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Global Studies and Social Impact, B.A., B.S.

Global studies and social impact (GSI) addresses the world's greatest challenges  food, security, climate change, human rights, religious freedom, and conflict  by placing contemporary issues center stage, and preparing students to be creative, flexible thinkers within local and global communities.

Visit the program website for more information.

Students are admitted directly into this program.

Program Overview

Students earn a B.A. or B.S. in GSI by taking courses organized around interdisciplinary global themes. Students also choose two world regions to study in more depth.

Why Pursue Global Studies and Social Impact at Grand Valley?

  • Plan a course of study around global and social justice issues such as immigration, human trafficking, and geotourism.
  • Learn to think in an integrated, interdisciplinary way about issues affecting people across the globe.
  • Develop aptitude in intercultural competency and communication through experiential learning.
  • Gain important foreign language capabilities.
  • Build skills in research methods and statistics.

Career Insights

This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.

Location & Format

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

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

Through courses drawn from across the university, students learn how to explore problems and solutions through a variety of academic and professional lenses. Topics students explore include:

  • Global systems, such as health care, food, and economics
  • The movements of people and ideas across the globe such as immigration, human trafficking, and geotourism
  • Cultural, religious, or gender identities and expressions

Combined Degree Programs

Many GVSU undergraduate programs can be combined with an existing master’s degree program to save on tuition and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, you can save $8,500 by pursuing a combined degree and take up to four fewer courses than if earning the degrees separately.

Talk with an advisor about how you can build your combined degree from existing programs to further personalize your education and create your own niche area of expertise.

Admission Requirements

Visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements.

For More Information

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Global Studies and Social Impact
nigzob.com/gsi
117 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-8110
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

nigzob.com/admissions