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Not sure which program is right for you? Comparing programs is easy. Select any program from the dropdown menu below, then choose any additional programs of interest and click "Compare" to see them side by side.

x remove Data Science and Analytics, B.S. x remove Geospatial Technology Minor x remove Biomedical Informatics Graduate Badge x remove Integrative Studies, B.A., B.S. x remove Student-Initiated Combined Degree x remove Networking Fundamentals Graduate Badge x remove Business Fundamentals Undergraduate Certificate x remove Natural Resources and Environmental Management, B.S. x remove Spanish, B.A. x remove Social Media and Analytics Undergraduate Badge
Credits Required
120
21-23
9
120
Credits vary by program.
1
12
120
129
9
Format
Face To Face
Face To Face
Face To Face
Face To Face
Face To Face
Face To Face
Face To Face
Location

Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Undergraduate students in this program study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Classes for the program are on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

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Undergraduate students may complete this major study a variety of ways, including:

  • In person on the Grand Valley Allendale, Pew, and Traverse City campuses
  • Fully online
  • Through a mix of online and in-person classes offered on any of the campuses listed above


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Classes for the program are on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

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All undergraduate students begin their academic career on the Allendale Campus; upper division studies are downtown on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Classes are available in face to face format and may also be available in hybrid and online formats.

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Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Students in this program study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Coursework

The DS&A program consists of core computer science and statistics classes, along with specialized applications.

Some of these classes include:

  • Programming
  • Statistical computing
  • Data mining
  • Multivariate data analysis
  • Capstone project
  • Information visualization
  • Data science
  • Data analytics
  • Applied statistics
  • Data engineering
  • Applied machine learning
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Complete 21-23 credit hours and take the following required three-credit courses:

  • GPY 200 - Computer Cartography
  • GPY 307 - Introduction to Computer Mapping/GIS
  • GPY 370 - Intro to Remote Sensing

To complete the minor, choose four additional elective courses, see catalog for list.

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The biomedical informatics badge is comprised of three courses (nine credits). Classes are offered on Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

Required courses:

  • CIS 661 - Introduction to Health and Bioinformatics
  • CIS 665 - Clinical Information Systems

And one of the following:

  • CIS 635 - Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
  • CIS 660 - Information Management and Science
  • CIS 671 - Information Visualization
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Each program includes a unique curriculum that allows a student to count up to 12 graduate credit hours toward both their undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. The undergraduate and graduate degree programs a student selects will determine the actual curriculum.

A plan of study is developed by the student, faculty advisors, and graduate program directors that satisfies all degree requirements. This plan will designate courses to be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

General program requirements follow the Bachelor/Graduate Combined Degree Policy and include at a minimum:

  • Fulfillment of the requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  • Completion of responsible conduct of research training.
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The badge is a one-credit course:

  • CIS 511 - Networking Fundamentals
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The business fundamentals certificate is comprised of 12 credits:

  • ACC 201 - Accounting for Non-Business Majors 1* (1.5 credits)
  • ACC 202 - Accounting for Non-Business Majors 2* (1.5 credits)
  • FIN 300 - Fundamentals of Finance for Non-Business Majors* (3 credits)
  • MGT 300 - Fundamentals of Management for Non-Business Majors (3 credits)
  • MKT 300 - Fundamentals of Marketing for Non-Business Majors (3 credits)

*MTH 110 course prerequisite

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Students study a variety of topics, including:

  • Fisheries, wildlife, and forest conservation
  • Geographic information systems
  • Natural resources policy
  • Restoration ecology
  • Soil science
  • Watershed management
  • Wildland fire management
  • Wildland recreation management
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Coursework covers all aspects of language and related cultures, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Additional practical skills gained include:

  • Cultural competency, critical thinking, and analysis
  • Flexibility, communication, and working with others
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The digital badge is comprised of three courses, a total of nine credits:

  • CAP 330 - Social Media Strategy
  • CAP 331 - Social Media Analytics
  • CAP 415 - Social Media Campaigns
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Career Options

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts data science needs will create roughly 11.5 million job openings by 2026. The World Economic Forum indicates data scientists and analysts have become the number one emerging role in the world. The role of a data scientist has been named the number one job in the U.S. by Glassdoor.

In the lower peninsula of Michigan, northern Ohio, and Indiana, there are 27,884 unique postings with average salaries of $78.2K. Data science job postings in West Michigan have increased 38.9% since 2019.

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Alumni have found rewarding careers in:

  • Big data visualization
  • Business GIS analyzing
  • Community analysis and development
  • Computer mapping
  • Environmental resource management
  • Geospatial intelligence
  • Satellite remote sensing
  • Urban and regional planning
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Employers seek integrative studies graduates on the strength of their creativity, versatility, and critical thinking skills, across every sector of the workforce. Graduates can be found at:

  • Apple Inc.
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights
  • Americorps
  • Eli Lily
  • Heartside Ministries
  • Priority Health
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Public and private sector employers include:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Conservation districts
  • Consulting firms
  • Local units of government
  • State and federal agencies
  • University research labs
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  • Business
  • Education
  • Media - journalism, social media, communications
  • Government
  • International relations
  • Health professions
  • Social work and nonprofit organizations
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Application Deadline
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Skills Employers Want
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The B.A. and B.S. in Integrative Studies at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.

  • Leadership
  • Customer service
  • Research
  • Strategic thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Team building
  • Project management
  • Event management
  • Communications
  • Intercultural competence

Source: EMSI, 2020

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The B.A. in Natural Resources Management at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.

  • Natural Resources Management
  • Field Research
  • Environmental Science
  • Biology
  • ArcGIS (GIS Software)
  • Ecology
  • Agriculture
  • Data Analysis

Source: EMSI, 2020

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The B.A. in Spanish at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.

  • Spanish Language
  • Teaching
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Leadership
  • Language Arts
  • Social Change
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Source: EMSI, 2020

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