The International Commerce and Policy program (ICP) provides training in the political, legal, cultural, and social aspects of global commerce, business, policy, and economics. This 36-credit program, distinct from the MBA degree, is designed especially for international and U.S. students keen to develop proficiency and understanding in areas related to international relations, politics, business, law, and policy. The program, usually completed in 18 months if the student begins coursework in the fall, consists of a core of 24 credits. From there students may pursue one of several electives. Students who are non-native English speakers may add English for Business classes to their core requirements. Up to 3 elective credits may be taken from language courses in the student’s non-native tongue.
Admission
Applicants must meet all the graduate admission requirements (see here ) as well as demonstrate adequate preparation for successful study in the program. Previous college-level coursework in macroeconomics, microeconomics, or their equivalent is recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the program in the fall semester. Students may be eligible for admission to this program as an Early Entry student. See here for more information.
ICP Thesis Option
The International Commerce and Policy program provides a thesis option for qualifying students, particularly those interested in,pursuing doctoral level study. Specifically, students approved for this option must take 3 credits beyond the regular ICP degree (39,credits total). Thesis completion requires adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Thesis Manual, available on the Graduate Office academic forms website.
Admission to Thesis Candidacy
Students meeting the following criteria may be accepted as candidates for the ICP thesis option. Prospects must demonstrate that they have met the qualifications for thesis work through an application for Thesis Candidacy. This form requires the signatures of two or more Valparaiso University faculty, one from the student’s area of concentration, who have agreed to serve on the thesis committee. In addition, the prospect must provide evidence of having completed the prerequisite coursework, submit GRE scores of 1100 or above (quantitative plus verbal), have achieved a grade point average of 3.70 or higher in all graduate coursework at Valparaiso University, and have successfully completed ICP 692 with a grade of A or A-.
Thesis prospects must have completed 21 credits of ICP before enrolling in ICP 795 . Since enrollment in ICP 692 is currently permitted after 12 credits are completed, the thesis proposal work may be included in the 21 credits of prerequisite coursework.
Thesis Implementation
A thesis may involve academic or applied research, or creative work. Research projects may be primarily analytical, critical, and synthetic in nature, or they may be primarily empirical (data based). To ensure an appropriate methodology, students carrying out a research project, particularly one that is empirical, may be advised to complete a course on Research Methodology in an appropriate discipline prior to undertaking thesis work.
An important step in the thesis process is selection of the thesis committee. Prospects should not assume that any or all faculty can or will agree to serve on a thesis committee. Rather, they will need to demonstrate through the quality of their graduate coursework as well as the alignment of their topic with faculty interest and expertise that faculty mentoring is both deserving and possible.
Thesis work is generally carried out in two phases. ICP 692 is intended for the development of the thesis proposal and should result in a preliminary review of the field and a detailed proposal of study or of the project (e.g., 30-40 pages plus an appropriate list of references or citations). This coursework should be carried out under the supervision of at least one of the faculty who will serve on the thesis committee. If the proposal is approved by the thesis committee, the student may enroll in ICP 795 Master’s Thesis . The thesis itself should represent a significant contribution to the field and be of publishable or exhibition/exposition quality. Upon completion, the thesis is reviewed by the faculty of the thesis committee and defended by the student at public forum announced by email one week in advance to the students and faculty of the program. The approved thesis should be deposited to ValpoScholar in accordance with Thesis Manual guidelines.
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