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Valparaiso University
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Valparaiso University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.69

Academics

C+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 14:1
Full-Time Student Population 3,607
Part-Time Student Population 458
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 242
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 115
Total FT Faculty 242
Faculty with Terminal Degree 73%
Average Faculty Salary $69,004
Full-Time Retention Rate 82%
Part-Time Retention Rate 50%
Graduation Rate 70%
Programs/Majors Offered 97
Average Course Load 5 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 44%
  • 20 to 49 students: 51%
  • 50 or more students: 5%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

All professors at VU are incredibly approachable. If you have an issue with the class, or even if you have a question about something else in the department, they are always open to talking with you. Each professor has posted office hours, but most are around outside of their office hours with their doors open. Some will even give out their cell phone numbers and encourage students to call them at home if they need help. Because the average class size at VU is very small, each of the professors will manage to learn who you are both in and out of class. They know if you don’t show up to class, but if they mention it to you, it is because they want you to be able to make the most out of your time at VU. This helps a lot when writing recommendations since they actually know enough about you to write a unique letter.

Something unique about Valpo is that every class is taught by a professor rather than a graduate student or teacher's assistant. Very few classes even have TAs; science labs often have lab assistants, but when it comes to the actual classes, you can expect to see a professor standing at the front of the room lecturing and answering questions. VU is what many call a teaching school, and while the professors are strongly encouraged to do research and publish in journals, their primary focus and objective is to teach students. While some professors may not be the most personable, on the whole, they are accessible and ready to help you learn.

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Valparaiso Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Valparaiso University

ValpewLova

Health Care '15

4.2
A-

Christ College

To any incoming Freshmen freaking out about the "honors college" I'm here to calm your fears. First semester of the Freshman program is Pass/Fail (super easy to pass, pay no mind to the number of times you get D's on papers.) Second semester? "Graded." But I didn't hand in two of my weekly papers and got C's and D's on pretty much all my papers yet still pulled a solid B in the course. Not bad for what I'd consider to be very minimal effort. The main issue I had with Christ College was the other people in it. For the most part they're stuck up, aren't even that smart, and don't even do terribly well in the program that they literally center their on-campus lives around. Gag.

May 26, 2012

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Academics at Valparaiso University

chell1127

Spanish Language and Literature '14

1.5
D+

Lack and Overload

I came to Valparaiso University because it was close to home. Had I visited and learned more about the campus before attending, I probably would not have chosen to attend. It is a very small campus and there is a lack of diversity in students and professors. I have had the same Spanish professor 3/4 semesters that I've been there. There is a work overload. I spend a ridiculous amount of time on homework. Registration is fairly easy and the school websites are simple to navigate. Engineering is a popular area of study.

Apr 13, 2012

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Academics at Valparaiso University

3492

Sport and Fitness Management '14

3.5
B

Sports Management Major at Valpo

I love my major, sports management. I have been disappointed with a few professors in my major (avoid taking any of Minyong Lee's classes), and although the school really doesn't put a ton of time or effort into my major, the classes I have taken are awesome, and made me realize how certain I was that I wanted to be a sports management major at Valpo. The career center has attempted to put on a few sports management career fairs and presentations.

Mar 17, 2012

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Page 1 of 10
User rating for Valparaiso University - Academics is 3.5 out of 5 based on 30 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: Yes
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: Yes
Recreational/Avocational: Yes
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: No
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3 or higher
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 5, 6, or 7
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Nursing
Degrees Awarded
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Certificate
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-bachelor's certificate
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce: 3%
  • Law: 7%
  • Registered Nursing (RN): 4%
  • Sport and Fitness Management: 2%
Graduation Requirements
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Foreign languages
  • Humanities
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Sciences (biological or physical)
  • Social science
  • Theology
  • Valpo Core
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Other Academic Offerings
  • Accelerated program
  • Cooperative education program
  • Cross-registration
  • Double major
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Exchange student program (domestic)
  • Honors program
  • Independent study
  • Internships
  • Liberal arts/career combination
  • Student-designed major
Best Places to Study
  • Christ College Commons
  • Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources
Did You Know?
  • In 2004, Valpo received its Phi Beta Kappa Charter, joining universities around the nation in the prestige and tradition of this academic honor society.
  • If you don't want to stick around for summer sessions but need to catch up on your credits, take an online class. Valpo offers several online courses in the summer (as well as a few during the academic year).
  • To fuel your mind, you need to feed your body! Valpo profs understand this, so twice a year during final exams, the Valpo profs serve Midnight Brunch in the Union. Just make a donation of canned goods or a dollar to charity, and you will get served by your profs.
  • The College of Engineering is the only designated engineering college at a Lutheran University in the United States. It also is ranked in the top 10th percentile in the nation.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Amber Will
Hometown
Schofield, WI
Major
Political Science and History

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.