In addition to providing administrative oversight for graduate programs and implementing the policies of the Graduate Educational Policy Committee, the Graduate Office sponsors a variety of co-curricular opportunities that enhance graduate student life at Valparaiso University. Selected examples are provided below.
Orientation Sessions
New graduate students must attend orientation sessions designed specifically to meet the needs of this group. These sessions provide information about the University’s policies and regulations, give practical advice for getting settled (e.g., obtaining student IDs, computer accounts, parking permits, etc.), and inform students of the many resources and opportunities available to them as members of the University community. Due to different start dates or other special requirements, some programs may require attendance at additional orientations (e.g., MBA, Nursing, IT). Students should adhere to the orientation requirements of their home programs.
International students are required to participate in the extended New International Graduate Student Orientation, which takes place during the weeks prior to the start of the semester. The extended orientation includes sessions on academic expectations in the United States, campus services and resources (both academic and non-academic), education acclimation activities, and introductions to key staff and faculty who can serve as support and mentors for international graduate students.
Graduate Student Advisory Council
The Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) is comprised of graduate student representatives from each degree program. It meets each semester to address issues of concern to graduate students and to make recommendations to the Graduate Office, program directors, and the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. Each year, one member of GSAC is elected to serve on the University Council. The council is overseen by the Associate Provost of Graduate and Online Education and the assistant director of academic services in the Graduate Office.
Graduate Academic Success
Graduate Academic Success (GRD 500) is a course required for all new international students to complete during their first semester of enrollment. This course is designed to introduce them to the American higher education system, academic integrity, resources on campus, design of a research paper and presentation, and graduate coursework expectations. This course may be replaced by another required course if the replacement course can demonstrate that it meets the same learning objectives and experiences as Graduate Academic Success and with recommendation by the advisor and with approval by the respective college dean.
Graduate Tutoring and University Writing Center
Graduate tutoring is coordinated with program directors and made available across program content areas to serve the academic needs of all graduate students. The “Fourth-Hour” tutoring option is specifically available to international students taking introductory courses to help cultivate and develop professional vocabulary and spoken English language proficiency within a specific discipline. If a graduate student expresses interest in additional one-on-one tutoring for a particular class, an attempt will be made by the Graduate Office to find someone to help.
Graduate students and graduate faculty in the University Writing Center provide assistance with formatting and structure of written assignments. In touch with graduate curricula, the tutors offer suggestions on the organization of papers, assist in research and citations, or help in understanding difficult assignments. Students make appointments for this assistance through the Writing Center’s website at valpo.edu/writingcenter.
Recognitions and Awards
The Graduate Academic Symposium, held in conjunction with the Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE), provides an opportunity for graduate students to present their research and creative projects in a public forum. A call goes out each spring for students to submit proposals for presentations at this event.
Graduate students with grade point averages of 3.90 or higher in the previous semester will be named to the Dean’s List. Students must be enrolled full-time (9+ credits) in the respective semester to be considered. Students will be notified of inclusion on the list after all final grades have been posted, will be honored with a letter of recognition, and will be invited to a special event coordinated by the Graduate Office. Graduating students will not be eligible to be recognized in their final semester. Students in programs with S/U grading only (e.g., MSPA) are not eligible for Dean’s List recognition.
At the time of graduation, graduating students with grade point averages of 3.80 to 3.89, or MSPA students with a Very Strong record, are recognized as “graduating with distinction,” and graduating students with grade point averages of 3.90 or higher, or MSPA students with an Outstanding record, are recognized as “graduating with highest distinction.” For the purpose of this recognition in commencement ceremonies, including the printed commencement program, determination of graduating honors is made at the conclusion of the semester prior to the semester in which the student graduates (e.g., May graduates’ grade point averages are calculated
after the due date for final grades in December). If a student’s final cumulative grade point average increases by completion of the degree program to a qualifying grade point average for honors, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Graduate Office within one month after commencement to request a letter of recognition. MSPA students should consult the MSPA Student Handbook for definitions of Outstanding record and Very Strong record.
The Graduate Student Leadership and Service Award recognizes up to three graduating students who have consistently made contributions that benefit others in alignment with the University mission to lead and serve. This award is also intended to make service and leadership by graduate students more visible to the campus community. The contributions may be in the form of leadership through academic and/or extracurricular accomplishments, volunteer work, community activism, or public service. The Leadership and Service Award is presented twice annually at the May and December Graduate Commencement Banquet. To qualify for nomination for the Leadership and Service Awards, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be completing a Valpo graduate degree in the semester they are nominated (May or August for May recipients, December for December recipients).
- Students must be in good academic standing (minimum 3.00 GPA). Part time and full-time students are eligible for this award.
- Demonstrated leadership and service activities during their graduate career at Valparaiso University. (Note - Leadership and Service activities cannot be based on undergraduate experience.)
The Athenaeum Honor Society for Graduate Students
The Athenaeum is an honor society sponsored by the Graduate Office that recognizes the scholarly, creative, and intellectual pursuits of graduate students. Students meeting the following criteria may be nominated for membership and recognition:
- Completion of 24 credits of coursework at the time of nomination
- Attainment of an overall graduate grade point average of 3.80 (or Outstanding record for MSPA)
- Presentation or publication of scholarly or creative work in a public forum (this may include the Symposium for Graduate Research at Valparaiso University)
- Evidence of good character
Nominees are reviewed and recommended by members of the Council of Graduate Program Directors and recognized each semester with a letter and honor cords.
Services Through the Web Site
Prospective and current graduate students are encouraged to use the Graduate Office web page www.valpo.edu/graduate-school to download petition and request forms, or learn about the many other services and opportunities offered through the Graduate Office. Students may also connect with the Graduate Office via social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter) to learn about upcoming events and exciting news.
Services Through Email
Current graduate students are encouraged to check their Valparaiso University email each week for regular communications by the Graduate Office. Sent at least once per week, these communications include important dates, deadlines, and upcoming events, as well as student-related announcements.
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