The Graduate School at GVSU

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

PACES Professional Development Program

The PACES program offers professional development opportunities for students, and helps students increase their professionalism, academic advancement, communication, engagement and success. Graduate school is an important balance of gaining an academic skill set and networking within your field. PACES can help you succeed in both. By participating in PACES, students will be supported in developing communications, interview, stress management and debt management skills – among other critical and timely topics. Check out the website to view the exciting events coming up! 

Recent Highlights

Student Success: Jowei Yek

When Jowei Yek was presented with the option to pursue a master’s degree, he knew GVSU was his top choice. Jowei was largely drawn by the rich, nurturing network he built during his undergraduate tenure. He is grateful for the option and institutional support to complete two master's programs in Business Administration and Social Innovation, concurrently. For the past three years, Jowei developed a strong sensitivity to community issues and systems thinking through the PMASI program and expanded his toolkit to solve complex business challenges. His 3-year tenure as the Graduate Assistant at the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation also allowed him to put his coursework into practice by guiding GVSU students to create businesses that solve unique issues for communities everywhere. Jowei wishes to coalesce all these mindsets into his future career and community involvement.

Read the full article about Jowei, here.

Jowei Yek
24/25 gsa e board

2024-2025 Graduate Student Association Executive Board

The Graduate Student Association has concluded the search for a new executive board for the 2024-2025. These are the five fresh faces ready to serve the graduate students at GVSU:

  • Lauren King- President
  • Silvester Mbugua- Vice President
  • Mae Zurita- Communications Officer
  • Mitchell Gingras- Administrative Officer
  • Albert Okwei- Finance Officer

 

Learn more about the newly elected officials here.

The Annual Report

The Graduate School’s 2022-2023 Annual Report is now available for viewing. Learn more about the events that were hosted by The Graduate School such as the Fall and Winter Academic Citation Awards, Graduate Showcase, and the 3 Minute Thesis Competition, just to name a few. The Annual Report also shares data about all of the programs, certificates, and badges that Grand Valley offers for graduate students, along with policy updates. Check out the interesting facts here.  

3 Minute Thesis Competition 2024

The 3-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT), now in its ninth year, provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to gain experience in presenting and sharing their research with the broader community. There were 17 participants this year who competed on Valentine's Day in Loosemore Auditorium, which was a record-breaking number! The winner of the competition, Jowei Yek, will represent GVSU at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 3-Minute Thesis competition in April. Read the full story on GVForum. 

  • First Place: Jowei Yek, business, "Perceived Costs and Benefits to Employing International Students"
  • Second Place: Kate Lucas, biology, "Impact of Climate Change and Restoration on Phosphorus Loading in an Impaired Wetland"
  • Third Place: Rheyna Bui, communications, "Identity Negotiations of Multiracial Vietnamese Americans Through the Lens of Hybridity"
  • People's Choice: Grace Forlines, public health, "Exercise for Everybody: Inclusive Fitness Programming for College Students with Disabilities"

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.

Communications Graduate Students Attend the NCA Convention

Two graduate students, Taylor Deschaine-Hurd and Rheyna Bui presented their research at the 2023 National Communication Association Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. They were accompanied by GVSU professors Corey Anton, Anthony Spencer, Imran Mazid, Richard Besel, and Peter Zhang. To learn more about their research and the impact of networking, read the full story here

Student Success: Henry Peña

Henry Peña is a humble, hardworking student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, graduating in April. He currently serves as the President of the Graduate Student Association. As a Registered Nurse, Henry’s passion for healthcare is connected to his commitment to leadership, education, advocacy work, and serving others. The diverse experiences and responsibilities he has undertaken through the Cook Leadership Academy, his graduate assistantship, academic pursuits, and his leadership roles have collectively shaped an academic career that is not only fulfilling, but allows Henry to contribute, meaningfully, to the advancement of nursing and healthcare as a whole.

Check out the full story here. 

Henry Pena

International Students

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

Masters and Doctoral Degrees: See a full listing of our Graduate Programs, as well as, our Online and Hybrid Graduate Programs. 

Combined Bachelor/Master Degree Programs: Learn about all of our Combined Bachelor/Master degree programs. GVSU also offers a Student Initiated Combined Degree program.

Graduate Certificates and Badges: GVSU also offers a number of Certificate Programs and Graduate Badges.




Page last modified August 6, 2024