Overview

Having early-entry programs at Valpo permits Valpo undergraduate students to apply for early-entry into select Valpo graduate programs and enroll in graduate level coursework (6 credits for most programs, but up to 12 credits for programs 60 credits or more) during their senior year. This graduate level coursework will then be applied to both the student's undergraduate and graduate degrees. Early entry programs provide significant time, cost ($3300), and planning incentives to our own high quality undergraduates to consider Valpo as their graduate school of choice.

The early entry 4 + 1 program (bachelor's and master's in five years of study) allows qualified students to enroll in graduate coursework during their senior year in the following programs:

• MA in Arts and Entertainment Administration
• MA in Chinese Studies
• MA in English Studies and Communication
• MA in TESOL
• MED in Initial Licensure
• MA in Liberal Studies (8 concentrations available)
• MS in Computation in the Sciences
• MS in Information Technology (2 concentrations available)
• MS in International Commerce and Policy
• MS in International Economics and Finance
• MS in Digital Media
• MS in Sports Media
• MS in Sports Administration

Other early-entry programs available only to Valpo undergraduate students:

• M.Ed./Ed.S. School Counseling
• M.Ed./Ed.S. School Psychology
• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

General Procedure

Early-entry applicants must have a 3.3 GPA or higher. The 6 graduate credits applied to the graduate program must be beyond those required for the undergraduate major of any program, but would count toward the 124 cr required for graduation. The student must also meet with the Program Director for advisement before submitting an application.

1. The applicant should submit the following materials by March 1 of his/her junior year or October 1 of his/her senior year:
   • Application, fee, and supplemental application if needed
   • Essay
   • Letters of reference
   • Transcript(s) of completed coursework (an unofficial copy is acceptable at this time)
   • Letter of recommendation from undergraduate adviser verifying eligibility for early-entry
   • Evidence of a degree audit (can be done at DataVU or with undergraduate academic advisor)
2. If, after review by the Program Committee, the applicant is offered conditional admission, s/he may register for graduate level coursework, as approved by the Program Director during his/her senior year. The student retains undergraduate status until all coursework for the undergraduate degree is completed.
3. In spring of the senior year, the conditionally admitted student will be reviewed again by the Program Committee for final acceptance. At this time, the student will need to submit an updated copy of his/her transcript.