Overview of the Department

Education

Valparaiso University's Department of Education (accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Indiana Department of Education) prepares future educators who have strong academic backgrounds, broad knowledge of child and adolescent development and effective teaching practices, extensive experiences in K-12 classrooms; and caring and reflective attitudes. These are the building blocks needed to teach tomorrow's students-children and young people with diverse cultural, ethnic, and language backgrounds, as well as those with diverse academic achievement levels and ability profiles.

Opportunities

This is a great time to prepare for a career in education, and VU is a great place to do it. By the year 2006 an additional 190,000 teachers will be needed to teach in U.S. classrooms. having met Indiana's high standards of teacher quality, VU education graduates will have the excellent qualifications necessary to fill these positions. The VU Education Department is committed to providing education students with extensive field experiences beginning in the sophomore year and always including significant experience with minority populations. Our students take their commitment one step further by their involvement in Kappa Delta Pi, National Education Honor Society, and VU's Student Advisory Board, which offers students' perspectives on education curriculum.

Distinct

The quality of the Education faculty greatly enhances student experience. These faculty members remain at the cutting edge of education issues through their participation in task forces and advisory committees of state and national professional and accrediting organizations. Personal faculty/student interactions are at the heart of education here. The departmental goal to integrate computers into all aspects of the curriculum also strengthens teacher preparation. Students achieve their individual goals through strong curricula and advising.

Success

• Teacher Placement Office Students who complete their undergraduate education at Valparaiso University are entitled to use the Teacher Placement services provided by the Education Department. Tailored to meet the specific needs of teachers, the Teacher Placement Office offers an invaluable service to VU education graduates.
  
• Placement Rate A VU degree translates into opportunities upon graduation with 95% of education graduates employed or attending graduate school within 6 months following graduation.
  
• National & Lutheran Employment VU education alumni teach across the nation and in many different countries. Given the Lutheran heritage of Valparaiso University, we are also proud that over 200 education alumni teach in Lutheran elementary and secondary schools across the country as well.

Contact us at 1-888-Go-Valpo or Education.Dept@valpo.edu.