Education
Education at Valpo
Find your calling in the classroom at Valpo. We prepare future teachers to make a difference and illuminate pathways for students to become leaders in K-12 education.
Why Choose Education at Valpo?
From their first semester, Valpo education students are active participants in local schools. The curricula thoughtfully weave together theory and classroom teaching with integrated, supervised field experiences. By the final semester, students engage in a full semester student teaching experience. Learn more about experiential learning in the classroom.
Valpo’s education faculty intentionally creates collaborative communities within each of our programs and with regional professionals. With small class sizes and an intimate student-faculty ratio, our faculty get to know and mentor students on an individual basis.
Foundations Mentor Learning Community (FMLC): This community of in-service teachers serve as mentors for education foundational coursework. Teachers visit Wesemann Hall twice each semester throughout the academic year for training in leadership and mentorship. Valpo students gain valuable experience through active participation in the mentor teachers’ classrooms throughout the semester.
Mentor Learning Community (MLC): This community of in-service teachers supports the third-year practicum, where students receive six weeks of full-day preservice teaching with teacher mentors. In-service teachers visit Wesemann Hall monthly for one semester to develop skills in research-based mentoring practices and evidence-based reading instruction.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Objectives
Tuition at Valpo is extremely affordable for one of the top institutions in the Midwest and lower than many other private universities in the region. Valpo’s education programs have job placement rates at or near 100 percent for graduates. In other words, investing in a Valpo education opens up a lifetime of meaningful work.
Undergraduate Programs
Encounter personalized experiences with dedicated faculty and enriching practicum placements with Valpo’s elementary education major. Through our cohort model, students will progress through the program with built-in support, camaraderie, and collaboration. Earn a K-6 educator license that can be taken anywhere in the United States. With two immersive practicum experiences, students gain a full six weeks of classroom experience prior to student teaching. Valpo’s education program will help you develop your unique talents and skills to serve others in the teaching profession.
Early Childhood Education Minor
The early childhood education minor allows students to develop the knowledge and skills to engage young children in developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
The early childhood education minor may lead to P-3 licensure.
Education Minor
The education minor allows undergraduates to learn about education systems as well as student development and learning. The education minor is a valuable tool that is applicable in many career paths, including those in P-12 schools and other learning institutions. The education minor does not lead to teaching licensure.
Secondary Education Minor
Content majors (English, history, science, math, and world languages) can pursue 5-12 licensure and ultimately fulfill all requirements to be licensed at the middle and high school teaching level with the secondary education minor. Pedagogical coursework, embedded classroom practice, and a student teaching semester provide extensive experiences.
Special Education Minor
The special education minor provides meaningful learning experiences about individuals with disabilities, special education law, assessment and evaluation, reading disabilities, as well as models for inclusion and collaboration.
The special education minor may lead to K-12 licensure in mild intervention.
Graduate Programs
Change careers and become an adept educator in as little as 12 months through Valparaiso University’s transition to teaching program.
Our CAEP-accredited transition to teaching licensure program is for those who have a passion for education, already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-educational field, and are interested in becoming a classroom teacher. We offer alternative teacher certification in Indiana for the following areas:
- Elementary education (Grades K-6)
- Secondary education (Grades 5–12), with content specialization in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages
- Early childhood education (Preschool- Grade 3)
More Information
Valparaiso University prepares teachers for employment through rigorous coursework and extensive field experience.
education
Find Your Calling in the Classroom
Students, faculty, and local teachers describe the unique undergraduate experience provided by Valparaiso University’s education program.
education
Program Offerings
Contact the Department
Valparaiso University’s education faculty welcomes outreach from prospective students, alumni, education professionals, and community members.
Wendy Paterson, Administrative Assistant
Douglas Wassilak, Director of Accreditation and Field Placement
Benjamin Boche, Interim Department Chair
department of education and
social work
219.464.5077
Wesemann Hall
656 S Greenwich Street
Valparaiso, IN 46383