Saginaw Valley State University

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Direct Admissions

SVSU welcomes students with an interest in the health professions and education

SVSU offers freshman direct admission entry to select professional programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Education. For driven students who have a deep sense of purpose, strong academic credentials and dedication to a specific profession, a direct admission program allows new incoming freshman students the opportunity to start immediately in their major. Our programs offer high quality instruction and hands-on skills-based training to provide you with the resources you need to pursue your passion right from the beginning of your freshman year.

Qualifications to Apply:

  • Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA
  • Be an incoming high school senior
  • Interest in the nursing profession

How does the direct admission program work?

  • High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared pre-nursing major will be invited to be a part of a group of students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
  • Based on a competitive admission process, a limited number of first semester freshman students are accepted into nursing through the Freshman Direct Admit process.
  • If selected as a direct admit, students will begin professional nursing courses the semester after they complete their prerequisite courses at SVSU (no wait list), based on maintaining a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or better and obtaining a 2.7 GPA or better in each anatomy and physiology course, and meet all other nursing program selection criteria. Direct admission students do not compete for a seat in the nursing program, but they must submit a nursing application to notify Nursing when they are ready to begin their professional nursing courses.

Highlights of the SVSU Nursing Program

  • Clinical experiences start at the beginning of the program and are integrated into learning;
  • Students work in small groups and present outcomes of their work;
  • Faculty-led study abroad programs offer nursing students an opportunity to study global health;
  • Faculty have clinical experience which is incorporated into classroom teaching;
  • Faculty are involved in scholarship and research, often including students in their work;
  • At every level, students are engaged in lab work that includes demonstrations, skill-testing and simulation;
  • Located in a regional healthcare hub, SVSU works collaboratively with a wide range of community partners.

Who can I talk to more about this program?

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

  • Submit your application for admission and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions. No application fee! 
  • Select Nursing as your declared major of interest on your application for admission.
  • Once admitted to SVSU with the above qualifications, you will receive an invitation to participate in the Nursing Freshman Direct Admit Program.

 

Tyler Kwapis Nursing

Tyler Kwapis an Oxford, Michigan native says one of the main reasons he chose to attend SVSU was because he was attracted by the resources and opportunities offered by the university’s Nursing Program. Tyler was part of the freshmen direct admit process the summer after his high school senior year. “I was able to check out Sim Man, get a tour of the program and also interview nursing students to learn more about the program.”

Tyler, a first generation college student, chose SVSU for the affordable tuition and opportunities that would be available to him. “I received the Founders scholarship and now going into my senior year, I applied for and received a private scholarship, the Bellinger Trust.” Tyler currently has two jobs he manages while attending classes. He works in the nursing lab on campus as a student mentor and for Fall 2018 he will work as a nursing intern in an adult ICU, at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan.

“I think that the connections I’ve made in the nursing program, with other student mentors, are what have really helped me to continue to succeed at SVSU. Not to mention, the SVSU faculty have been truly helpful.”

Tyler shares that he is looking forward to another great opportunity in the spring and summer of 2019. He is planning to do a study abroad in Switzerland and he looks forward to working in an emergency department as part of a nursing internship. “This experience will allow me to do supervised tasks and prepare me for my final semester.”

Outside of the nursing program, Tyler has lived on campus all 4 years. He is currently the President of National Residence Hall Honorary, and was a 2017 Resident Assistant.

Qualifications to Apply:

  • Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.
  • Be an incoming high school senior
  • Interest in an education profession

How does the direct admission program work?

  • High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared pre-education major and will be invited to complete an interview with a member of the SVSU College of Education.
  • Based on a selective admission process, a limited number of first semester freshman students are accepted into the College of Education’s Early Admission Program.
  • If selected, students will automatically begin professional education courses the semester after they complete their prerequisite courses at SVSU (no wait list), based on maintaining a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or better. Selected students will not need to apply again.

Highlights of the SVSU Teacher Education Program

  • Clinical experiences are integrated into learning at all stages of the program;
  • Students work in a variety of groupings and share the outcomes of their work;
  • Students use digital technologies to meet the needs of all learners;
  • Faculty-led study abroad programs offer education students an opportunity to experience international teacher education;;
  • Faculty are involved in scholarship and research, often including students in their work;
  • At every level, students are engaged in authentic field experiences;
  • At SVSU, students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with a wide range of community partners.

Who can I talk to more about this program?

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

  • Submit your application for admission and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions. No application fee!
  • Select any ducation programs as your declared major of interest on your application for admission: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education
  • Once admitted to SVSU with the above qualifications, you will automatically receive a mailed application to apply for the College of Education’s Early Admission Program.

 

Jessica July Education

Jessica July, an education major from Clio, Michigan, said that she chose SVSU because of the location, the welcoming environment and the scholarship opportunities.

Jessica said that her passion to teach others inspired her to become a teacher. “It came natural to me. I was a dancer and then a dance teacher, so that opportunity made me want to teach others.” When coming to SVSU, the faculty helped her achieve her goal of becoming a teacher in many ways. “The College of Education offers so many opportunities. The professors in the Early Childhood Program are so compassionate and inspiring,” she said.

Through SVSU’s education program, she has participated in field work and observations at various community schools including Auburn Elementary School and Sherwood Elementary School. She also had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy for two weeks through the teaching program and she begins student teaching in January 2019 prior to her graduation in May.

Outside of the education program, Jessica is active on SVSU’s campus. She serves on the executive board of the early childhood organization, is a Foundation Scholar and is SVSU’s chapter president of the Kappa Tau Epsilon sorority that she said has “created amazing memories and bonds I will always cherish.”

Qualifications to Apply:

  • Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.
  • Be an incoming high school senior
  • Interest in the occupational therapy profession

How does the direct admission program work?

  • High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared occupational therapy major will be invited to be a part of a group of students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
  • Based on a competitive admission process that may include an interview and/or timed essay, a limited number of first semester freshman students are accepted into the Master’s of Science Occupational Therapy (MSOT) through the Freshman Direct Admit process.
  • If selected, students will automatically begin professional occupational therapy courses the semester after they complete their prerequisite courses at SVSU (no wait list), based on maintaining a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or better. Selected students will not need to apply again.

Highlights of the SVSU MSOT Program

  • 100% National Board testing pass rate;
  • Community-based learning experiences start at the beginning of the program and are integrated into learning;
  • Students work in small teams and present outcomes of their work
  • Study abroad programs that include domestic and international travel experiences;
  • Faculty have clinical expertise and experience which is incorporated into classroom teaching;
  • Guided by faculty, students are involved in scholarship and research, often publishing and presenting at national and international levels;
  • At every level, students are engaged in lab work that includes demonstrations, skill-testing and simulation;
  • Located in a regional healthcare hub, SVSU works collaboratively with a wide range of community partners;
  • Engage in field experiences founded on physical health, mental health and community wellbeing.

Who can I talk to more about this program?

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

  • Submit your application for admission and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions. No application fee!
  • Select Occupational Therapy as your declared major of interest on your application for admission.
  • Once admitted to SVSU with the above qualifications, you will automatically receive a mailed application to apply for the Occupational Therapy Freshman Direct Admit Program.

 

Occupational Therapy Students

CONTACT US.






Office of Admissions
178 Wickes Hall, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710
admissions@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4200