About Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Founded in 1928, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is considered one of the most prestigious institutions of Chilean higher education. PUCV is located in Valparaíso, seventy miles from the capital of Chile, Santiago. Valparaíso is Chile's coastal door to the Pacific Ocean, the location of the Legislative Assembly and the capital of the Fifth Region. Valparaíso boasts hundreds of passageways and streets with countless bends and curves. Endless stairways traverse Valparaíso's 42 hills facing the sea. These hills are dotted with colorful houses that overlook and are met by the Pacific at their base. To live and to visit Valparaíso is always exciting - not only because of its charm but also because of its magic. Valparaíso enchants like few places can.

In this Section

 

Program Offerings

Internships

Cost

Financial Assistance

Dates

Accommodation

Eligibility

Transfer of Credit

To Apply

Links

 

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Home Page

PUCV Courses Listed by Faculty

MU Course Catalog

 

























Program Offerings

 

Students at PUCV are registered for 12-15 total academic credits. Course offerings are comprised of two parts: a required six credit Chilean Spanish Language and Culture course offered to all international students through PUCV's Programa Internacional de Intercambio Estudiantil (PIIE) and regular PUCV semester courses which international students can take with their Chilean peers. For the Chilean language and culture course, and other courses offered by PIIE, students are divided into one of four levels of instruction according to the results of placement tests conducted upon arrival at PUCV. Students with a stronger proficiency may complete their other six to nine credits with regular PUCV semester courses; those with a lesser proficiency may complete only three credits of regular semester courses and nine PIIE credits. Tutors are also available free of charge.

PUCV Offers Courses in:

  • Statistics
  • Physics
  • Math
  • Chemistry
  • Business
  • Accounting
  • Social Work
  • Physical Education
  • Education
  • Philosophy
  • Music
  • History
  • Literature
  • English
  • Psychology
  • Geography
  • Ocean Science
  • Oceanography
  • Journalism

To see a complete list of courses, please click here.

Courses are broken down by faculty and semester. Students who will study abroad during the fall semester should look at Semester 2 classes at PUCV, and students going in the spring semester should look at Semester 1 classes, due to differences in the academic calendar.

Winter/Summer Intensive Spanish Language Courses:

Students desiring a short-term one month study abroad at PUCV may do so each May. In addition, students desiring preliminary Spanish language and culture classes before beginning a regular semester of academic study may do so at PUCV for an additional cost in either January or July.

Internships

 

A limited number of part-time and full-time internships are available in conjunction with the study abroad experience. Opportunities include working in companies or organizations of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, as well as with the Chilean National Congress. Students must have a good command of the Spanish language.

Cost

 

Students pay Millersville University tuition and fees. There is an additional non-refundable, non-transferable $400 MU program participation fee paid directly to Millersville. The program participation fee is due approximately one month after program acceptance. Room and board are separate and are a student's individual financial responsibility.

Financial Assistance

 

Students should investigate loans which may be available, such as application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarships have individual regulations, and students should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if their scholarship is transferable. Students can look into grants such as the Rotary Scholarships which cover all expenses, including room, board, tuition, and airfare. This scholarship form must be completed one to one-and-one-half years in advance and is available from any Rotary Club. Another option is to research online or stop by our office for additional opportunities. Please see Financial Considerations for more information.

Dates

 

Students may choose to study abroad either for a semester or for a full academic year. The academic year begins in March and ends in December of the same year. The first semester starts in late July and ends in the third week of December. Before classes begin, study abroad participants will have a one week orientation program in country.

Accommodation

 

Homestay accommodations are arranged by PUCV and are the norm. Alternative housing can be arranged when necessary; however, it is not directly affiliated with the program. Therefore, Millersville University will assume no responsibility for alternate arrangements.

Eligibility

 

Most students who study abroad are traditionally juniors. However, students can and do study abroad anytime after they have completed 24 credits. Students should complete an application to study abroad one semester before wishing to go abroad. Please stop by the Office of Global Education & Partnerships to pick up an application and ask about deadlines. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA, demonstration of at least 202 level Spanish proficiency, an official transcript and two letters of recommendation from professors from your home university are also required. The Director of Global Education & Partnerships will then interview students and a selection will be made shortly after the interviews are completed.

Transfer of Credit

 

Students should work with their advisors to select courses which will fit into their major(s), minor(s), and General Education requirements, if appropriate.

A Request for Study Abroad Resident Credits form, available in the Office of Global Education & Partnerships, must be completed before the student leaves. After the study abroad program is completed and a transcript is sent to Millersville University, the Registrar's Office determines the final transfer of credit. All courses taken at PUCV will come back to Millersville as transfer credit. Please consult the Undergraduate Catalog ("Transfer Credit") for the transfer policy.

To Apply

 

Applications for this program are available in the Office of Global Education & Partnerships, Cumberland House. For spring semester study, applications are due by mid September and for fall semester or year-long study, applications are due by mid February.