Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 226800
- Phone: (616) 234-4000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
ACCEPTANCE RATE
83.02%FINANCIAL AID RATE
90%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
16:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
4FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$5,942Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
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Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist Degree
The literacy specialist and reading reacher tracks are an area of study focused on helping others with the cognitive process of decoding symbols to construct meaning from text. As a means of language acquisitions, reading is a vital part of sharing information and communicating with othe Get more details below including other Michigan colleges that offer reading teacher and literacy specialist degrees.
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Grand Valley State University
143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public research university in Allendale, Michigan, with additional campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland. GVSU has learning centers in Muskegon and Traverse City. GVSU has been voted one of "America's Best Colleges" and offers more than 200 areas of academic study. It has more than 80 undergraduate degree programs and 29 graduate degree programs. There is an emphasis on liberal arts at GVSU, and the school's excellent academic programs have earned it top rankings.
History
In 1958, a study by Dr. John Russell determined the need for a new four-year college in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Many locations were considered for a campus, and Allendale was identified in the early 1960s. In 1963, the Grand Valley State College was opened with 226 students enrolled. The student enrollment increased significantly over the years as the curriculum and campus expanded, and the school was eventually renamed "Grand Valley State University.
Academics
The academic calendar for Grand Valley State University follows the semester format, with fall and "winter" semesters and a summer term.
Colleges and Schools
- The College of Community and Public Service
- The College of Education
- The College of Health Professions
- The Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- The Kirkhof College of Nursing
- The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing
- The Seidman College of Business
Student Life
Grand Valley students have more than 300 student organizations to choose from on campus, covering such interests as academic, professional, intramural sports, culture, faith, media, performing arts, volunteer service, and more. Greek life at GVSU is very active, with several local chapters of fraternities and sororities active on campus.
Many campus and area events are posted through the GVSU Office of Student Life or the University Promotions Office. There is an Arts Calendar available for those who wish to attend music or theatre performances, or attend art exhibits and galleries.
Student services available on campus at GVSU include academic advising, affirmative action, disability support services, career services, athletic/recreation facilities, a children's center, health center, counseling center, and more.
There are many options for campus housing available, as well as a variety of dining options or campus restaurants.
Traditions
The traditional school colors for GVSU are blue, white and black. The GVSU mascot is "Louie" the Laker, a nautical character. Prior to the inception of "Louie" the Laker as a mascot for GVSU in 1996, the school and the "Lakers" athletic teams were represented by a mascot dressed in the Old Man and the Sea costume, or other nautical costumes.
Athletics
The GVSU "Lakers" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
In addition to its Allendale campus, GVSU has several satellite campuses and learning centers in Michigan, including:
- Richard M. DeVos Center
- L.V. Eberhard Center
- Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences
- Muskegon Regional Center at the Stevenson Center for Higher Education at Muskegon Community College
- Annis Water Resources Institute Lake Michigan Center
- Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
- Meijer Campus in Holland
- Traverse City Regional Center at the NMC University Center
Community Life
Community engagement is fostered at GVSU through its Community Service Learning Center (CSLC). In collaboration with other areas at GVSU, students can volunteer to help the community through programs such as the Non-Profit Volunteer and Internship Fair, Make A Difference Day, Community Outreach Week, and an Overnight Service Program. Other community programs include an annual blood drive.
Michigan's West Coast area offers many recreational activities for students and visitors. There are many favorite beaches around the lakeshore, with many routes for scenic driving trips around Grand Rapids, and many beach towns and traditional midwestern villages.
Career Options for Graduates
Upon completion of the Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist program at Grand Valley State University, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Description
Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, education teachers, postsecondary employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.1% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
- Average Annual Salary: $58540
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Description
Teach students in one or more subjects in public or private schools at the middle, intermediate, or junior high level, which falls between elementary and senior high school as defined by applicable laws and regulations.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
- Total Employment: 2
- Average Annual Salary: $64170
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Description
Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.8% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
- Total Employment: 3
- Average Annual Salary: $57510
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give you an idea of the candidates Grand Valley State University accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Grand Valley State University may offer student services including:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- Day care for children
Intercollegiate Athletics
Grand Valley State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division II with football classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath Conf)
- Basketball (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath Conf)
- Track and Field (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath Conf)
- Football (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath Conf)
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball