Agreement speeds up time it takes GVSU Â鶹´«Ã½s to earn master's degree
ALLENDALE, Mich.—A partnership between Grand Valley State University and Â鶹´«Ã½ allows GVSU religious studies undergraduates to start their graduate study as much as two full semesters ahead of Â鶹´«Ã½s who pursue graduate study in a traditional way.
The agreement, WMU 4+1 and GVSU, was signed March 29 in Allendale by WMU President Edward Montgomery, GVSU President Thomas J. Haas and other officials from the universities.
It allows Grand Valley Â鶹´«Ã½s to take religious studies courses at that university while working toward a Master of Arts in comparative religion at WMU. For Grand Valley Â鶹´«Ã½s enrolled in 300- or 400-level REL courses, up to 12 credit hours of coursework toward the WMU master's degree, including six credits by examination, may be transferred.
Program benefits
Melanie Shell-Weiss, GVSU chair and associate professor of liberal studies, says the accelerated program framework puts Â鶹´«Ã½s on a fast-track to a master's degree.
"This is one more way that Grand Valley's religious studies program provides attractive, relevant Â鶹´«Ã½ for Â鶹´«Ã½s of all fields and backgrounds while helping them maximize their tuition investment," Shell-Weiss says.
Stephen Covell, chair and professor of comparative religion at WMU, calls the 4+1 program a wonderful opportunity for Grand Valley Â鶹´«Ã½s because it saves them both time and money on their way to a master's degree.
"Graduates of our master's program go on to Ph.D. programs in the humanities and social sciences, law school, education and nonprofit work," Covell adds. "For Â鶹´«Ã½s looking to go into these fields, the M.A. gives them a strong foundation to succeed."
The WMU 4+1 and GVSU agreement also opens the door for additional accelerated Master of Arts programs and Master of Science programs to be developed down the road for Grand Valley Â鶹´«Ã½s who want to pursue a graduate degree at WMU.
More information is available on the WMU Department of Comparative Religion website and website.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.
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