Graduate Program Information

Admission Requirements

All students seeking degree, endorsement, approval, license or certificate change must be formally admitted to graduate study. When completing the graduate application, be sure to check the box for "degree-seeking," even if you are applying for an endorsement, approval, license, or certificate change.

A maximum of six graduate credits earned at GVSU prior to being officially admitted as a degree-seeking student may count toward your graduate program requirements.

In addition to university admissions requirements in the GVSU Catalog, students must meet the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Admission Criteria.

Prospective international graduate students are encourage to consult with the program contact listed below prior to application to ensure the program supports their immigration status/visa requirements.


Graduate Programs


Graduate Teaching Certification (GTC)

The Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) program is designed for individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree and are now interested in obtaining an initial, standard teaching certificate. This full-time, intensive teacher preparation program begins each May and runs for three semesters. Students completing the GTC program have the option to take 5 additional courses to complete the full master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum at the Elementary or Secondary level.

To learn more about the specific requirements for Elementary Certification or Secondary Certification, a candidate's first step is to register for and attend an Information Session. Candidates can sign up for their appropriate Information Session (Elementary vs. Secondary) on the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program website.

Program Contact: 

Office of Certification and Accreditation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6650


Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs

Educational Leadership

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Leadership offers two emphasis areas.

Educational Leadership

Focuses on theory, research, relevance, and practice to prepare graduates to serve in building-level leadership positions.

Program Contact:

Rick Vandermolen, Ed.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6272

Special Education Administration

Prepares educators to work in K-12 special education administrative settings, including leadership theory, programs and services, law, curriculum and instruction, and evaluation.

Program Contact:

Nichole Moore, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6236


Higher Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education prepares educators to become effective practitioners in higher education administrative roles, facilitate student learning and promote student success, and shape inclusive higher education communities. The program offers two emphasis areas: 1) Adult and Higher Education and 2) College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL).

Graduates of the M.Ed. in Higher Education will be equipped with the theoretical basis to serve in student affairs positions such as admissions, orientation, housing, campus recreation, and more.

Program Contact:

Laila McCloud, Ph.D.
Email: m[email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6293


Instruction and Curriculum

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Instruction and Curriculum offers four emphasis areas.

Early Childhood Education

Prepares educators to work with children from birth through age eight. The program is designed to further students’ understanding of developmentally appropriate instruction and assessment, as well as how to work with families and support children with special needs.

NOTE: This program does not lead to initial teacher certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.

Program Contact:

Kathryn Ohle, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6662

Educational Differentiation

Prepares educators to understand and adapt lessons to the needs of students with exceptional abilities in a mixed-ability classroom.

Program Contact:

Kelly Margot, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6247

Elementary Education

Prepares educators in advanced content area instructional methods for the elementary classroom, curriculum development, assessment practices, and building a positive classroom and school environment.

NOTE: This program does not lead to initial teacher certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.

Program Contact:

Ellen Schiller, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-7126

Secondary Education

Prepares educators in curriculum development, assessment practices, and advanced instructional methods for the secondary classroom.

NOTE: This program does not lead to initial teacher certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.

Program Contact:

Sherie Klee, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-2076


Learning, Design, and Technology

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Learning, Design, and Technology program prepares professionals to design and develop effective, engaging instruction and empirically-grounded learning environments that utilize technology effectively in a variety of settings, including PK- 12, higher education, business, non-profits, and other training settings. This program integrates powerful contemporary ideas about learning with emergent technologies to design and evaluate learning environments, products, and programs.

Program Contact:

Beomkyu Choi, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6225


Literacy Studies

Reading and Language Arts

Prepares educators to enhance classroom instruction through effective literacy practices with the following program options:

  • General Literacy Studies provides literacy professionals with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet students' literacy needs.
  • Elementary Reading and Secondary Reading for educators interested in facilitating student literacy learning with an emphasis on classroom instruction
  • K-12 Reading Specialist for educators interested in literacy coaching and administration/supervision of district-wide reading and literacy programs

Program Contact:

Elizabeth Stolle, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6242


School Counseling

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling prepares educators for careers as school counselors in K-12 public, private, and charter schools. The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and guided by the American School Counselor Association National Model.  Coursework is designed to provide students with the skills needed to develop and manage a comprehensive school counseling program.

Interim Program Contact:

Cathy Meyer-Looze, Ed.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6280


Special Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education prepares educators to effectively teach students with disabilities in multiple settings. The program receives the highest level of national recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children.

This master's degree offers emphasis areas in:

  • Cognitive Impairment: Prepares educators to obtain a special education teaching endorsement in cognitive impairment and instruct students with cognitive impairment or severe multiple impairments in grades K-12 and up to age 26.
  • Learning Disabilities: Prepares educators to obtain a special education teaching endorsement in learning disabilities and instruct students with learning disabilities in grades K-12.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder: Prepares educators to obtain a special education teaching endorsement in autism spectrum disorder and instruct students with an autism spectrum disorder in grades K-12 and up to age 26.

NOTE: This M.Ed. program does not lead to initial teacher certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.

Program Contact:

Joe Fisher, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6189


Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)

The Educational Specialist in Leadership (Ed.S.) degree offers candidates the opportunity to expand their knowledge skills, networking, and career opportunities. The program builds on the master's degree and develops leadership practitioners for school and/or central office administrative positions. In addition, it makes for an excellent transition to Ed.D. programs at partnering universities.

GVSU Educational Specialist Degree spotlight

Jim Knoll, Superintendent of Edwardsburg Public School, discusses GVSU's Educational Specialist Degree program.

Program Contact:

Gregory Warsen, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6272


Graduate Endorsements

GVSU offers Education endorsements at the graduate level for students who already hold a Michigan Teaching Certificate. See PDF links below for the Planned Programs and the Education Course List page for full course descriptions. 

Tuition and Fees

PDF Instructions:

To view the PDF Planned Program sheets, you will need to use Adobe Reader (using Adobe Reader prevents tab order errors and other inconveniences present in browser-based PDF readers).

Educational Leadership Endorsements


Instruction and Curriculum Endorsements

The Instruction and Curriculum endorsements are designed for currently certified educators to add an additional endorsement to their current teaching certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.


Literacy Studies Endorsements

GVSU also offers a non-teaching Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESOL). The ESOL certificate does not result in Michigan teaching certification or lead to an additional endorsement for students who already hold a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESOL)


Special Education Endorsements

The Special Education endorsements are designed for currently certified educators to add an additional endorsement to their current teaching certification. Please see the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) Program if you are seeking initial teacher certification.


Additional Endorsements

For additional content area endorsements that may be added to a current teaching certificate, visit the CLAS Academic Advising Center's Endorsements page.


Graduate Certificates (non-teaching)


Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Grand Valley State University has partnered with other Michigan universities to provide pathways for completing a Doctoral program in Educational Leadership. These programs are designed to develop leaders to demonstrate reflective thought and scholarship within the context of a culturally diverse society.

Program Contact:

Gregory Warsen, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-6209


Gainful Employment Disclosure

Grand Valley State University provides an environment that allows students to successfully complete their education and obtain thriving careers. The gainful employment regulation requires certificate programs to meet minimum thresholds with respect to the dept-to-income rates of their graduates. GVSU is engaged with the community to prepare the students for real-life experiences, which allow for gainful employment. 

Click here to read more about the Gainful Employment Disclosure information. 



Page last modified January 29, 2024