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 Thesis Competition 2025 Winners

The 3-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT), now in its tenth year, offers graduate students a unique opportunity to present and share their research with the broader community. This year’s event saw a record-breaking 10 participants competing on February 26 in Loosemore Auditorium. The winner of the competition, Ruth Yeboah, will represent GVSU at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 3-Minute Thesis competition in April. Read the full story on GVForum. 

FIRST PLACE

Ruth Yeboah, an international student from Ghana, explores the intersection of identity, culture, and communication. She earned her Bachelor’s in English Education in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Communication at Grand Valley State University. As a researcher, Ruth examines how African students in the U.S. navigate language, technology, and cultural adaptation, shaping hybrid identities in higher education. Beyond academia, she is passionate about global education, DEI initiatives, and student-centered learning, advocating for inclusive policies that support international student success.

Presentation Title: Africanism in America: Exploring Hybrid Identities of African Students in the U.S.

SECOND PLACE

Renée Tardani has been a lifelong resident of Muskegon County and obtained her B.S. In Biology-Botany and Biomedical Sciences from Grand Valley State University in 2018. After working in multiple labs, she entered the Partridge Lab in 2020 as an hemlock wooly adelgid call-in technician and has worked at AWRI in both the Rediske and Partridge Labs as an adjunct research technician. She has collaborated with projects related to eDNA tracking of invasive species, SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance through MDHHS, beach monitoring with Public Health Muskegon County for fecal indicator bacteria on public beaches, and microbial source tracking of recreational waters. Her graduate thesis with Dr. Charlyn Partridge focuses on molecular assessment of cyanobacteria populations in local waters and is actively collaborating with the EPA and Steinman lab to explore species compositional changes following interventional strategies on a mesocosm scale.

Presentation Title: Cyanobacteria Bloom Dynamics Along Inland Public Beaches in Muskegon County

THIRD PLACE

Eric Opoku is a Data Science and Analytics MSc student at GVSU hailing from Ghana, with a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana. His research focuses on resource-aware multi-modal AI systems, lightweight federated machine learning, deep learning for medical imaging, and scalable healthcare AI solutions for resource-constrained environments. In his free time, Eric enjoys teaching kids, jogging, and exploring new technologies.

Presentation Title: Breaking the Cycle: Predicting Diabetic Readmissions with AI

THIRD PLACE

Kaylynne Dennis is a current graduate student at GVSU pursuing a master’s degree in biology with a focus in Aquatic Science. She completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State in Zoology, dual focusing in Marine Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and the Organismal Body. Her passion for water and climate change studies led her to Dr. Bopi Biddanda’s lab at the Annis Water Resources Institute where she uses long-term monitoring and high-frequency data collection to analyze trends over time in her local freshwater system of Muskegon Lake.  

Presentation Title: Using Long Term Carbon Cycling Trends to Understand the Effects of Climate Change on a Great Lakes Estuary

THIRD PLACE

Leya Shekanena is a graduate student in the Adult Higher Education program at Grand Valley State University. She is an avid reader, writer, and teacher of English

Presentation Title: Black Women and Harm

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Kenta Abe, an international student from Japan, is a current Master of Public Health Candidate at GVSU, studying epidemiology. He obtained a Bachelor of Intercultural Communication at the Hosei University in Tokyo, and a Master of Technology in Innovation for Design and Engineering (AI and Data Science Enhanced) at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo. His interest is now epidemiological analysis of Parkinson's disease.

Presentation Title: How Chromosome 12 SNPs and Environmental Factors Contribute to Parkinson’s Disease?

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Ruth Yeboah, an international student from Ghana, explores the intersection of identity, culture, and communication. She earned her Bachelor’s in English Education in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Communication at Grand Valley State University. As a researcher, Ruth examines how African students in the U.S. navigate language, technology, and cultural adaptation, shaping hybrid identities in higher education. Beyond academia, she is passionate about global education, DEI initiatives, and student-centered learning, advocating for inclusive policies that support international student success.

Presentation Title: Africanism in America: Exploring Hybrid Identities of African Students in the U.S.

GVSU Graduate School 2023-2024 Annual Report

The 2023-2024 Annual Report showcases the Graduate School’s commitment to academic and professional excellence. With 45 graduate programs and 27 combined degree options, GVSU continues to prepare students for impactful careers. This year’s highlights include the 3-Minute Thesis Competition, Graduate Showcase, and Citations for Academic Excellence, along with initiatives like PACES Professional Development and Presidential Research Grants. As GVSU looks ahead, the Graduate School remains dedicated to innovation, inclusivity, and student success. 

Check out the full Annual Report here. 

Grand Valley State University Secures $2.86 Million Grant to Expand School-Based Mental Health Services

The School Psychology graduate faculty at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is thrilled to announce that they will be receiving $2.86 million Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Grant. Funded through the United States Department of Education, the grant will support critical mental health initiatives over the next five years.

The grant project, titled M-MINDS (Meeting Mental health Implementation Needs for Districts and Students), focuses on training a new generation of school-based mental health providers. The program aligns with the Department of Education’s goal of increasing the number and diversity of professionals equipped to deliver evidence-based, culturally-responsive mental health interventions in schools.

Read the full article about the grant here. 

Fall 2024 Citation Awards Recap

On December 6th, The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University recognized the outstanding achievements of 47 individuals through the Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards celebrate graduate students and faculty members who have demonstrated 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 were nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion.

The nominations underwent a thorough review process conducted by the Interim Vice Provost for the Graduate School, who approved 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!

For the complete list of awardees, please check out this article.

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.  

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