MISSION STATEMENT Valparaiso University, a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, prepares students to lead and serve in both church and society. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Undergraduate Academic Calendar . 3 Valparaiso in Brief . 5 Academic Programs . 8 International Study Programs . 18 Facilities for Learning . 26 Honors and Awards . 29 Student Life . 32 College of Arts and Sciences . 43 Christ College . 185 College of Business . 190 College of Engineering . 204 College of Nursing . 225 Interdisciplinary Programs . 232 Reserve Officer Training Corps . 240 Graduate School . 244 Law School . 245 Summer Sessions . 246 College of Adult Scholars . 247 Admission . 252 Registration . 257 Academic Policies . 258 Tuition and Fees . 265 Housing Regulations . 268 Refund Policy . 270 Financial Aid . 272 Scholarships . 273 Loan Funds . 274 Faculty . 285 Administration . 305 Board of Directors . 306 General Education Courses . 312 Index . 316 ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2012-2013 SESSIONS VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY BULLETIN (USPS 656-460) Volume 86, July 1, 2012 http://www.valpo.edu Valparaiso University Information Operator: 219-464-5000 Published by The Lutheran University Association, Inc., Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493. Second class postage paid at Valparaiso, Indiana. 1 The General Catalog of Valparaiso University is designed to describe the programs of the University and to give that information needed to guide students in the successful achievement of their academic goals. Nevertheless, the material is for information only and does not make a contract between the student and the University . Students themselves are ultimately responsible for completion of the requirements for their degrees as well as for the value they receive from University programs . The relationship between the University and its students is not custodial in nature. There is no special relationship with the University created by a student's enrollment. The University does not assume any duty toward any student that is not otherwise required by operation of law or by the terms of this catalog . In years when the General Catalog is not published, an Announcement Bulletin gives information on important changes in courses, calendar, staff, program and policies. The University reserves the right to discontinue an academic program if it is deemed no longer central to the University’s mission . Separate catalogs are issued for the Law School and the Graduate School, as well as a Summer Session Bulletin, which should be consulted for details about the related programs . Statement on Equality of Opportunity. Valparaiso University provides equality of opportunity to its applicants for admission, enrolled students, graduates, and employees. The University does not discriminate with respect to hiring, continuation of employment, promotion, and tenure, other employment practices, applications for admission, or career services and placement on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, or (as qualified herein) religion. An institution committed to its Lutheran tradition, the University reserves its right to promote the teaching of the church and to exercise preferences in admissions and employment-related practices in favor of Lutherans. Graduation Rate of Entering Freshmen. The graduation rate for all students entering Valparaiso University as first-time freshmen during the 2005-2006 academic year was 70.8%. This graduation rate represents the percentage of students entering Valparaiso University as first-time (i.e., new) full-time degree-seeking freshmen during the 2005 Summer and Fall semesters who subsequently were awarded baccalaureate degrees by Valparaiso University within six calendar years (i.e., through August 2011). 2 UNIVERSITY CALENDAR FOR 2012-2013 For the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering and Nursing. For the Law School, consult the Law School Bulletin. SUMMER I 2012 SUMMER II 2012 May 22, Tuesday . Instruction begins . July 2, Monday . Instruction begins . May 28, Monday, Memorial Day. No classes. July 4, Wednesday, Independence Day. No classes. June 29, Friday . Summer Session I ends . August 10, Friday, Summer Session II ends. July 2, Monday, Noon . Deadline for all grades . August 13, Monday, Noon . Deadline for all grades . FALL SEMESTER 2012 July 30-August 10. Web-based Enrollment Confirmation. August 17, Friday . Fall FOCUS registration for new students who did not participate in summer FOCUS registration . August 18, Saturday, 8:00 a.m . Fall Welcome orientation for freshmen begins . August 20, Monday, 3:00-4:00 p.m . Drop/Add Session . August 21, Tuesday, 8:00 a.m . Instruction begins . August 21-October 9. Dates for first half short courses. August 28, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for adding first half short courses. August 28, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for late registration for fall semester . August 28, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline to add or drop a course without grade of W . All requests for adding a course during the official drop-add period (first six class days) shall remain at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean or department chair . September 4, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for first half short courses. September 18, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for regular courses. September 21, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for withdrawing from first half short courses with grade of W. October 1, Monday. Last day to file application of candidacy for the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to be conferred in May or August, 2013. October 5-7, Friday-Sunday . Homecoming Weekend . October 8, Monday. Last date for partial refund of University charges . October 10, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for arranging course intensification. October 10-December 7. Dates for second half short courses . October 17, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for adding second half short courses . October 18-19, Thursday-Friday. Fall Break . No classes . October 22-November 9. Advance registration for Spring Semester, 2013. October 24, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for withdrawing from regular courses with grade of W . October 27-28, Saturday-Sunday . Family Weekend . October 29, Monday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for second half short courses. November 12, Monday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for withdrawing from second half short courses with grade of W . November 16, Friday, 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving recess begins. November 26, Monday, 8:00 a.m. Thanksgiving recess ends. November 30, Friday . Last day for tests in courses of 3 credits or more . Last day to petition for change in date of final examinations. December 7, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to officially withdraw from the University for Fall Semester. Last day to file petitions to change registration. December 7, Friday, 10:00 p.m . Instruction ends . December 8, Saturday, Reading day. December 9, Sunday . December Commencement Ceremony . December 10, Monday, 8:00 a.m . Final examinations begin . December 14, Friday, 5:30 p.m . Final examinations end . Semester ends . December 17, Monday, Noon . Deadline for reporting all grades . 3 SPRING SEMESTER 2013 December 3-14. Web-based Enrollment Confirmation. January 7, Monday . Orientation and registration for new students . January 8, Tuesday, 3:00-4:00 p.m . Drop/Add Session . January 9, Wednesday, 8:00 a.m . Instruction begins . January 9-March 18. Dates for first half short courses. January 16, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for adding first half short courses. January 16, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for late registration for spring semester . January 16, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline to add or drop a course without grade of W . All requests for adding a course during the official drop-add period (first six class days) shall remain at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean or department chair . January 21, Monday. Observation of Martin Luther King’s Birthday. January 25, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for first half short courses. February 8, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for withdrawing from first half short courses with grade of W. February 8, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for regular courses. February 26, Tuesday . Last date for partial refund of University charges . March 1, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline for arranging course intensification. March 1, Friday, 6:30 p.m . Spring recess begins . March 18, Monday, 8:00 a.m . Spring recess ends . March 19-May 7 . Dates for second half short courses . March 21, Thursday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for adding second half short courses . March 26, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for withdrawing from regular courses with grade of W . March 29, Good Friday . No classes . April 1, Monday. Last day to file application of candidacy for the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to be conferred in December, 2013. April 1-April 19. Advance registration for Fall Semester, 2013. April 2, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to file for S/U grade for second half short courses. April 17, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for withdrawing from second half short courses with grade of W . April 30, Tuesday . Last day for tests in courses of 3 credits or more . Last day to petition for change in date of final examinations. May 7, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. Deadline to officially withdraw from the University for Spring Semester. Last day to file petitions to change registration. May 7, Tuesday, 10:00 p.m . Instruction ends . May 8, Wednesday . Reading day . May 9, Thursday, 8:00 a.m . Final examinations begin . May 14, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m . Final examinations end . Semester ends . May 15, Wednesday, Noon . Deadline for grades for all candidates for all degrees . May 17, Friday, 5:00 p.m . Deadline for reporting all other grades .