Social Innovation, M.A.

The Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation (PMASI) is designed to prepare individuals to foster and lead innovation throughout their organizations, businesses, and communities in ways that impact daily operations and strategic goals.

The program trains students to critically examine and address complex social problems such as childhood hunger, illiteracy, domestic violence, air pollution, food deserts, contaminated drinking water, poverty, and homelessness.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The PMASI program consists of 36 credit hours of coursework. There are no prerequisites and students with any bachelor's degree may be accepted. Courses will be offered as hybrid, meeting both in class and online. In-person courses will meet at the Robert C. Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. The program features courses in social innovation, public administration, social work, and management.

Six core courses in social innovation and public administration: 18 credits

Three application courses for project: 9 credits

Three courses of synthesis coursework: 9 credits

WHY STUDY SOCIAL INNOVATION AT GRAND VALLEY?

In-demand. Sustainability consultants make a median salary of $60,926 in the United States according to PayScale.com.

Desired skills. Nationally, employers post jobs for masters level social innovation skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication (written and verbal), problem solving, and analytical/qualitative skills. Local and regional organizations include social innovation as desired skills in job descriptions.

Flexible. Courses are hybrid, offered in a combination of face to face and online.

Unique. This program is the only professional social innovation program in Michigan offering a focus on critical, humanistic, integrative, and interdisciplinary approaches to social issues.

LOCATION & FORMAT

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat at Grand Valleys Allendale Campus and the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Format: Hybrid