We're glad you're considering a graduate degree from Grand Valley State University. Each of our graduate programs offers the connections, experiences, and superior value you need to open more doors, create more opportunities, and set yourself apart.

The Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) account is available for alumni to use for future classes at GVSU.

You can now explore GVSU graduate programs on the go by tuning into our program podcasts. These podcasts are filled with information about our graduate programming. Visit our podcast page and choose your program of interest to get started.

How Will You Benefit?

Individuals with graduate degrees have unique access to opportunities for:

• Career Advancement
• Career Flexibility
• Recognition & Credibility
• Financial Rewards

Why Choose GVSU?

Our graduates drive innovation within their chosen fields, benefiting from graduate programs designed around:

• Real-world research opportunities
• Vibrant service-learning
• Community connections
• Diversity & Inclusion

The Graduate School

The Graduate School (TGS) provides leadership and support and aims to prepare GVSU graduates to become:

• Effective leaders in their field
• Engaged, lifelong learners
• Scholars who excel in a global environment

3 Minute Scholar Competition

The 3 Minute Scholar event, sponsored by the Graduate School, took place on October 29th where faculty members highlighted their current research projects. The idea of 3MS was started by organizers Erica Hamilton, Vice Provost for Distributed Learning and Dean of the Graduate School, and Jennifer Moore, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, to give faculty members the opportunity to showcase creative projects or research to represent the teacher-scholar model at Grand Valley State University. The 3MS event is already in planning for next year.

Fall 2025 Graduate School Citations

The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University recognizes the outstanding achievements of 39 individuals through the Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards celebrate graduate students and faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and academic performance in graduate education. The selection process reflects a collaborative effort, with graduate students being nominated by faculty, advisors, program directors, and departmental leaders, while faculty members are nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion. All nominations undergo a thorough review process conducted by the Vice Provost for the Graduate School, who approves the final selections. This celebration highlights the university's commitment to academic excellence and its pride in the remarkable accomplishments of its graduate community. Congratulations to all the award recipients!

To explore the full awards program and learn more about each honoree, please click here.

The Graduate Student Within the Assistantship - Sydney Bunk

Sydney Bunk is a master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program and serves as a Graduate Assistant for Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs in the Padnos International Center. Sydney is passionate about connecting students with study abroad opportunities and promoting events for students across campus. She works closely with faculty, updates the center’s website, assists in Faculty Led Programs, as well as many other tasks she accomplishes on a day-to-day basis.

After graduation, Sydney wants to pursue higher education and guide students to have amazing experiences in their college journey. She loves talking to people and learning about their individual experiences. Her time in the Padnos International Center has better prepared her for learning many different backgrounds and being able to take that information to help other students on their individual journeys.

The Graduate Student Within the Assistantship - Brennen Stevens

Master of Criminal Justice student, Brennen Stevens, has become a loyal and dedicated asset to the Writing Center at GVSU. Between his time at GV as an undergraduate student to now a graduate student, he has devoted six years to helping students with their writing needs. Stevens is currently a Graduate Assistant for the Seidman College of Business where he provides one-on-one support to all student writers.

Brennen explained how his graduate assistantship has allowed him to continue expanding his experience in the Writing Center. He has been able to further refine and explore technical writing, which has also strengthened his understanding of grant writing. He has gained experience with forms of writing he hadn’t encountered often before, better preparing him to handle a wider range of writing genres in the future. 

Library of Things: Expanding Access Beyond Books

Grand Valley’s University Libraries has launched the Library of Things, a unique collection that goes beyond books to provide students with access to tools, games, and everyday essentials. Located on the first floor of the Mary Idema Pew Library, the collection includes practical items like sewing machines, crutches, car tools, and calculators, as well as recreational options such as board games, puzzles, and lawn games. The goal is to meet students’ one-time or occasional needs, reducing barriers related to cost and accessibility. Developed through campus surveys and community input, the Library of Things continues to grow with new additions like zine-making kits, with plans for future items such as bird-watching and book club kits.

GVSU Researchers Study Predator-Prey Dynamics in Forest Ecosystem

Where in the Woods is Carmen Sandiego? GVSU biology professor and interim assistant vice provost Jennifer Moore, Ph.D. is leading a fascinating, multi-year research project tracking threatened wood turtles and their raccoon predators in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. Alongside a dedicated team of student researchers, Moore is working to better understand and protect these vulnerable reptiles in a changing ecosystem. Learn how raccoons like "Jelly Roll" and turtles like "Carmen Sandiego" are helping researchers uncover key insights to support conservation.

Read more about the project and meet the creatures at the heart of this important work here!

Explore GVSU Virtually!

University Marketing is excited to offer new virtual campus tours, which pair well with Grand Valley’s interactive campus map. These VR-compatible tours provide detailed information and visuals, allowing you to explore Grand Valley from anywhere.

The map and tours are a great way to showcase Grand Valley’s facilities, helping new and prospective graduate students get more familiar with our campuses.

You can find the Allendale tour at www.gvsu.edu/allendaletour and the Grand Rapids tour at www.gvsu.edu/grtour.

Plagiarism, RCR Training, and AI Video

Embark on an exploration of academic integrity in our Plagiarism, RCR (Responsible Conduct of Research), and AI usage training video. Learn about the nuances of originality and ethical scholarship as we briefly navigate the intricacies of proper citation, attribution, and the ethical principles that underpin scholarly endeavors. Discover in this brief video how to uphold integrity in your research practices, safeguard the credibility of your work, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge with honor and accountability.

Greetings from The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University!  Our goal is to make your search for a Graduate Program as simple as possible, and to invite you to our campus. We have put together many resources to help support you throughout your process. 

International Graduate Student Credit Requirements

Starting Fall 2023, new and returning international students are no longer permitted to take a majority of their courses online. Immigration is reverting to pre-COVID rules as follows:

G​​​​​​raduate students must take at least 9 credits each Fall & Winter semester

• At least 6 of those credits must be in-person
• 1 class (3 credits) maximum can be taught in an online format, if taking the minimum course load of 9 credits
• Hybrid courses will be considered in-person if it meets in person at least 25% of the time (approximately 4 weeks of in-person meeting in a standard semester).
• If taking more than the minimum course load (more than 9 credits), the additional credits can be online

Examples:

• 9 credits: 6 credits in-person, 3 credits (1 class) online ✔ permitted
• 9 credits: 6 credits in-person, 3 credits (3 classes) online ✘ not permitted
• 12 credits total: 6 credits in-person, 6 credits (4 classes) online ✔ permitted
• 12 credits total: 3 credits in-person, 9 credits online ✘ not permitted