Graduate Student Life

Valparaiso University hosts a variety of organizations providing ministry to students in addition to ministry offered through the Chapel of the Resurrection.  Centered in Christ, the Ministry of the Chapel of the Resurrection proclaims God’s love; serves students, faculty, staff, and the wider community; and welcomes all. Learn more about the University’s Lutheran character.

The Career Center is dedicated to assisting current students with all of their career development needs from their first year onward. We can assist with a variety of different issues, both in individual and group settings.  Please visit the Career Center web page for more information about services and hours.

The Fitness Center, located next to the ARC, has a vast array of cardio equipment and strength machines to keep Valpo students strong and fit.  The Fitness Center is also home for Recreational Sports, with offices in the north side of the building.  Visit the Fitness Center web page for more information.

The Valparaiso University Center for the Arts is proud to offer a comprehensive and ambitious visual and performing arts program for Valparaiso University, encompassing the areas of Art, Music, Theatre, Bach Institute, and the Brauer Museum of Art.  Visit the VUCA web page for more information.

Because technology is a vital part of our daily lives, the Office of Information Technology is focused on bringing students, faculty, and staff the highest form of technology in order to enrich the learning on campus. IT supports the campus by providing leadership, quality resources, and effective services while nurturing an environment in which technology users can flourish. Visit the IT web page for more information.

Valparaiso University’s OneCard Office strives to provide the University community with a standardized and convenient form of identification with the ability to function as a key to access a variety of University systems and services, while seeking new and expanded uses of the card through improved, advanced technology. A dedicated and professionally-trained staff is committed to providing the University and all customers with courteous, timely, efficient, and effective services. The Valparaiso University OneCard is your one-stop shop and allows you to:

• Access buildings on campus
• Make use of your Beacon Bucks, Dining Dollars and Bookstore Credit
• Utilize facilities and amenities offered to cardholders
• Check out materials at both libraries on campus
• Get into campus events, such as sporting events, musicals, etc., for free or at reduced prices

Visit the OneCard web page for more information

The graduate student forms are organized into the following categories:

• Forms & petitions for academic changes
• Independent coursework forms
• Master’s Thesis coursework forms
• Internship forms (non-licensure students)
• Graduation & degree completion forms

eForms will be routed automatically through an electronic approval queue to the necessary instructors, advisor, program director, and college dean.  You will receive regular updates via email with your eForm’s progress.  Pdf forms must be signed, including the necessary approval signatures, and returned to the Graduate Office in Kretzmann Hall or via email to .

• Petition to Transfer Credit (eForm)

• Petition for Course Substitution (eForm)

• Petition for Course Overload (eForm)

• Petition to Add a Course After the Deadline (eForm)

• Petition to Withdraw from a Course After the Deadline (eForm)

• Petition to Attend Another Institution (eForm)

• Petition to Extend a Degree Program (.pdf)

• Early Entry Bridge Program Worksheet (eForm)

• Request for Leave of Absence

• Petition to Appeal Financial Charges (.pdf) 

• Petition for Readmission (eForm) 

• Registration Form (eForm)

• Late Registration Form

Students who will be leaving the University should complete the Change of University Academic Status request through their DataVU student account.  Log into DataVU, select Change of University Academic Status, and follow the prompts to complete the request.

Immediate formal withdrawal students should select “immediately, in the current term” for their withdrawal date.  Prior to completing an immediate withdrawal request, students should also refer to the Student Accounts tuition refund schedule for applicable information.

Non-returning students should select “in the next term” for their withdrawal date.

Independent Academic Coursework Form (eForm) – students pursuing an Independent Study, Integrative Project, or Research Project should use this form to request approval of their independent academic work to investigate a special topic through readings, research and write on a focused topic, or research for or write a thesis under faculty supervision.

PSY 700 Integrative Project (.pdf) – CMHC students completing their Integrative Project.

Observation or Practicum (.pdf) – observation or practicum experience including exposure to and guidance within practical or work settings related to the student’s field of study.  Typically used in ESC or TESOL programs.

• Master’s Thesis Manual – students planning to pursue a Master’s Thesis and faculty who will be overseeing a student thesis or sitting on a thesis committee should review this Manual for guidelines and thesis requirements.
• Pre-Thesis Academic Work Proposal Form (eForm) – students pursuing an Independent Study, Research Project, or Master’s Thesis Proposal in preparation for their Master’s Thesis should use this form to request approval of their independent academic work to investigate a special topic through readings, research and write on a focused topic, or research for or write a thesis under faculty supervision.
• Master’s Thesis Proposal & Application (eForm) – students pursuing their Master’s Thesis should use this form to request approval of their thesis coursework.
• Sample Title Page – students may use this sample document to format their Thesis Title Page.
• Thesis Approval Form – the Thesis Approval Form will be completed and signed after a student has successfully defended and edited their final thesis.
• Author’s Release Form – this form must be completed prior to submission of your thesis to ValpoScholar.

Students required or choosing to complete an internship must complete the Internship Form and attach the required documentation in order to request approval of their internship from the Dean of the college and proceed with registration. Please note that the review of these forms may take up to three weeks due to the placement agreement contract. Students are encouraged to submit their internship forms well before the start of the new semester.

The Internship Form is required for students in non-licensure programs, which include: Analytics & Modeling, Cyber Security, Digital Media, English Studies & Communication, Health Administration, Information Technology, International Economics & Finance, Sports Administration, Sports Media, and TESOL.

• Internship Form (eForm) – requires upload of offer letter, job description, learning goals, Transportation Agreement (off campus sites only) and Placement Agreement (off campus sites only).
• Transportation Agreement – required of students completing their internship off campus (not working for any department or office of Valparaiso University).  This should be downloaded and signed by the student, and attached when you complete the Internship eForm.
• Placement Agreement – required of students completing their internship off campus (not working for any department or office of Valparaiso University).  This should be downloaded, completed and signed by your internship, then attached when you complete the Internship eForm.

The following evaluation forms are required by the Graduate Office during students’ internships.

• Midterm Internship Supervisor Evaluation
• Final Internship Supervisor Evaluation
• Final Student Internship Evaluation

The following are suggested for use by departments for student internships, but individual program requirements may vary.  Students should consult their advisor and program director for specific requirements.

• Internship Requirements

• Weekly Log

Petition for Early Graduation Participation (.pdf)

Application for Graduation – the Application for Graduation is completed through your DataVU student account.  Once you have completed the Application for Graduation, you will receive a confirmation email and you will be included in the mailing lists to receive information about Grad Finale and Commencement.  Please log in to complete the Application for Graduation by the following deadlines:

November 1 for May graduates

February 1 for August graduates

September 1 for December graduates

Dropping and adding courses may be done through your student account Self-Service on DataVU during Drop/Add at the start of each semester.  A video tutorial is available for students to learn more about how to Drop or Add courses via Self-Service DataVU.  Click here to view the tutorial.  After Drop/Add is completed, students may withdraw from a course through their student account on Self-Service DataVU until the midpoint of the semester.  After the withdrawal deadline has passed, students must complete a Petition to Withdraw After the Deadline, found on the Forms web page.

Once the schedule of courses is released for the following semester, please meet with your advisor to discuss course selection and for your advisor to remove the advising hold.  After the advising hold is removed on Self-Service, you may register for your courses through your student account on Self-Service DataVU.  Click here for additional registration assistance resources.

Registration will not be allowed if you have holds on your account from the Graduate Office, Student Accounts, Health Center, or other campus departments.  Please ensure your account is free from holds by looking on your user profile on Self-Service DataVU.

Employment can be an important part of a student’s educational experience while on campus. Many of our students find employment on and off campus.  To search for work study related jobs, please visit Handshake, an on-line database that houses all jobs and internship opportunities for Valpo students. When searching for work study related jobs, please use “work study” in the search box for easier navigation.

Many graduate students are required or encouraged to pursue an internship as part of their graduate program.  Students should consult their program director to learn about opportunities specific to their program of study.  Additionally, students may search for internship opportunities through Handshake, an on-line database that houses internship opportunities for Valpo students, submitted by outside employers and organizations.

Application for Graduation – the Application for Graduation is now completed through Self-Service DataVU student account.  Please log in to complete the Application for Graduation by the following deadlines:

• November 1 for May graduates
• February 1 for August graduates
• September 1 for December graduates

Please find other important graduation information here.