GV Grad Fact Friday

14 credits of our 40-credit hour program are common core courses with the remaining credits in each individual track (business, education, and nursing).  Here's the list of core courses that everyone takes regardless of the individual track.

Leading for Change I: Intro to Innovative Leadership (1 credit)
Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
Leadership and Decision Making (3 credits)
Interpersaonal Workplace Dynamics (3 credits)
Innovation (3 credits)
Leading for Change II: Reflection and Transition (1 credit)

Click here to check out the descriptions of the core courses and all the courses within the individual tracks.

Graduate Question of the Week

"My life is already hectic, how much time will I dedicate to graduate school?"


In graduate school, the time commitment is significant, especially for part-time students who are putting in a full week at work. As a rule of thumb, many professors will say for every hour of class, you can expect at least two hours of work outside of the classroom. Once you have a feel for your time commitment, you have to determine what “non-school” activities to give up to accommodate for your schedule. Most importantly, if you have a family, you need to prepare them for the sacrifices that will be made by everyone involved. With that being said, a graduate degree is certainly attainable and well worth the time and money. Grand View has an excellent support structure which is very important when looking at graduate schools.

Jacobson Fellows - $2,000/year Education Track Scholarships

The Jacobson Institute for Innovation in Education was established in 2008 by a gift from Richard O. Jacobson. A significant portion of the gift will endow scholarships to be used to support graduate students in education.  Mr. Jacobson joined the Grand View Board of Trustees in 1997 and continues to serve. His leadership and philanthropy at Grand View, and throughout and beyond Iowa, has helped numerous organizations improve education, build community and prepare for a better future. The vision of the Jacobson Institute for Innovation in Education is to identify innovative strategies that improve the quality of teaching and learning and to put them into practice.

Scholarship Announcement

Hey teachers - I'm excited to announce that Grand View is now offering a new scholarship in our Education track of the graduate program.  3.0+ undergraduate GPA, letter of recommendation from your principal or other administrator, and acceptance into the program equals a $2,000 renewable scholarship. It's that easy!

Detailed information will be posted on our web site in the coming weeks.

Grad Question of the Week

Recently, I've visited with numerous prospective students who have signed up for either the GRE or GMAT and are very anxious about taking the test.  I try my best to ease their minds, but never know if they're any less horrified! So I have decided to repost a graduate question of the week from back in early November.

"I have never been a good standardized test taker, so I’m very nervous about taking the graduate entrance exam. What should I do to prepare for it?"


Whether you’re taking the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or MCAT, most graduate admission experts will encourage applicants to study for the exam, but how you go about the process should be based on your personal study habits. At a minimum, I believe all applicants should purchase a study guide with prep tests. You can go to your local bookstore or order new and/or used study guides online (Amazon.com is a great resource). Using these test prep books enable you to take simulation tests which helps assess your strengths and weaknesses and also allows you to gauge your time management. Too many times, I hear stories of applicants who say they ran out of time and guessed on the final questions of the section.
Some applicants need a structured study plan and because of this, many will turn to a company that assists clients in studying for graduate exams. Some of these courses can be expensive, but are proven to be extremely helpful for many test-takers. For a low-cost prep course, I recommend contacting DMACC in Ankeny to see if they have a class that fits in your schedule.

Please keep in mind that the standardized test is only one component to the application. Graduate admission committees also consider the personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, undergraduate gpa and any other components the school requires. So don’t get too stressed about taking the test!

GV Grad Fact Friday

Grand View's graduate courses are scheduled on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-10 p.m. Our students take two classes per semester (typically 6 credit hours), but only have to meet once a week. So how does that work, you ask? Although our students are attending class every Tuesday evening, they alternate the specific classes every week. Click here to see our course schedules in detail.

Spotlight on Business: The Organizational Leader

As we developed the Master of Science in Innovative Leadership, our business advisory council, made up of representatives of about 30 central Iowa employers, stressed the importance of what they called "soft skills." Members observed that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find candidates for management positions who are truly proficient in the organizational, managerial, communication and team-building skills they need to move their organizations forward. As a result, Grand View developed the Organizational Leader curriculum, with significant input from those employers.
In the business track, you'll study the relationship between threat analysis and organizational failure ... become competent in conflict management, team-building, and interpersonal dynamics ... learn project management, including budgeting and resource allocation ... explore creative entrepreneurial thinking, including innovative positioning strategies for an organization ... and understand of the role of leadership in shaping organizational culture and social responsibility.

You'll be equipped to contribute innovative strategies and new perspectives to your organization, whether it's a for-profit company, an entrepreneurial endeavor, a government agency, a not-for-profit organization or a military unit.

Courses in the business track stress the competencies strong leadership requires:

• Change: Failures and Successes
• Leadership: Applied Systems Thinking
• Project Readings
• Resource Management
• Motivation
• Team Building and Conflict Management
• Strategic Thinking and Sustainability
• Leadership: Accountability and Social Responsibility
• Leading for Change III: Innovative Leadership Capstone