once the student and advisor have agreed on the project topic and scope, the student should complete a project form.
4. The student's GPD will confirm the project with the faculty advisor and create a section of CIS 693 for the faculty if one does not already exist.
5. The GPD will then enter an override allowing the student to register.

CIS 693 should be treated by the student as any other course. You are expected to devote the same amount of time to your project as you would to any other course with the same number of credit hours. You should meet with your project advisor regularly, to make sure that your project is meeting expectations. By the end of the semester, you must produce:

1. A paper describing your project, which will be published in the GVSU ScholarWorks repository.
2. A presentation, to be given during finals week.

CIS 693 are graded as either "PS" (Pass), "PD" (Pass with Distinction), or "NC" (No Credit). These grades do not affect a student's GPA.

The masters project is intended to be completed in a single semester, and you should make every effort to do so. However, if you are unable to complete your CIS 693 project in time, you may continue your project by taking CIS 696. This must be arranged with your project advisor prior to the end of the CIS 693 semester. During CIS 696, you are expected to continue the work from CIS 693, producing the required paper and presentation. Students needing extra time will be given an "X" (deferred) grade in CIS 693. Once the work is completed, the X grade will be changed to a final project grade.

1. Responsible Conduct of Research: Each graduate student must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training before 50% of their program is completed or before enrolling in a project or thesis.
   1. Applied Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Human Centered Computing, and Software Engineering students will complete the CITI online training module.
   2. Data Science and Analytics, and Health Informatics and Bioinformatics students will complete this requirement by taking PSM 650. PSM 650 includes formal instruction on ethical research practices, data integrity, authorship, research misconduct, and protections for human subjects and animal research, satisfying the university’s RCR training requirement. This ensures compliance with federal and institutional standards for responsible research.
2. Students considering registering for the CIS 690 thesis preparation class should decide on a topic for their thesis. Students are encouraged to review the research and project interests of faculty in advance, either through a department directory or faculty profile pages. This can help identify appropriate advisors whose areas of interest align with the student’s goals. The student should then meet with a faculty member who they would like to serve as their thesis advisor. Students should be prepared for the faculty member to suggest modification to the thesis plan, but should not expect the faculty member to provide them with a thesis topic. 
3. Once the student and advisor have agreed on the thesis topic and scope, the student should complete the Committee Membership Endorsement Form and get signatures from the student's Graduate Program Director and department chair ("unit head").
4. The student and the advisor should work together to choose committee members. Details about the number and makeup of a thesis committee can be found at the Graduate School.
5. The advisor and committee members will then sign the approval section of the form and forward it for additional signatures.
6. The student's Graduate Program Director will verify the faculty advisor, and once approved, create a section of CIS 690 for the faculty, if one does not already exist.
7. The GPD will then enter an override allowing the student to register.
8. Students should also submit a Thesis Committee Membership Endorsement Form to the graduate school.

CIS 690 should be treated by the student with the same attention as any other course. You are expected to devote the same amount of time to your thesis preparation as you would to any other course with the same number of credit hours. You should meet with your thesis advisor regularly, to make sure that your progress is satisfactory. By the end of the semester, you must produce:

1. Drafts of the introduction and background chapters of your thesis.
2. A thesis proposal presentation, to be given during finals week.

Upon completion of your thesis proposal, if it is approved by your committee, they will sign the thesis proposal completion section of the thesis form. You may then register for CIS 695 (you will need to request an override through Banner).

CIS 695 should be treated by the student as any other course. You are expected to devote the same amount of time to your thesis preparation as you would to any other course with the same number of credit hours. You should meet with your thesis advisor regularly, to make sure that your progress is satisfactory.

Students must give an oral defense of their thesis during the semester. The deadline for this presentation is set by the graduate school, and is several weeks before the end of the semester. Students must also complete their thesis document during this semester. While the thesis document itself is not due until the end of the semester, students must be sure to provide the committee sufficient time to read the thesis and suggest changes, and themselves enough time to incorporate such changes, before the date the thesis is due to be submitted to the graduate school.

Upon satisfactory completion, the committee will sign the last section of the thesis form, as well as the graduate school's Thesis Final Approval Form. This form must be signed by the committee and the Dean of the College of Computing prior to the graduate school's deadline for submission. It is the student's responsibility to finish with sufficient time available to collect all signatures. The graduate dean will sign final approval after reviewing the thesis. This may be several weeks after the end of the semester, if documents are submitted close to the deadline.

CIS 695 is graded as either "PS" (Pass), "PD" (Pass with Distinction), or "NC" (No Credit). These grades do not affect a student's GPA.

If you are unable to finish your thesis by the end of the semester in which you take CIS 695, you must enroll CIS 696 every semester until you complete your thesis. During CIS 696, you are expected to continue the work from CIS 693, producing the required thesis document and thesis defense presentation. Students needing extra time will be given an "X" (deferred) grade in CIS 695. Once the work is completed, the X grade will be changed to a final thesis grade.

In order to be awarded a degree, you must apply to graduate (normally during your last semester). See the Registrar's website for details and a graduating application form.

Applying for graduation will let your Graduate Program Director know to approve things like electives or substitutions in your myPath.

To be awarded a badge, please see the Badges section above.

Academic Resources

• The Writing Center is part of the GVSU Knowledge Market designed to help any student with writing.
• The Speech Lab is part of the GVSU Knowledge Market designed to help any student with presenting and speaking in front of people.
• The Graduate School has many links and forms to help graduate students.
• The Graduate Student Association is an excellent resource for getting involved and meeting people during graduate school.
• PACES (Professionalism Advancement Communications Engagement Success) is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and the GSA and presents professional development.
• The Registrar is the resource for academic records and policies, the academic calendar and deadlines, registration issues like overrides or holds, forms, and applying to graduation.
• Our catalog has a glossary of terms applicable to any student at this institution.

Practical Resources

• The International Students office can help guide you in all things immigration, I-20s, visas, and other things. They also host events and informational workshops.
• The Laker Line is part of the Greater Grand Rapids bus system, and its routes are free to all GVSU students. Daily rides are offered between the Allendale, Pew, and Health campuses.
• The Career Center can review resumes and cover letters, coach on interviews, and help with the internship and job search.

Social/Mental Resources

• The LGBT Resource Center offers events and supports for the LGBT community.
• Student Accessibility Resources offers supports for any impairment that affects performance in the academic setting, whether physical or mental.
• The University Counseling Center is here to listen when a GV student needs to talk it out.
• The Student Ombuds, Takeelia Garrett, can be contacted for issues outside of mental health, such as student employment, academic concerns, or conflict resolution.

Discover our student organizations!

Reach out to Graduate Programs Coordinator, Johanna Swanson, at [email protected]. To better advise you, please include your full name and your program.