Programs and Academic Pathways

Explore your interests while earning credits toward a degree

If you are still deciding which academic career is the best fit for you, the concentration degree within each academic pathway will help you explore while earning credits toward an associate degree.

If you have questions after browsing our Academic Pathways, please be in touch! Email pathways@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4000.

Jump to a pathway or browse by scrolling:

• Art, Architecture and Mechanical Design
• Business
• Computer Information Systems
• Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Brewing
• Health and Exercise Sciences
• Human Services, Education and Social Sciences
• Humanities, English, Language and Communication Studies
• Manufacturing and Applied Technology
• Math, Science and Engineering
• Music and Theater

 

Are you seeking skilled trades training or are you an employer looking for custom training for your employees?

See our Workforce Training programs

 

Art, Architecture and Mechanical Design

Explore careers in mechanical or architectural design, art and design, photography, or fine arts. This pathway is a good fit for innovative and creative students who enjoy collaboration, designing products, and developing new skills.

Pathway

• Art, Architecture and Mechanical Design Concentration, A.A.

Career

Mechanical & Architectural Design

• Architectural Technology, A.A.A.S. 
• Mechanical Design Certificate 
• Mechanical Design, A.A.A.S. 

Career + Transfer

Mechanical & Architectural Design

• Architectural Technology, A.A.A.S (Ferris State University-Facility Management) 
• Architectural Technology, A.A.A.S. (Ferris State University-Construction Management) 

Transfer

Mechanical & Architectural Design

• Pre-Master of Architecture, A.A. (Lawrence Technological University)  

Visual Arts

• Fine Arts, A.F.A. 
• Interior Design, A.F.A. 
• Photography and Video, A.F.A. 
• Pre-Art, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Photography, A.A. (General Transfer) 

 

Business

Consider a career in marketing, sales, management, accounting, supply chain, or human resources–or prepare to start your own business! This pathway is a solid option for anyone who enjoys finding creative solutions to problems, while building their communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Pathway

• Business Concentration, A.A.

Career

• Accounting, A.B. 
• Business Administration, A.B. 
• Entrepreneurship Certificate 
• Marketing, A.B.  
• Management and Supervision, A.B.  
• Retail Management Certificate 
• Supply Chain Operations Management Certificate 

Transfer

• Pre-Business, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Business Administration, A.A. (Western Michigan University) 
• Pre-Business, A.A. (Cornerstone University) 

 

Computer Information Systems

Are you considering a career in programming, software development, web development, hardware maintenance, network systems, or cyber security? Explore this pathway if you are detail-oriented, technology-savvy, appreciate the benefit of team member's expertise, and are adaptable to an ever-changing environment.

Pathway

• Computer Information Systems Concentration, A.A.

Career

• Computer Programming, A.A.A.S. .
• Computer Support Specialist, A.A.A.S. 
• Graphics/Web Development, A.A.A.S. 
• Information Technology Apprenticeship Certificate 
• Network Administration, A.A.A.S. 

Transfer

• Pre-Computer Information Systems, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Computer Science, A.A. (General Transfer)  
• Pre-Cyber Security A.A. (General Transfer)

 

Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Brewing

Are you considering a career in culinary arts, tourism, hospitality, or brewing? If you work well on teams, are flexible, organized, and high energy, then you will want to explore these fields where art converges with science and talent melds with technique.

Pathway

• Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Brewing Concentration, A.A.

Career

• Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate 
• Craft Brewing, Packaging, and Service Operations Certificate  
• Culinary Arts Certificate 
• Culinary Arts, A.A.A.S. 
• Personal Chef Certificate 

 

Health and Exercise Sciences

GRCC is your first step to careers like physician assistant, physical therapist, nurse, occupational therapist or assistant, dental hygienist or assistant, or radiologic technologist. This pathway is a good fit for energetic students who have good interpersonal skills, enjoy science, and care about the well-being of others.

Pathway

• Health and Exercise Sciences Concentration, A.A.

Career

Dental Auxiliaries

• Dental Assisting Certificate 
• Dental Assisting, A.A.A.S. 
• Dental Hygiene, A.A.A.S.

Nursing

• Nursing, A.D.N. 
• Practical Nursing Certificate 

Occupational Therapy Assistant

• Occupational Therapy Assistant, A.A.A.S 

Radiologic Technology

• Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist, Certificate 
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Certificate 
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), A.A.A.S 
• Radiologic Technology, A.A.A.S. 

Transfer

Exercise Science

• Pre-Dietetics, A.A. (Western Michigan University) 
• Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Aquinas College) 
•  Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (General Transfer)
• Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Grand Valley State University - Clinical Exercise Science) 
• Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Grand Valley State University - Health Fitness Instruction) 
• Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Western Michigan University - Applied Exercise Science) 
• Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Western Michigan University - Clinical Exercise Science) 
• Pre-Public Health, A.A. (Ferris State University)
• Pre-Sport Management, A.A. (Grand Valley State University) 
• Pre-Sport Management, A.A. (Western Michigan University) 

Physical Science

• Pre-Allied Health Science (Physical Therapy/Physician Assistant), A.A. (General Transfer) 

 

Human Services, Education and Social Sciences

Thinking of a career in education, public service, the non-profit and government sector, law, historic preservation, geographic information systems, financial planning, archeology, international studies, social work, psychology, or counseling? Students who are compassionate, enjoy using research based methods to serve others, and want to help improve society will want to explore this pathway.

Pathway

• Human Services, Education, and Social Sciences Concentration, A.A.

Career

Criminal Justice

• Addiction Studies Certificate 
• Corrections Certificate 
• Corrections, A.A.A.S. 
• Juvenile Services, A.A.A.S. 
• Law Enforcement, A.A.A.S. 
• Police Academy Certificate 

Education

• CDA Formal Training Hours Certificate 
• Child Development (MTA Eligible), A.A.A.S. 
• Child Development, A.A.A.S. 
• Fast Track CDA Formal Training Hours Certificate 
• Paraprofessional Education, A.A.A.S.   

Psychology

• Gerontology Certificate 

Career +Transfer

Education

• Child Development, A.A.A.S. (Western Michigan University - Child & Family Development) 

Transfer

Criminal Justice

• Pre-Criminal Justice, A.A. (General Transfer) 

English

• Pre-English (Elementary Language Arts Education Emphasis), A.A. (Grand Valley State University) 

Education

• Pre-Early Childhood Education, A.A. (3 + 1, Ferris State University) 
• Pre-Elementary Education with ZS Endorsement, A.A. (3 + 1, Ferris State University) 
• Pre-Elementary Education, A.A. (Ferris State University) 
• Pre-Elementary Education, A.A. (Western Michigan University) 

Psychology

• Pre-Psychology, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Social Work, A.A. (General Transfer) 

Social Sciences

• Pre-Anthropology, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Economics, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Gender Studies, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Geography, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-History, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-International Relations, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Political Science, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Sociology, A.A. (General Transfer)

 

Humanities, English, Language and Communication Studies

GRCC is your first step to a career in public service, the non-profit sector, public relations, law, editing, writing, or journalism. Students who think critically and creatively and who enjoy writing, speaking, and research will do well in this pathway.

Pathway

• Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Concentration, A.A.

Transfer

Language and Thought

• Pre-French, A.A. (General Transfer)
• Pre-Multimedia Journalism, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Philosophy, A.A. (General Transfer)
• Pre-Communication Studies, A.A. (General Transfer) 

English

• Pre-English Literature, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Writing, A.A. (General Transfer) 

Social Science

• Pre-Gender Studies, A.A. (General Transfer) 

Manufacturing and Applied Technology

Explore careers in electronics, tooling, manufacturing, automotive technology, HVAC, industrial maintenance, welding, plastics, and quality science. This pathway is a good fit for hands-on, detail-oriented students with communication, reasoning, and trouble shooting skills who enjoy working with computers, machinery, and other types of technology.

Pathway

• Manufacturing and Applied Technology Concentration, A.A.

Career

Applied Technology

• Electrical Controls Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S 
• Electrical Controls/Mechatronics Certificate 
• Electronics Engineering Technology Certificate 
• Electronics Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S 
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology, A.A.A.S. 
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology Certificate 
• Industrial Maintenance Certificate 
• Industrial Maintenance Technology, A.A.A.S. 
• Mechatronics - Basic Industrial Electricity Certificate 

Automotive

• Automotive Servicing Certificate 
• Automotive Technology, A.A.A.S.

Manufacturing

• Manufacturing Apprenticeship Certificate 
• Machine Tool Certificate 
• Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology Certificate 
• Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S. 
• Tooling and Manufacturing Technology Certificate 
• Tooling and Manufacturing Technology, A.A.A.S. 
• Welding Skills Certificate 
• Welding Certificate 
• Welding Technology, A.A.A.S. 

Career + Transfer

Manufacturing

• Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S (Ferris State University-Manufacturing Engineering Technology) 
• Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S (Ferris State University-Plastics Engineering Technology)

Math, Science and Engineering

GRCC is your first step to a career in mathematics, the biological and physical sciences, veterinary studies, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, or dentistry. This pathway is a good fit for students who are creative, curious about the natural world, and enjoy rigorous coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Pathway

• Math, Science, and Engineering Concentration, A.A.

Transfer

Biological Sciences

• Pre-Biology, A.A. (Aquinas College) 
• Pre-Biology, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Cell and Molecular Biology, A.A. (General Transfer)

Math

• Pre-Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Mathematics, A.A. (General Transfer) 

Physical Sciences

• Pre-Biochemistry, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Chemical Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Chemistry, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Environmental and Sustainability Studies (General Transfer)
• Pre-Geology, A.A. (General Transfer) 
• Pre-Pharmacy, A.A. (General Transfer) 

Music and Theater

Thinking of a career in music education, music therapy, production, composition, performance, conducting, acting, theater management, scenography, or directing? Creative, hardworking, collaborative, and motivated students with a passion for the performing arts should explore this pathway.

Pathway

• Music and Theater Concentration, A.A.

Career

Music

• Digital Audio Specialist Certificate 
• Recording Technology, A.M. 

Transfer

Music

• Associate of Music, A.M. 
• Music, A.M. (Western Michigan University) 

Theater

• Pre-Theater, A.A. (General Transfer)