Valparaiso University offers certificates in several fields. These stand-alone programs typically range from 15 to 30 credits. Each is designed to serve the needs of a specific professional audience and as such each has its own admission requirements. Certificate students may not be seeking a degree at Valparaiso University and are limited to eleven credits per semester (seven during each summer session).

Non-Credit Certificate Programs:

Online Executive Certificate in Paralegal Studies

The Office of Continuing Education has partnered with Dalton Education to offer this online, asynchronous program. This non-credit certificate program will introduce you step-by-step to the legal fundamentals to build your foundation as a legal professional.  Once you have a solid foundation, then you will develop the practical skills that make paralegal professionals a valued member of any legal team. 

Financial Planning Certificate Programs

Our partnership with Dalton Education gives the Continuing Education office the opportunity to offer two types of Financial Planning Certificate programs.  Please click here for more details.

Earned Credit Certificate Programs:

Information, Technology, and Communication
Understanding technology and its usage is critical to many professions, and demand for knowledge in this field continues to increase rapidly. To stay competitive, business, industry, government, and non-profits must hire and retain a labor force that can work creatively and efficiently with technology. At the same time, workers must be able to show present or potential employers current credentials in technical skills. To meet these and other needs, Valparaiso University offers four certificate programs in Information, Technology, and Communication.

Public Service and Leadership (PSL)
The PSL program is intended to create good citizens who are willing and qualified to serve their communities through participation in public service. Students are given background and training in government, social and public policy, administration, and leadership in order to prepare them as change agents who want to work with and for the public

This program is designed for individuals with a liberal arts or professional degree, an associate degree, or significant work experience who are considering or currently working in government and/or the public and non-profit sectors (NGO's). Persons wanting opportunities for continuing education in public service would also benefit from this program of study.

Organizational Management
The Organizational Management program is intended for individuals who work in an administrative or supervisory capacity and who would therefore benefit from training in business-related areas, including accounting, personnel management, marketing, business law, leadership, and business ethics. The certificate is open to persons with or without an undergraduate degree. All coursework may be applied toward a business degree at Valparaiso University.

Fundamentals of Business Certificate
The objective of the Fundamentals for Business Certificate is to introduce nonbusiness majors to the functional areas of business administration. This program is especially appropriate for students who plan to enter the job market after graduation with a traditional major from the College of Arts & Sciences.