Roberts Fellowship Program
The Roberts Fellowship Program funds six credits of advanced academic course work and other unique experiences for a select group of undergraduate students who have demonstrated a high level of academic accomplishment and commitment to campus and/or community service. The purpose of this scholarship program is to develop Fellows’ potential for leadership and for distinguished achievement in their subsequent careers. Roberts Fellowship course work consists of two 3-credit seminars, one each in the Fall and Winter semesters, culminating in an international travel experience. The Roberts Fellowship also provides regular opportunities to meet and talk with visiting leaders in business, political life, education, the arts, and many other areas.
The first academic seminar is “Philosophical/Historical Leaders,” which examines models of leadership through the study of influential men and women, as well as theories about leadership, drawn from a range of sources and traditions. The second is “Contemporary Issues in Leadership,” which combines extensive practical case study analysis of organizational leadership problems with leadership issues in a broad, international context. The “Contemporary Issues” seminar culminates in an international travel experience. Admission to the Roberts Fellowship is extremely competitive. Additional information about the Roberts Fellowship Program is available from the Program Chairperson.
Off-Campus Courses
Graduate education programs leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), the Master of Education (M.Ed.), and the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) are offered through the Macomb Regional Education Center. A selection of undergraduate courses is offered through SVSU’s Cass City Center. Teacher Certification Programs in Elementary and Secondary Education are offered through an extension program at St. Clair County Community College (Port Huron). These centers were created to provide educational opportunities for students who cannot easily travel to the home campus. Courses are taught on-site by qualified faculty. For more information about the Macomb programs, call (586) 749-0067. For information about the Cass City programs, call (989) 964-4200. For information about the St. Clair programs, call (810) 982-5530.
Honors Program
The University Honors Program allows students to pursue their major and minor degree work, while providing enriched academic experiences in Honors courses, seminars, research projects, and social activities. The Honors experience enables students to work more intensively with active teacher/scholars and to participate in interdisciplinary courses. Honors students will have ample opportunity to develop as critical thinkers, active learners, and problem solvers.
Those who teach Honors courses are encouraged to experiment with course design and to collaborate with other teachers in the University. Honors courses are expected to broaden the contours of the classroom while always maintaining the highest of standards.
Honors students are especially encouraged to build community through their academic and extracurricular Honors experiences, to represent the Honors Program across the campus by holding key positions in clubs and student organizations. All of the above experiences combine to equip our Honors graduates for the challenges of graduate school.
Admission Process
- Students must have a 3.5 GPA for admission;
- Students must have an initial interview with Chair of Honors and one Honors Committee member;
- Students must submit a letter of recommendation from faculty or other knowledgeable source;
- Students must submit a one-page writing sample at the time of application.
The Honors Committee will admit students given these criteria.
Transfer students with 60+ transfer credits may submit a portfolio as a waiver to a portion of the Honors courses. Portfolios must be approved by members of the Honors Committee.
Graduation Requirements: Honors Program
- Satisfy all Basic Skills and General Education requirements.
- Maintain a minimum of 3.5 SVSU grade point average.
- Produce a discipline-appropriate Honors Thesis, project, or presentation.
- Complete at least four Honors courses, designated with an “H” on transcripts and as “Honors” in the Course Schedule, or by Honors -92 numbers. Students may seek a partial exemption by applying in writing to the Committee.
- Complete at least 124 credits.
- Complete an academic major and minor, if required.
International Programs
Call 964-4473 or E-mail: oip@svsu.edu
The Office of International Programs works with incoming international students, American students interested in study abroad, and university and faculty exchanges. Students can earn SVSU credit while studying overseas through programs in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and other countries. Financial aid can be used to support these programs and foreign language is not required. More information is available at www.svsu.edu/studyabroad . The English Language Program, located in 214 Brown Hall, provides quality intensive English instruction and academic preparation to non-native speakers of English who are seeking to enroll at institutions of higher education in the United States. The ELP is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs. For more information, visit www.svsu.edu/intprog/esl.
Pre-Professional Studies
Pre-Law
Saginaw Valley State University offers the necessary background courses for law school admissions, and our graduates with proper preparation have been successful in being accepted and graduating from accredited law schools. Law schools do not specify a particular major that students must complete as undergraduates. Consequently, any number of majors at SVSU can prepare students for the rigors of law school. To prepare for law school, students should take courses that develop their skills in the following areas:
- Writing
- Public Speaking
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Reasoning
- Historical Research
- Accounting Principles
Several majors have served students well in the past as preparation for law school. They have become traditional choices and can serve SVSU students as the foundation for their law school plans. These majors include the following:
- English
- History
- Communication
- Management
- Political Science
- Accounting
Students interested in law school should speak with one of several faculty and staff members designated as prelaw advisors. A list of these people and of curriculum suggestions is available in the Academic Advisement Center, 117 Wickes Hall.
Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry and Pre-Veterinary
Saginaw Valley State University offers all courses and advisement necessary to prepare the student for admission to medical, dental or veterinary school. Medical schools today are flexible about their requirements concerning the major field of study for the undergraduate student. However, most colleges have specific course requirements: one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of biology, one year of physics and one year of English. (CHEM 111, 112; 111L, 112L; 230, 330, 231L, 331L; BIOL 111A, 111B, 111C; PHYS 111, 112; ENGL 111, 212.) Students interested in medicine as a career are advised to choose one of the many major fields of study offered by Saginaw Valley State University. Majors such as chemistry, biochemistry or biology particularly lend themselves to satisfying the specific course requirements noted above; however, if these courses are taken as electives, any other major also is suitable.
In addition, the student should take the appropriate Admissions Tests toward the end of the Junior year. Graduates of Saginaw Valley State University have been placed in all three of Michigan’s medical schools. Students interested in medicine and associated programs should contact the faculty advisor for pre-medicine no later than their first semester of attendance at SVSU.
Pre-Theology
Students who are considering a career in the ministry or priesthood should consult with a member of their chosen denominational clergy as soon as possible in order to learn more about the profession and its requirements and to assist in the selection of a seminary for postgraduate training (usually three years beyond the bachelor’s degree). Admission policies vary, but most seminaries will accept any undergraduate major as long as the student has broad-based training in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.
Recommended SVSU courses for pre-theological preparation include: HIST 111; MGT 321; PHIL 123, 210A/B, 315, 350; PSYC 100, 370; SOC 111, 360;, and COMM 105A. The faculty advisor for pre-theology can provide additional counseling and course selection assistance.
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