Step 2 and 3: Choosing the way to apply (paper or online) and which graduate track (degree-seeking or non-degree seeking

We welcome your application for admission to the Graduate School of Valparaiso University. The mission of the Graduate School is to serve the advanced learning, professional development, and personal enrichment needs of individuals regionally and nationally. The Graduate School admits students that demonstrate the ability and motivation to succeed in an academically challenging environment.

Two ways of applying
You have the option of completing your application online and submitting it electronically or downloading the application in Adobe PDF format. When entering your application data online please do not press the "Return" key until all information has been entered. You may press the "Tab" key to move from a question box to another.

The PDF applications come packaged with all of the necessary forms, including the forms for submitting letters of recommendation. If you are submitting you application online, you will need to get the forms for submitting letters of recommendation from the forms page.

Recommendation Forms
All prospective degree-seeking students must submit recommendations, although the content requested and number required varies by program. Students applying for the School Counseling, School Psychology, or Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs should note that they are required to submit the provided recommendation forms, which may be accompanied by a letter if the recommender wishes to elaborate. Master of Education and LEAPS prospects also have specific forms that must be submitted. Students applying to other programs have the option of submitting either the provided forms or individualized letters, although recommenders are encouraged to address the content areas listed in the forms.

Recommendation forms are available as both PDF files and secure online forms on the "Forms" section of the Graduate School website. The secure recommendation forms must be initiated by the prospective student before the recommenders are contacted. Paper versions are also available at the Graduate School office.

If you plan to seek a Masters Degree or Post-Masters Certificate...
To apply to a program online click on the keyboard and mouse icon. Note the additional requirements.

		Arts and Entertainment Administration (MA)
		Business Administration (MBA)
		Business Administration/JD Dual Degree (MBA/JD)
		Chinese Studies (MA)
		Chinese Studies/JD Dual Degree (MA/JD)
		Chinese Studies, K-12 Teacher's Track (MA)
		Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
		Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Psychology/JD Dual Degrees (MA/JD)
		Comparative Global Inquiry (MA)
		Computational Science (MS)
		Digital Media (MS)
		Engineering Management (MEM)
		English Studies and Communication (MA)
		Health Administration (MHA)
		Humane Education (MA MED MALS or Certificate)
		Information Technology (MS)
		Initial Licensure (MED)
		Initial Licensure-LEAPs (MED)1
		Instructional Leadership (MED)
		International Commerce and Policy (MS)
		International Commerce and Policy (MS/JD)
		International Economics and Finance (MS)
		Liberal Studies (MALS) *
		Liberal Studies/JD Dual Degree (MALS/JD)*
		Nursing Education (MSN)
		Nursing / Master of Business Administration (MSN/MBA)
		Nursing Practice-Post MSN (DNP)1
		Nursing Practice-Post BSN (DNP)1
		School Counseling (MED/EDS)
		School Psychology (MED/EDS)
		Sports Administration (MS)
		Sports Administration/JD Dual Degree(MS/JD)
		Sports Media (MS)
		Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA)

*MALS and JD / MALS Areas of Concentration

• English
• Ethics and Values
• Gerontology
• History
• Human Behavior and Society
• Humane Education
• Theology / Theology and Ministry (includes Deaconess Track)
• Individualized

If you are not seeking a degree...
To apply to a program online click on the keyboard and mouse icon. Note the additional requirements.

		Teacher Certification (Addition of Content Area, or Licensure in Special Education)	1					2	3
		Professional Educator (License Renewal)
		Visiting Student
		Graduate Non-Degree Student (Personal Enrichment, Nursing Non-Degree, and all other non-degree)
		Graduate Non-Degree Certificate Programs	4
		Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

¹ M.Ed. in Initial Licensure-LEAPs, MSN/DNP, BSN/DNP, and Transition-to-Teaching requires 3 Letters of Recommendation.
² License is required for content area addition and Licensure in Special Education applications only.
³ Necessary only for those individuals seeking a first-time teaching license.
⁴ 1 Letter of Recommendation Required.

Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or (as qualified herein) religion, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities, generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or (or as qualified herein) religion in administration of it educational policies, admissions, policies, scholarship and loan programs, career services and placement, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Valparaiso University is an institution committed to its Lutheran traditions. The University reserves the right to promote the teachings of the church and to exercise preferences in admissions in favor of Lutherans.

All application materials, including transcripts, become part of the records of Valparaiso University and may not be returned to the applicant for any reason.