Questions about Online Graduate Programs?
As an online student it is best to make sure you have appropriate technology. To be successful in your online program, check out the Office of Information Technology computer specifications guide.
*Note that using a wireless internet connection, including but not limited to 3G, 4G, WiFi, and WiMAX, is not as stable as a wired internet connection.
For additional software or technology needed, please check out the information below.
All Valpo students are provided an email account through Google gmail. You can access your account by visiting gmail.com and log in using your Valpo email address and password. It is essential that you check your Valpo email on a regular basis, as you will receive many updates and announcements for your program and courses via email.
Through your Valparaiso University Google account you’ll also have free use of Google’s G Suite, a cloud-based resource with a robust set of productivity and collaboration tools and software. The G Suite offers Google Docs (word processing), Google Sheets (spreadsheets), Google Slides (slide presentations), Google Hangouts (web video conferencing), and many other tools. You can access these tools through your email account.
Microsoft Office 365 is a subscription-based software package that includes the Microsoft apps we’re all familiar with, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more. With Office 365, these apps will always be up to date and accessible on all your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices provided you have internet connection. As a student at Valparaiso University, this software is free and available to download.
Please watch the below for instructions on how to download and install this free software. If further assistance is needed, please contact the Help Desk or visit this Office support article.
As a Valparaiso University student, you will also have access to purchase software at a discounted price through Kivuto Solutions’ OnTheHub e-store. This software catalog includes products from Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, Norton, Corel, and many more! You can find the OnTheHub e-store, which will require you to login using your Valpo username and password to access the store. In some cases, the University has license agreements for some software which incurs no additional charge or fee, so it may be best to check with the Help Desk to see if the software you’re looking for is available for free before purchasing.
If you are in need of hardware technology to purchase, in partnership with select vendors Valparaiso University offers students discounts for Apple, Dell, and HP products. However, many vendors offer discounts to students so be sure to see if the vendor offers educational discounts before purchasing.
Valparaiso University also offers discounts for select wireless carries, such as Sprint and Verizon. A discount can be applied to your monthly bill for both carriers, and for Verizon there is an additional discount for accessories.
For more information and additional discounts offered please visit our discounts page, which may require your Valpo login information to proceed.
Lynda.com is an online learning resource that provides training and instructional videos taught by industry experts in subjects such as software, design, business, and many more. These industry experts have real-world experience in their field and are passionate about teaching, and are able to present content in an easily understandable manner. Whether you want to achieve or better your personal or professional goals, or simply learn how to better your Microsoft Excel skills, Lynda.com is a powerful resource that will teach you just that and more.
As a student here at Valparaiso University, you will have access to the Lynda.com’s entire library on any device provided you have an internet connection. Click here to access Lynda.com; you will need to use your Valpo username and password to login.