2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Seidman College of Business
Administration
Dean: Lawson
Website
Mission
Seidman develops business talent that advances sustainable growth in West Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. Through the exchange and application of knowledge from global and diverse perspectives, we prepare learners to make ethically informed decisions that positively impact the economy, environment, and society. Our distinctiveness is grounded in strong community collaborations, applied scholarly contribution, innovative approaches to learning, and a supportive culture.
The Legacy of Seidman
Program Information
The Seidman College of Business was named in honor of the late Frank Edward Seidman, who for more than 50 years was a distinguished member of the Grand Rapids business community and a partner in the national accounting firm of BDO Seidman. He was nationally recognized as a business and civic leader, an economist, and a philanthropist. For many years, he wrote a newspaper column on business and economics and contributed to numerous professional journals. He was also the co-author of three technical books, including Legislative History of the Federal Income Tax Law, Financing the War, and Accounting Handbook.
F.E. Seidman worked for both his bachelor's and master's degrees in commercial science by attending night classes at New York University. He placed a high value on education and was devoted to improving educational opportunities for people from all backgrounds. F.E. Seidman was especially dedicated to improving the level of competence in the business and public sectors, not only in his own firm, but also in all of the organizations it audited.
F.E. Seidman was, in every sense, a creative businessman. He was chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on the Michigan Tax Study and of the Michigan State Board of Accountancy. He was a director of the Grand Rapids Community Chest and the Community Services of Kent County for 25 years and was a long-time director of the Grand Rapids Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization of its kind in the area. As a trustee of the Thomas Erler Seidman Foundation, named for a deceased son, he was instrumental in providing youth-building and educational opportunities for thousands of young people in the Grand Rapids area, as well as providing funds for the Seidman House at Grand Valley.
In establishing the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley intended to embody the philosophy, ideas, and spirit of Seidman and to provide a place to gain an education in business and administration in West Michigan.
Just as quality was the hallmark of F.E. Seidman's efforts, so, too, is quality in education the touchstone of Seidman College of Business. Grand Valley's purpose has been to honor the man not merely by affixing his name to the college, but by perpetuating the high ideals to which he personally dedicated himself.
The Seidman College of Business offers programs in business and economics leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), a Master of Science in accounting (M.S.A.), and a Master of Science in taxation (M.S.T.). The Seidman College of Business in partnership with Michigan State University College of Law also offers the opportunity to participate in a "3+3" legal education admission program leading to a B.B.A. and J.D. in approximately six years. For a description of the B.S. and B.A. economics program, see the Economics section. Please contact the Seidman College of Business Student Academic Services Office for additional information.
Through these programs, the college helps students learn to gather the information upon which effective management is based, make rational decisions on the basis of that information, plan for the effective implementation of those decisions, and monitor their consequences. Students develop an understanding of the functional areas of business, the dynamics of competitive and cooperative group process, formal and informal organizational behavior, and the culture of business.
Students also gain knowledge of the external environment of business, developing a perspective on contemporary global business through historical and international comparisons. Students understand the ways in which business and management are responding to current social, economic, political, international, and technological challenges.
Undergraduate students may major in accounting, business economics, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, general business, general management, human resources management, international business, marketing, operations management, and supply chain management. An emphasis in management information systems is available in the management program. Emphases in general marketing, distribution and logistics, and sales are available in the marketing program. There are also opportunities for students who do not wish to enter a degree program to take courses that apply to their professional interests.
The college makes every effort to accommodate the varying needs of its students. People employed full-time, for example, can enroll in many evening classes. Those who are not employed can gain valuable experience through internships with area businesses and government agencies.
Graduate students may pursue master's degrees in accounting, business administration, or taxation.
Academic Units
School of Accounting
Economics Department
Finance Department
Management Department
Marketing Department
Seidman Business Services
Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Family Owned Business Institute
Koeze Business Ethics Initiative
Michigan-Small Business Development Center - West Michigan Region
Michigan-Small Business Development Center Michigan Lead Center
Seidman Financial Planning Certificate Program
U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center
Van Andel Global Trade Center
Refer to the Community Resources section of this catalog for descriptions of the previously listed centers, institutes, and initiatives.
Dean's Early Access Invitation
Eligibility Criteria
- High school (HS) seniors who have been admitted to GVSU
- 3.500 or higher overall HS GPA
- 26 or higher ACT score or 1240 SAT
Those who have applied to Grand Valley State University and meet the above criteria will automatically be sent information regarding the steps necessary to accept the dean's early access invitation. If you have updated test scores or ACT/SAT scores that meet the criteria, please notify the Admissions and Recruitment Office at (616) 331-2025.
Advantages of Dean's Early Access Invitation
Early access to upper-level business courses:
Typically, students begin their 200-level business courses in their sophomore year and their 300-level business courses in their junior year. When students accept their early access invitation from the dean, they are eligible for 200-level business courses in their first year as a student and 300-level business courses prior to junior standing. The 200-level Seidman courses include ACC 212, BUS 201, ECO 210, ECO 211, MGT 268, plus STA 215.
Early access to a faculty advisor:
When students accept the invitation, they will be assigned a faculty advisor in their business major. Faculty advisors assist with questions regarding career, elective course selection, and graduate school guidance.
Students must also meet with a professional advisor in the Seidman Undergraduate Programs Office each semester. The professional advising staff assists students with degree progression toward graduation.
Seidman Success Standards
The Seidman College of Business permits access to 300- and 400-level business courses after meeting the following Seidman College of Business success standards.
- 55 earned semester hours (junior status)
- 2.5 or higher overall GPA
- Completion of the following courses with a 2.5 or higher combined GPA: ACC 212, BUS 201, ECO 210, ECO 211, MGT 268, STA 215
Once a student has met the Seidman College of Business success standards, they must maintain a 2.5 minimum overall GPA to remain eligible for 300- and 400-level business courses.
For graduation, Seidman College of Business majors must have an overall GVSU GPA and business major GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Catalog Year Stipulations
Students admitted to GVSU under a catalog year prior to 2016-2017 will follow the Seidman College of Business' secondary admission criteria:
- Established 2.750 overall GPA
- 55 earned semester hours (junior status)
All eligible students are admitted upon meeting both criteria and must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 Seidman GPA to graduate.
General Education
All business students must complete the general education requirements (see section on General Education). This program will develop a base of general education upon which business administration education will rest. Included is a broad spectrum of liberal arts, mathematics, and science courses. During their junior and senior years, students will take a variety of business administration courses in different areas that provide a strong general business and administration background. Additionally, they will complete courses applicable to one of the specific majors offered.
Graduate Admission
The graduate business programs are open to qualified individuals with a bachelor's degree from accredited colleges and universities.
No particular undergraduate major is necessary for students selecting the M.B.A., M.S.A., or M.S.T. programs, although candidates may be required to show proof of foundational competencies in business subjects before attempting advanced work. It is recommended that M.S.T. students have a background in accounting or law.
Candidates are admitted to the master's degree programs in business administration, accounting, or taxation based on criteria that have been shown to predict success in graduate business programs, including previous academic performance, career history, performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) if required, and evidence of other competencies related to academic program and workplace success. A TOEFL score of at least 80 (IBT) is also required of applicants whose first language is not English.
M.B.A. Admission
The Seidman College of Business seeks individuals who want to build a meaningful career. Admission to the Seidman M.B.A. program is competitive as the M.B.A. Admissions Committee carefully considers each applicant. The M.B.A. Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to candidate evaluation with consideration of relevant professional experience, potential for career growth, academic ability, leadership qualities, communication and interpersonal skills, and motivation for success. Applicants with managerial, operational, or decision-making experience receive preference for admission. Seidman purposefully maintains a relatively small class size and values candidates with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, cultures, and talents. No particular undergraduate major is necessary for students applying to the M.B.A. program. Instead, candidates must demonstrate competency in background business subjects.
To apply, students should
- complete the M.B.A. application (including essay/personal statement);
- submit official transcripts;
- submit a recent resume;
- provide two graduate references; and
- provide official GMAT scores (if applicable).
International students may be required to submit additional documents as part of their admission materials.
Individuals who submit all required documents may be selected for an interview as part of the admission process.
Waiver of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Requirement
Most prospective graduate business students take the GMAT. The GMAT is strongly recommended and may be used to strengthen the applicant's profile. A GMAT waiver is an option for highly qualified individuals.
To be considered for a GMAT waiver, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- Document at least three years of relevant professional experience that shows increased responsibilities over that period.
- Document having earned an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); other graduate exams may be considered by request.
- A transcripted undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher from an AACSB-accredited business program.
- A transcripted undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher from a regionally accredited university in any major.
- Documented having earned a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited program.
Meeting the criteria to waive the GMAT does not guarantee admission to the M.B.A. program. Even those who are eligible to waive should consider taking the GMAT because a strong score increases the likelihood of admission.
Executive M.B.A.
EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) serves experienced professionals. Applicants are evaluated on professional experience, leadership potential, prior academic performance, and employer recommendation.
Student Programs
Graduate Independent Study
Individualized study may be available for candidates interested in pursuing relevant special interests in areas in which regular courses are not offered. These may consist of research projects, theses, problem-solving projects, or other appropriate endeavors related to the candidate's current job and intellectual or career interests.
No independent study or individualized courses will be allowed in areas in which courses exist and are taught at least once per year.
Only graduate degree-seeking candidates who have completed the core requirements or have special permission from the program director may take individualized graduate courses or conduct graduate-level independent projects.
All independent study topics and the amount of credit to be earned must be approved by the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project. A maximum of three hours of credit can be granted for independent study. The conditions, meeting times, workload, and subject matter concerned with the project are mutually agreed to by the initiating candidate and the assenting faculty member, consistent with standards of quality education. Request forms can be obtained from the assistant dean for Seidman Student Services.
Graduate Study Abroad
Seidman College of Business offers special topic business courses that generally include a two-week summer study abroad session.
Washington Campus Program
Seventeen universities have recognized the importance of training private sector managers and leaders in the art of working with the federal government and have established the Washington Campus Program. These colleges and universities are Grand Valley State University, Arizona State University, University of California at Berkley, Colorado State University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Indiana University, University of Michigan, University of New Mexico, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northeastern University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University.
The Washington Campus Program offers a unique opportunity for current and future leaders in business and government to gain a basic understanding of how to deal with the problems inherent in business/government relationships by working with policymakers, politicians, regulatory agency personnel, and others who make up the teaching staff and resource persons for the programs.
Participating graduate students spend a week in Washington, D.C., where they hear from Washington insiders, visit government and public policy institutions, and engage in real-world case studies on the interaction of business, politics, and public policy. Participants earn three credit hours and a certificate of completion from the Washington Campus Program. For additional information, graduate students can contact the assistant dean for Seidman Student Services.
Student Services
Practice Interviews
To assist students in preparing for career placement, the Seidman College of Business collaborates with the Career Center to offer mock interview opportunities for Seidman College juniors and seniors who meet the college's minimum grade point average requirements. The primary purpose of mock interviews is to give students a chance to practice their interviewing skills and build self-confidence. Students are matched with companies so that they interview with and receive feedback from business professionals in their major areas of study.
Awards and Scholarships
Accounting Awards
The Beene Garter Institute of Management Accountants, Ernst and Young Accounting Senior Excellence Award, and Clipper Belt Lacer accounting awards are presented at the annual spring accounting awards dinner. These awards honor outstanding academic and leadership excellence.
Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key
Each year, the international fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi awards the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key to the graduating student with the highest academic average for the four years of study in business administration. All business students are eligible for this award.
Scholarships
Accounting Alumni Scholarship
American Photo Marketing Entrepreneurship Scholarship
American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) Scholarship
BDO USA International Accounting Scholarship
Becker CPA Course Scholarship
Fred A. Bell Business Scholarship
Barry Castro Business Ethics Scholarship
Johnny C. Burton Memorial Scholarship
Campbell Williams Business Scholarship
Colliers International Scholarship
Crowe Horwath, LLP Outstanding Accounting Student Scholarship
Marvin G. DeVries Endowed Scholarship
Gregg K. Dimkoff Finance Scholarship
Economics Department Faculty Scholarship
Ernst and Young Senior Accounting Excellence Scholarship
Excel Business Scholarship
Finance Department Advisory Board Scholarship
Finance Department Faculty Scholarship
Doug and Christen Fox Scholarship
The Four Ps of Marketing Scholarship
Matt and Kendra Gibson Accounting and Finance Scholarship
Richard H. Giles Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Earl Harper Management Scholarship
Hilda C. Holder Scholarship for Women in Business
J.C. Huizenga Business Scholarship
Hungerford Nichols CPAs+ Advisors Accounting Scholarship
Jad Abou-Maarouf '05, '08 and Selene Lacayo '06 Scholarship
Michael and Sue Jandernoa Scholarship
Dr. Donald J. Kline Sr. Graduate Scholarship in Accounting
Kaufman Family Scholarship Honoring L. William Seidman
The A. Scott and Ruth P. Koeze Graduate Business Scholarship
Jack J. Korff Seidman College of Business Finance Scholarship
L.V. Eberhard Business Scholarship
Lacks Enterprises Scholarship
May Group Realtors w/ReMax of Grand Rapids Scholarship
Mithilesch and Jitendra Mishra Foreign Student and Faculty Scholarship
NAI Wisinski of West Michigan Commercial Real Estate Scholarship
Don and Diane Paton Family Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Dr. William F. Pickard Business Scholarship
Randy and Debbie Price Scholarship
Redfield Financial Group Business and Baseball Scholarship
Plante Moran Accounting Scholarship
John W. and Virginia M. Reifel Economics Scholarship
School of Accounting Faculty Endowed Scholarship
Seidman College of Business Study Abroad Scholarship
Seidman Dean's Advisory Board Scholarship
Marilyn and Budge Sherwood Seidman College of Business Scholarship for Nontraditional Students
Paul '87 and Sue Spindler Accounting Study Abroad Scholarship
Steelcase Inc. Seidman College of Business Diversity Scholarship
Supply Chain Management Related Scholarships
Tax Executives Institute Accounting/Tax Scholarship
The Right Place/MMTC-West Manufacturers Council Scholarship
VanderZwaag Business Scholarship
Richard E. Veazey Graduate Academic Scholarship in Accounting
Philip P. and Joyce Versluis Supply Chain Management Scholarship
Vetter Family Marketing Scholarship
The Kathleen B. Vogelsang Seidman College of Business Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
Don Williams Sr. Dean Emeritus Multicultural Business Education (MBEC) Scholarship
H. James Williams Endowed Scholarship
Windstream Enterprise Resource Planning Scholarship
Robert H. and Barbara Wood Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Refer to the Seidman College of Business website at gvsu.edu/seidman for scholarship details.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistants work with Seidman College of Business faculty and staff members. Qualified full-time candidates are selected on the basis of aptitude, interest, and background.
Advisory Boards and Associations
Seidman Dean's Advisory Board
The Seidman Dean's Advisory Board, composed of the dean and three dozen leaders from local, national, and international companies, serves to create and sustain a partnership between the Seidman College and the business community. The board meets to advise the Seidman College of Business on goals, curriculum, and other matters that are of benefit to the continued enhancement of the student body, the college, and the business and public communities.
Seidman College of Business Alumni Association Board
The Seidman Alumni Association Board consists of up to 30 graduates of the Seidman College of Business who represent the alumni of the college. The board's purpose is to promote, assist, and perpetuate the aims and objectives of the college.
Accounting Advisory Board
The Accounting Advisory Board is composed of accountants and meets as needed to advise the college on all matters pertaining to the accounting curriculum and alumni events. Representatives of national, regional, and local accounting firms, presidents of local accounting associations, and corporate accountants are members of this board.
Accounting Alumni and Friends Advisory Board
The Accounting Alumni and Friends Advisory Board provides a way for alumni to interact with accounting faculty members and students. Upon graduation, accounting students are encouraged to join this advisory board.
Business Ethics Center Advisory Board
The Business Ethics Center (BEC) Advisory Board consults with the director on matters of expansion, programming, community relations, and budget. Board members also act as advocates for the BEC in the community and nationally.
Economics Department Advisory Board
The Economics Department Advisory Board is comprised of local leaders from a broad range of sectors, including banking, manufacturing, real estate, and nonprofit and government organizations. The board provides feedback and support for department initiatives.
Finance Department Advisory Board
The Finance Department Advisory Board is comprised of 15 representatives from the areas of investment, corporate finance, banking, and financial planning. The board's main goals are to facilitate collaboration with the finance industry and to receive input on curriculum and related issues.
Human Resource Management Advisory Board
The purpose of the Seidman Human Resource Management Advisory Board is to develop, maintain, and promote a working relationship between human resources professionals and the stakeholders of the Management Department of the Seidman College of Business, including current students, faculty members, and alumni.
International Business Advisory Board
The International Business Advisory Board consists of business leaders of local and international companies who want to support international business education at Seidman College.
Marketing Advisory Board
The Marketing Advisory Board was formed to help align the interests of the students, faculty members, alumni, and communities Seidman College serves. The board meets routinely with marketing faculty members. Board members are from diverse, prestigious firms, including Amway, Axios Inc., Bissell Homecare Inc., Cynthia Kay & Co. Media Production, Daymon Worldwide, Gordon Food Service, Holton Research, Meijer, SoundOff Signal, Stryker Medical, and TransCorr.
M.S.T. Advisory Board
The M.S.T. Advisory Board is comprised of attorneys and accountants from the professional community who actively support, teach in, and refer students to the M.S.T. program.
Supply Chain Management Advisory Board
The purpose of the Seidman Supply Chain Management Advisory Board is to develop, maintain, and promote a working relationship between supply chain/logistics professionals and the stakeholders of the Management Department of the Seidman College of Business, including current students, faculty, and alumni.
Endowed Chairs
L. William Seidman Accounting Chair
The L. William Seidman Chair in Accounting was established to provide financial support to one distinguished accounting faculty member who would advance the accounting profession through teaching, research, and professional outreach activities.
This endowed chair was established to recognize and honor L. William Seidman, who was the former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). Seidman received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth, his law degree from Harvard Law School, and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He was also a C.P.A. and a noted author. He served as dean of the College of Business at Arizona State University, as vice chairman of Phelps Dodge Corporation, and as an assistant to the president of the United States for economic affairs.
Esther Seidman Chair
The Esther Seidman Chair was established to provide financial support to one distinguished faculty member who would advance the initiatives and goals of the Seidman College of Business. This endowed chair was established to recognize and honor the late Esther Seidman who, along with her husband Frank Edward Seidman, was a distinguished member of the Grand Rapids business and civic community.