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
Career
Mechanical & Architectural Design
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
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
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
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-Information 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
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
Career
Dental Auxiliaries
Nursing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
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. (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-Sport Management, A.A. (Grand Valley State University)
- Pre-Sport Management, A.A. (Western Michigan University)
Physical Science
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
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
- Sheriff’s Corrections 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
Career +Transfer
Education
Transfer
Criminal Justice
English
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
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
Transfer
Language and Thought
- Pre-Multimedia Journalism, A.A. (General Transfer)
- Pre-Communication Studies, A.A. (General Transfer)
English
English and Language & Thought
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
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
Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Apprenticeship Certificate
- Machine Tool Certificate
- Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology Certificate
- Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S.
- Quality Science, 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
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
Physical Sciences
- Pre-Biochemistry, A.A. (General Transfer)
- Pre-Chemical Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer)
- Pre-Chemistry, A.A. (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.