Education advising appointments typically meet virtually through Zoom, phone, or an online/remote learning platform. You may meet in person if arranged with your advisor and as conditions allow.

• Current students may schedule advising using Navigate.
• Prospective students who want to discuss the steps to teacher certification may contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation at [email protected] or call (616) 331-6650.

GVSU's Education Programs work directly with school districts, the Michigan Department of Education, and university leadership to discuss the safest options for Field Placements. GVSU will abide by all community health guidelines. This includes optimal conditions for social distancing, sanitation, and health check protocols. We will provide information to students enrolled in field placements as soon as possible.

• Please check GVSU's Main Coronavirus Information page for updates on the university's plan for on-campus meetings, events, and classes.
• If an event or meeting needs to be converted to a virtual event or rescheduled, the Education programs will communicate via email with all involved as soon as we are able.

The latest information is available on the Lakers Together  Community Health Advisory Team website.

Kent County Health Department COVID-19 information

Ottawa County Health Department COVID-19 information

If you are an Education student and you suspect you may have COVID-19 or a related illness, please do the following:

1. Follow your placement school’s protocol regarding absences due to illness.
2. Contact your Education University Field Director or graduate practicum supervisor to let them know, and discuss any concerns.

If you are completing your Teacher Apprenticeship, Teacher Internship, or Graduate Practicum experience, you are expected to:

1. Adhere to the class/school schedule and structure (e.g., in-person, hybrid, online) of your assigned mentor teacher/school, or practicum, setting.
2. Follow the health and safety guidelines required by your school and classroom setting. 
3. Complete all requirements of the Teacher Apprenticeship, Teacher Internship, or Graduate Practicum experience outlined in your field course syllabi.

• Undergraduate students should contact their University Field Director to discuss concerns.  Should a shift need to be made, your UFD will coordinate with your Field Placement Specialist. 
• Graduate students should contact their Graduate Practicum Supervisor or Graduate Program Director.

All candidates being recommended for teacher, administrator, or school counselor licensure in the state of Michigan must complete the MDE required amount of clinical field experience hours. In addition, the field experience is necessary for candidates to demonstrate proficiency across the professional standards, so students are required to complete their clinical field experiences. Should the state of MI, GVSU, or your placement school determine the need to shift completely to remote instruction, the Education programs rely on guidance from the MDE about how candidates can complete the clinical field requirements. In such a case, we will do our best to ensure minimal disruption to your field clinical experience and that you have the opportunity to demonstrate the professional standards for your area of licensure.

Faculty carefully plan each semester. As able, seminars and professional development will be offered in-person, online synchronously (everyone online/in class at the same time), or in a hybrid format. Please refer to the Banner schedule to identify the format for your seminars, professional development, and other associated education courses.

Regardless of the format, all students are expected to fulfill the requirements indicated on the course syllabus. Any concerns related to meeting specified deadlines should be addressed with your seminar instructor, University Field Coordinator, or course instructor. 

Please refer to the following resource for concerns about using technology in your coursework or area schools. You may also contact your University Field Director or Graduate Program Director.

• Technology Requirements for Online/Hybrid Courses
• Tips for Online Learning

It depends on your individual circumstance. The GVSU Incomplete Grade Policy must be followed. All clinical field requirements must be satisfactorily completed to earn course credit and ensure that the earned grade is posted to the Banner system, prior to recommendation to the state for teacher, administrator, or school counselor certification and graduation.

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships with any tuition questions.

• Review the academic calendar to determine the deadlines associated with course payment.
• Special Circumstance and Financial Hardship Requests

Padnos International Center coordinates GVSU's study abroad programs as international travel conditions allow.