2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Office of Graduate and Lifetime Learning
Administration
Vice Provost: Kara Van Dam
Website
Mission
The Office of Graduate and Lifetime Learning promotes GVSU's growth in adult-serving, regionally distributed, alumni-relevant, career-ready, and enterprise-enabled solutions. Comprised of Alumni Relations, the Center for Adult and Continuing Studies (including the regional campuses of Traverse City, Detroit, and Battle Creek), the Career Center, and The Graduate School. Graduate and Lifetime Learning partners with stakeholders across the university to support all learners, particularly adult and graduate students, and alumni, in achieving their academic and professional development goals.
Program and Student Services Information
Alumni Relations
The GVSU Alumni Relations office empowers Grand Valley alumni to achieve their lifelong learning and professional development goals. We connect, inform, engage, and support alumni throughout every stage of their life and career. Contact us at (616) 331-3590 | [email protected] | gvsu.edu/alumni.
Center for Adult and Continuing Studies
The Center for Adult and Continuing Studies coordinates academic programs, services, and professional development for learners throughout the State of Michigan and beyond. For more information about programs and services available at Grand Valley's campuses and regional sites throughout Michigan, please contact us by phone at (616) 331-7180 or on the Web at gvsu.edu/learn.
Noncredit Professional Development
Adult and continuing studies noncredit professional development serves adults who are looking to refresh their skills, renew their licenses, or earn certificates primarily for the following types of positions: educators, marketers, physical therapists, safety specialists, and social workers. The department typically partners with academic departments, licensing agencies, or external content experts to provide market-relevant programs. A complete list of programs offered can be found at gvsu.edu/learn/professional.
Pre-admission and transfer advising: The staff recognize the unique needs of the nontraditional student and the multiple time constraints and demands of an individual's experience. Professional advisors are available to help students with individual support prior to and while attending GVSU. Services include transfer advising, adult and veteran support, and help with navigating the academic and cultural landscape of the university.
Accelerated degree completion for adults: The office also manages and supports a unique accelerated degree completion program specifically designed for the adult learner. The degree completion is offered online in six-week sessions. Details can be found online at gvsu.edu/complete.
The GVSU Career Center
The Career Center helps you explore career options, develop short- and long-term career plans, and connect with employers and professionals in your field of study. Through a variety of programs, events, one-on-one appointments, and virtual resources we can help you develop strategies that will lead to meaningful careers.
Career Center advisors work with undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni to determine their interests and values as they relate to career choices and provide career guidance or job/internship search assistance. Appointments, both in person and virtually, can be requested through our online posting system, Handshake, or you can call or stop by one of our two primary locations: 200 Lubbers Student Services Center and 101B DeVos Center, (616) 331-3311, [email protected].
REGIONAL CENTERS
Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center
Grand Valley State University Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center supports career exploration and provides individualized educational planning assistance to facilitate educational goal attainment. The center also supports the educational goals of K-12 students, transfer students, and adults in the community, while providing resources to assist Battle Creek Public Schools in their district transformation.
Our center staff is here to serve and help you with your educational goals including:
- College and career exploration
- College admission application and essay support
- College advising
- Support with FAFSA completion
- Scholarship application and essay support
To meet with one of our center advisors in-person, virtually, or by phone, please email [email protected] or call/text us at (616) 331-7610.
Detroit Center
The Grand Valley State University Detroit Center located at 163 Madison Street in downtown Detroit is the central hub for university activity in the heart of Michigan's largest city. The Detroit Center is available to hosts workshops, seminars, professional development, and other large gatherings.
Are you a Detroit-area student and need a place to work on a project, write a paper, study for tests, or read in a quiet, academic setting? The Detroit Center is available for personal study sessions or computer lab use. for all your study needs with rooms available to reserve. You can reserve a space right now in a classroom or computer lab any Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. We look forward to seeing you here soon!
Traverse City
Grand Valley State University's Traverse City Regional Center has been providing quality educational experiences to the northern Michigan community for more than 27 years. The center is located at the Northwestern Michigan College University Center and offers undergraduate degrees in allied health and integrative studies, as well as graduate degrees in education and physician assistant studies. In addition to degree programs, the center also provides certificate programs and a full range of student support services.
For more information about Grand Valley State University in Northern Michigan, interested individuals and organizations can contact (231) 995-1785 or visit gvsu.edu/traverse