Grand Valley State University is focusing on obtaining quality graduate programs for its graduate students. By placing focus on making sure the curriculum is relevant, the university is working to keep its students ahead of the pack.

GVSU is home to around 3,400 graduate students every semester. About half of those students obtained their undergraduate degree at GVSU.

Jeffrey Potteiger, dean of graduate students, said the university does its best to create the best possible opportunities for its graduate students.

In order to provide the best possible pathway for graduate students, the university must help them succeed, Potteiger said. It is key for students to have the best possible experience at the university, and the program is there to ensure that.

“We treat them like a professional, we treat them like an adult,” Potteiger said. “We give them meaningful experiences from orientation all the way through graduation.”

For graduate students, that path to success starts in choosing a program. Having the right selection of programs is extremely important, Potteiger said. It is not simply about getting as many graduate programs as possible. He said GVSU could probably have an extra 10 or 15 programs, but that does not matter if they do not meet the standards.

Potteiger said President Thomas Haas often talks about the importance of relevancy, and that is taken into consideration when looking at graduate programs.

“If they’re not good, quality programs, then I think that undermines the mission of what Grand Valley is trying to do,” Potteiger said. “That’s creating real world experiences, and giving students that best educational experiences.”

The programs that are selected are picked because they can help students in their chosen profession.

Besides having the right programs, it is important to select the right kind of students. Potteiger said he would love if every great GVSU student stayed at the university for graduate school. He said the program recruits students from other universities, but it is important to make sure those students are the right fit for GVSU.

To enter GVSU’s graduate program, students must demonstrate that they can be successful at the graduate level. Beside GPA and credit hour requirements, Potteiger said each department determines the prerequisites for a program. A program may ask that some students involved with research, while another program may require students to have internship experience.

Because of the multiple variables, the university tries to take a holistic look at the student. If a student is not particularly strong in one area, they can make up for that with other skills, Potteiger said.

“The graduate degree will help many students become a true professional in their field,” Potteiger said. “In many cases, the degree may be the key to enter the field a student wants to work in. For other students, the time spent in graduate school can be used to hone their skills.”

“If you want to develop as a professional, and you want to be the best professional you can be, then I think graduate school—and quite possibly graduate school at Grand Valley—can get you there,” Potteiger said.

If students are unsure about graduate school, Potteiger said it is beneficial to talk to as many people as possible. Talking to advisers, professors or other professionals can help students make the best decision.