MBA in Computer Science

Leading sustainable organizational change through technological innovation and implementation

Flexible coursework with a blend of in-person and online learning

24-month program to fast-track your career in technology

New program launching 2025

A Flexible, Innovative MBA in Computer Science

Are you ready to redefine what’s possible in technology and business? The MBA in computer science at Viterbo University is the place to launch a career that merges cutting-edge tech expertise with strategic business insight. Our accelerated STEM MBA was designed for bold thinkers who want to lead tech-driven companies, drive digital transformation, and transform industries.

With this program, you’ll:

Master the fusion of technology and business strategy
Gain hands-on experience solving real-world challenges
Position yourself as a leader in high-demand business and technology careers

Whether you aim to lead in the private sector, startups, or public organizations, our MBA in computer science program positions you to make impactful changes through sustainable and technological innovations.

Highlights of the MBA in Computer Science

Our cutting-edge MBA in computer science blends software development, data analytics, and strategic leadership, making it a unique offering in the Midwest. Other benefits of our MBA in computer science include:

Real-world relevance: Engage in hands-on projects like business intelligence analysis, web development, and Lean Six Sigma certification. These experiences prepare you to address real-world challenges, from optimizing operations to driving technological transformation.
Global opportunities: The STEM MBA designation offers international students the advantage of extended Optional Practical Training (OPT), supporting career opportunities in the U.S.
Flexible learning formats: Designed for working professionals, the 42-credit curriculum combines hybrid, in-person, and online courses to fit diverse schedules.
Expert faculty and personalized support: Benefit from dual advisors—one from business and one from computer science—ensuring tailored guidance and career development. Our faculty’s academic expertise and industry experience foster a rich, practical learning environment.

What Can You Do With an MBA in Computer Science?

Whether you’re dreaming of a top role in tech or a leadership position in industry, Viterbo’s MBA for technology professionals opens doors to diverse opportunities:

Computer and information research scientist
Computer and information systems manager
Computer network architect
Computer systems analyst
Database administrator
Information security analyst
Marketing manager
Product manager
Software developer

With your computer science business degree, you’ll be prepared to lead in tech-forward industries, making you indispensable in a rapidly evolving job market.

Courses for the MBA in Computer Science

Our MBA in computer science curriculum is meticulously crafted to address the evolving demands of business and technology careers. Key courses include:

Business intelligence: Analyze data for making strategic business decisions.
Business strategies for sustainable enterprise: Prepare organizations through sustainable environmental, economic, and social strategic change.
Embedded systems: Learn about the interaction of computer systems and how to interface.
Lean Six Sigma certification: Earn your white belt certification.
Optimization and simulation: Apply modeling to business problems to recommend solutions.
Web development: Gain experience with front-end and back-end development.

Related Programs at Viterbo University

In addition to our MBA in computer science, we offer these graduate business programs.

Psychology

Prepare for a rewarding career helping others in your community.

Internships and research opportunities

Bachelor's to master's program

Hands-on learning in our interview labs

Explore the Science of Human Behavior With a Minor or BS Degree in Psychology

If you are interested in the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes, a psychology major or minor may be for you. In a psychology degree program, you will explore:

Emotions
Human development
Memory
Mental health
Social influences on behavior
The brain

At Viterbo University, you will gain strong communication, critical thinking, data visualization, and research skills, preparing you for graduate school or diverse careers.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Our psychology majors pursue their unique interests and learn from faculty with fascinating research interests like:

Belonging
Conspiracy theories
Mental health counselor training

Upon completing your BS degree in psychology, you can enroll in an advanced degree program or pursue any number of careers. The critical thinking skills and insights into human behavior you gain in our psychology degree program can be applied to many fields.

Psychology Minor

A minor in psychology allows you to supplement your major with valuable insights into the human mind. This minor would benefit business, criminal justice, education, and nursing students, among others.

Psychology Major Highlights

When you choose Viterbo for your Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, you will learn from experienced faculty members, receive experiential training in the classroom and through internships, and strengthen your interviewing and counseling skills.

Campus facilities. Psychology majors have access to our digital video laboratory facilities, allowing you to participate in interviewing and mock counseling, enhancing your communication and interpersonal skills. The labs are near faculty offices and classrooms, making it easy to stay connected to the psychology department.
Expert faculty. Our faculty are leaders in their fields, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the psychology degree program. With small class sizes and one-on-one mentoring, you will have the opportunity to form a close working relationship with your instructors, with the option to collaborate on independent research projects.
Hands-on learning. The psychology major includes an internship or advanced research project, which offers valuable real-world experience, preparing you for employment or continued education after graduation. Internships are offered through local service agencies.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree?

Earning your BS degree in psychology opens doors to many opportunities. Many students pursue careers in counseling and work with children, adolescents, or adults with mental health and substance abuse issues. Others pursue psychological research and work at universities or private research organizations. You can also use your background in psychology as a pathway into the business world or nonprofit agencies.

Our alumni have gone on to work as:

Behavioral specialists
Psychometrists
Substance abuse counselors (when they complete our minor)

We also prepare you to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, with many of our psychology majors advancing to graduate school.

Financial Aid for Psychology Degree Programs

We are committed to providing an affordable private education to all. Viterbo offers many scholarships for all students, and psychology majors may qualify for national scholarships offered by organizations like the Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship and the Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship.

My favorite thing about being a student at Viterbo is my ability to grow in any direction. At Viterbo, there have been endless opportunities for me and countless resources and faculty to help me along the way. I enjoy the sense of community and relationships I have gained throughout my time here.”

—Ahna Henrickson

Examples of Psychology Degree Program Courses

We offer classes in key areas of contemporary psychology, including:

Behavioral neuroscience
Clinical and counseling psychology
Developmental psychology
Social psychology

As a psychology major you will also complete two research courses in which you can explore an area of interest and present a poster on your findings. Unique to our psychology degree program, we also require an interview course that prepares you for graduate school and many careers.

Related Programs at Viterbo University

You can also explore human behavior in programs like:

Our Stories

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MSMHC)

Preparing professional counselors to provide treatment for individuals experiencing a continuum of mental health issues.

Licensure rate for graduates who met the requirements for post-graduate supervised practice

Seven-semester accelerated path program

10-month traditional path program

Chart Your Career Path With Your Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Degree

Viterbo University’s Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MSMHC) degree program educates counselors who will integrate the values of contemplation, integrity, hospitality, stewardship, and service into their personal and professional lives.

Our curriculum exceeds national and state standards by requiring core coursework in:

Addiction counseling
Psychopharmacology
Family counseling
Trauma and crisis counseling, with an emphasis on ethical professional practice.

The program also provides training emphasis on psychodiagnostics, psychometrics, and psychopharmaceutical knowledge and clinical skill sets applicable across patients’ life span.

Internships in a clinical setting are designed to guide you toward independent work with clients while under the full supervision of a site supervisor. You will complete 600 hours of internship placement, 240 hours of which includes direct client contact.

Students in Viterbo’s MSCMHC program have opportunities to learn through a variety of teaching methodologies, including

Class discussions
Role-playing
Small group work
Case-study analyses
Classroom simulations
Experiential activities
Reflective and academic writing

A Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certificate is also available. This program is designed to meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requirements for mental health counselors.

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program Details

Program format and class structure
Weekday classes meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from either 2 p.m.–5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Weekday classes meet once per week across the full semester.

Weekend intensive classes meet a total of three weekends—Fridays from 5 p.m.–10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

The program cannot be completed by taking only weekend intensives or only weekday classes.

Electives and focus area
Students must take two electives, allowing you to focus on an area of interest.

Average time to complete your degree
Accelerated path: seven semesters (year-round, taking a minimum of nine credits each semester)

Traditional path: 10 semesters (year-round, taking a minimum of six credits each semester)

Prerequisite
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree.

National counseling honor society
Students who have completed at least one semester of coursework with a GPA of 3.5 or above will be invited to join Viterbo’s chapter of the national counseling honor society, Chi Sigma Iota. Throughout the year, CSI hosts events that foster networking connections, enhanced learning, and volunteer-related opportunities.

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program Accreditation and Licensing Requirements

Our MSCMHC degree is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Our program is designed to meet state requirements for licensure as mental health counselors in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. You will be prepared for a career as a licensed clinical professional counselor (LPC/LPCC/LMHC).

Key content areas include:

Professional identity
Social and cultural diversity
Human growth and development
Helping relationships
Career development
Group work
Assessment
Diagnosis
Research
Program evaluation
Evidence-based counseling, prevention, and intervention skills

Within the curriculum, you will select two electives, allowing you to accentuate your counseling skills in a selected area, choosing from:

Child and adolescent play therapy
Family counseling
Integrative health counseling
Addiction counseling

Those interested in also becoming a certified substance abuse counselor (SAC) may select the addiction counseling electives and one additional course (psychopharmacology) to meet state certification requirements.

Many of our graduates pursue clinical counseling positions in hospitals, state agencies, and private practices.

Examples of career paths for our degree graduates include:

Licensed professional counselor (LPC)
Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC)
Substance abuse counselor (SAC)

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program Advantages

Our MS program offers you several advantages, including:

Learn from expert faculty in small classes. Our current full-time faculty members are licensed professional counselors in the state of Wisconsin with extensive clinical experience. Two faculty members are registered play therapists in addition to being LPCs. Class sizes range from 10–20 students. However, all clinical courses (COUN 690 and COUN 695) are capped at six students, based on CACREP recommendations for student-to-faculty ratios.
Gain hands on experience in state-of-the-art learning facilities. Our counseling labs provide advanced learning opportunities that are essential to training our students. We offer play therapy training via our two play therapy labs.
Enjoy the educational benefits of our location. You will enjoy opportunities to pursue clinical internships with organizations and facilities in La Crosse (and Onalaska) as well as many surrounding smaller towns. Our strong regional reputation among counselors is enhanced through our numerous professional placements and successful graduates practicing in the region.
Benefit from successful student outcomes.
- Placement rates: The most recent job placement rate for graduates of the program seeking employment is 95%. Of these graduates, 75% obtained employment before graduation or within one month of graduation.
- Licensure Rates: 95% of program graduates who have met the requirements for postgraduate supervised practice and sought licensure are licensed.
- Results on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination: The program requires students to complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) published by the Center for Credentialing and Education, a corporate affiliate of the National Board of Certified Counselors. In the most recent year, the Viterbo student mean exceeded the national mean on the CPCE in 87% of the knowledge areas.
- 100% of graduates who met the requirements for postgraduate supervised practice successfully obtained licensure.

Coursework and Curriculum

Students engage in a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. Examples include:

A cultural immersion experience in COUN 520 that encourages in vivo perspective-taking and reflection on the experiences of marginalization
Completing action research with human subjects in COUN 660
Engaging in mock counseling sessions to develop individual and group counseling skills in COUN 675 and COUN 680
One practicum and two internships: these courses help you begin the process of accruing hours for professional licensure

Our most recently developed elective is a course on experiential and expressive techniques in counseling. This course covers a wide variety of expressive mediums and modalities that can be utilized across cultures as well as across the lifespan.

View Full Course Descriptions

Related Programs

Not the right programs for you? Viterbo also offers:

Our Stories

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Post-Graduate Certificate

Expand your knowledge and career opportunities with your doctorate in nursing or post-graduate certificate.

Advance Your Nursing Career at Viterbo University

Viterbo University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and Post-Graduate Certificate program prepare nursing leaders who are dedicated to improving the health outcomes of diverse populations through advanced knowledge and skills.

Our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificate and DNP program serves Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, Northeastern Iowa, and beyond. We prepare you to:

Practice in an expanded, specialized, and/or advanced practice role
Affirm the dignity of life and human diversity
Advocate for quality outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and systems
Demonstrate ethical leadership and faithful service in your chosen role and setting
Facilitate the translation of research and evidence into practice
Utilize information and health care technology to impact best practice
Pass certification exams: 100% of our NP/DNP track students have passed their national certification exams

The curriculum of our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificate and DNP programs was developed to meet the needs of advanced nursing professionals. Core competencies include:

Informatics and health care technologies
Quality improvement and safety
Organizational and systems leadership
Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient/population outcomes
Advocacy
Advanced scientific and humanities-based background for practice

Our graduate nursing program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Highlights of Our Graduate Certificate and DNP Programs

We created our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificates and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in Wisconsin with working professionals and commuter students in mind. Classes are delivered in a hybrid online/on-campus method to help you navigate your personal, professional, and educational life. Plans of study and in-person class dates are scheduled to optimize your days on campus.

Other benefits of our DNP and post-graduate certificates include:

Facilities. The nursing building contains friendly, learner-centered spaces, including a dedicated graduate resource room. Students in our graduate certificate and DNP programs in Wisconsin can utilize our Simulation Learning Center, a state-of-the-art facility where you will have access to the technology and equipment you need to improve your clinical skills.
Faculty. Our approachable, student-centered faculty are well prepared in their respective nursing and teaching roles. Many are practicing nurse practitioners who are engaged in research, clinical practice, and national conferences. Clinical expertise includes primary care, occupational health, specialty practice, and acute care. They are dedicated to helping you succeed.
Personal attention. You will be assigned an academic advisor who will help you register for courses and provide guidance throughout the program. Because we offer small classes, you will form close relationships with your faculty and peers, some of which may last beyond graduate school.

Nurse Practitioner Clinical Education Proram

We are among a small number of select regional nurse practitioner academic programs collaborating with Mayo Clinic to increase the number of nurse practitioner students and develop common clinical education curriculum and timelines.

If you are selected to participate in this prestigious program, you will be guaranteed placement for all required clinical rotations at Mayo Midwest sites.

DNP and Certification Programs

We have several programs to help you become a leader in an advanced practice role or help you specialize. These include:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice is designed to be relevant and responsive to the needs of practicing professional nurses who wish to formally advance their knowledge and skills and seek an advanced nursing role. The curriculum is based upon AACN recommendations and includes increased knowledge in:

Informatics and health care technologies
Quality improvement and safety
Organizational and systems leadership
Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient/population outcomes
Advocacy
An advanced scientific and humanities-based background for practice

MBA/DNP Dual Degree

If you already hold a BSN or MSN degree, our MBA/DNP dual degree prepares you for leadership roles, to educate future nurses, and to influence systems of care. This integrated dual degree program provides registered nurses a direct path to their career goals with critical business and management skills needed for successful health care leaders. Save time and money with this integrated program.

CRNA/DNP

Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate

If you are a post-master’s or DNP accredited primary care nurse practitioner with a family or adult-gerontology population focus, the Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate is built for you.

The eight-course (21 credit hours) program is spread across five semesters and includes two semesters of didactic coursework and three semesters (540 hours) of clinical experiences. Clinical opportunities may be available in your region. The program is financial-aid (student-loan) eligible, with competitive scholarships available for post-graduate certificate students. The application is available after the first semester.

Other program options

Other post-bachelor’s and post-master’s options include:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
Family Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
Ethical Leadership (Leadership)
Post-APRN to DNP (Leadership)

Upon completion, you will be eligible to apply for either the AANP, ANCC , or AACN certification exams.

For students who already hold an MSN, the post-master’s DNP offers the flexibility of a slower pace, if that better supports balance in your life.

DNP and Certification Program Prerequisites

For those with a BSN applying to the DNP program, you need:

At least a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school
A GPA of 3.0 or higher
Two years of nursing experience at the time you would start the program

The Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate requires an MSN and experience working as a nurse practitioner in primary care adult gerontology or family practice.

What Can You Do With a DNP or Post-Graduate Certificate?

Having a DNP allows individuals to expand their nursing career to become an advanced practice nurse (e.g., nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist), obtaining leadership roles (e.g., nurse manager, nurse administrator, health care executive, or chief nursing officer), to academia (e.g., teaching undergraduate/graduate level nursing programs). All DNP graduates can be leaders within their organizations and communities through policy and advocacy and engaging in quality improvement and research to impact patient and population healthcare outcomes.

For those in a nurse practitioner (NP) track, you could work as an NP. Our NP tracks prepare individuals to work as family nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (either initial preparation or through our post-graduate certificate program).

For nurse practitioners and certified nurse anesthetists, salary and job outlook varies based on location, title, and specialization, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an annual average salary of $129,480 per year with a 40% job growth (much faster than the average).

Regardless of program track, our DNP and certification graduates go on to work at:

Gundersen Health System
Mayo Clinic/Mayo Clinic Health Systems
Vernon Memorial
Tomah Health
Other health care organizations across the country

The job placement rate for our graduate nursing program alumni is 100%.

DNP and Certification Financial Aid

Students are eligible for Federal Financial Aid, and we encourage you to seek external funding through employer tuition reimbursement, community and professional organization scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs. Scholarships offered to graduate nursing students include:

Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate scholarship (a limited number remain)
Beres Family Nurse Practitioner Scholarship
Sister Grace Clare Benzouz Endowed Scholarship
Bonnie Nesbitt Scholarship

Funding may also be available for those interested in becoming a nurse educator in Wisconsin through the Wisconsin Nurse Educator program.

Popular DNP and Certification Experiences

Our post-master’s/post-graduate certificates and DNP programs offer you experiential learning opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills. Program highlights include:

Nursing Research on the Green: During the spring semester DNP scholarly projects are showcased at the Nursing Research on the Green day. All DNP students can both present and see the research of their peers. Many students have also published their DNP work following completion of the project.
Medical mission trip to Guatemala

Related Programs at Viterbo University

Viterbo offers a number of other programs that may appeal to RNs looking to advance their career. These include:

Master of Science in School Counseling (MSSC)

Prepare for an in-demand career as a school counselor with the interpersonal skills and cultural competence you will need.

Complete in 7–9 semesters on average

Financial aid eligible

60 credit hours

Empower the Next Generation With a Master of Science in School Counseling

Are you passionate about the well-being of school-aged children?

School counselors play a crucial role in helping students navigate challenges and reach their full potential. Viterbo University’s 60-credit-hour Master of Science in School Counseling degree prepares you to provide academic, career, social, and emotional support for K–12 students in the classroom, in small groups, and in individual services.

Our direct-entry program meets state requirements for licensure as a school counselor in Wisconsin and has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Our school counselor degree program also aligns with the American School Counseling Association’s educational guidelines.

Full- and part-time options are available. Depending on the course load you choose, the master’s in school counseling degree can be completed in approximately 2.5 to 3 years.

A School Counseling Certificate is also available. This program is designed to meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requirements for school counselors.

Master of Science in School Counseling Degree Highlights

At Viterbo, we are committed to your success. A program faculty advisor is assigned to work with you throughout the program, and we offer professional development throughout the academic year, including day-long conferences and workshops. Student organizations provide social activities, philanthropic opportunities, and community-based advocacy.

Additional school counselor degree highlights include:

Hands-on learning. Experiential learning allows you to develop the skills necessary to work with K–12 students. Counseling skills labs are an essential part of the learning experience.
Real experiences. Course highlights include working with students in schools during your practicum and internship and creating projects targeted at counseling interventions.
Faculty. Our fully licensed, clinically experienced faculty are professionally active and engaged—many have specialty certifications in play therapy, for example.
Learning environment. Our supportive, caring learning environment is supported by small class sizes that allow you to form professional relationships with faculty and peers.

Master of Science in School Counseling Degree Career Outlook

Viterbo’s master’s in school counseling leads to licensure and allows you to work as a K–12 school counselor in Wisconsin.
The state is currently experiencing a shortage of school counselors, and many of our students are offered positions within schools prior to graduation. Depending on the school district, salaries range from $40,000 to $81,000 per year. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects careers in this field to increase 5%, which is faster than average.

Financial Aid for the Master of Science in School Counseling Degree

You will be eligible for federal financial aid as a graduate student. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you are eligible for. Email our graduate financial aid counselor or call 608-796-3900 with any questions.

Master of Science in School Counseling Courses

Our school counselor degree curriculum focuses on professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, and evidence-based counseling, prevention, and intervention skills. You will gain the knowledge, skills, and professional disposition necessary to become an effective K–12 school counselor.

Master’s in school counseling degree courses provide experiential learning opportunities like:

Skills labs: Many courses use the skills labs to record and observe practice sessions. Faculty provide supervision and feedback to ensure growth and development.
Role plays: You will engage in counseling role plays with your peers throughout the program to learn skills and develop rapport.
Group counseling class: Weekly mock group counseling sessions teach the basics of group counseling skills and knowledge.
Practicum: In your first field-based experiential course, you will be placed in a K–12 school and work with students under the direction of a licensed school counselor. The course is completed over a semester and involves at least 100 hours of contact work.
Internship in elementary school counseling: Work with elementary students under the direction of a licensed school counselor for a total of 300 hours.
Internship in secondary school counseling: Work within a high school setting with students under the direction of a licensed school counselor for a total of 300 hours.

Weekday classes take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Weekday classes meet once per week across the full semester. Weekend intensive classes meet a total of three weekends—Fridays from 5 p.m.–10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

View Full Course Descriptions

Related Programs at Viterbo University

You may also be interested in these other counselor education graduate programs.

Ethics, Culture, and Society

Champion your future with an emphasis on ethics and culture through a highly customizable interdisciplinary program.

Customize your degree track

Internship, research, and study abroad opportunities

Eight minors

Put Your Passion to Work With Your Bachelor of Science Degree in Ethics, Culture, and Society

In our ethics, culture, and society program, you have the freedom to chart your own course of study as you participate in:

Service learning
Internships
Research
Study abroad
Cultural immersion experiences

What can you do with a BS in ethics, culture, and society?

Our program’s focus on critical thinking, communication skills, and concern for collaborative, real-world problem-solving will help you solve the increasingly complicated challenges of the global society we live in.

Through interdisciplinary studies, you will develop a robust package of transferable skills that employers in a variety of fields express interest in when seeking new employees. These skills can be applied in careers in:

Law
Public relations
Writing
Human resources
Media

Explore Viterbo’s Interdisciplinary Programs in Ethics, Culture, and Society

Ethics, Culture, and Society (BS)

Viterbo’s interdisciplinary program combines courses from at least two academic disciplines, including history, philosophy, and art. Our program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and community engagement.

Personal choice will drive your pathway, with interdisciplinary studies focused on perspectives and creativity applied to real-world issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. Course-embedded assignments are connected to the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethical Leadership series of speakers and annual conference.

Art Emphasis

Art is a timeless means of communicating human experiences. Artistic, creative abilities help move our civilization forward.

When you choose the art emphasis at Viterbo, you will learn what it means to recognize and create sound works of art and to understand the art forms of cultures throughout history.

You will be provided with meaningful study and practice in artistic methods, techniques, and media, embedded with intellectual inquiry and critical analysis. Explore questions such as:

How do I generate ideas and discern their strength?
How do I turn my ideas into strong, original art forms?
How do I craft them with my hands?
How might I use art and my creative abilities to serve my community?

The art emphasis consists of courses in studio art and art history. Studio courses are offered in:

Painting
Drawing
Sculpture
Ceramics
Printmaking
Photography
Graphic design

History Emphasis

Our history emphasis will prepare you with a wealth of knowledge—both past and present—and encourage curiosity and mindfulness of the events that have shaped civilization around the world.

You will learn to connect ideas across cultures, which will serve you well in your education and career. Studying history grants you a unique opportunity to supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world.

Philosophy Emphasis

Philosophy is being recognized more and more as one of the strongest and most versatile fields of study. In fact, we live in an age where employers want employees to be more than just knowledgeable in their chosen field; employers want critical thinkers, clear communicators, and ethical decision-makers. These skills are central to the study of philosophy. This emphasis is a great supplement for those going into the business world, law, or public policy.

Pre-Law Track

Students interested in a law career are individually counseled by the pre-law advisor, who suggests a program of study and provides information on law school application. Keep in mind that maintenance of a relatively high undergraduate grade point average is very important for successful law school admission. Recommended undergraduate fields of study include:

Accounting
Criminal justice
English
Management
Psychology
Ethics, culture, and society

Legal Studies Minor

In our legal studies minor, you will explore legal issues in a variety of ways.

This minor is perfect if you want to apply to law school upon graduation and wish to gain an intellectual base in legal studies at the undergraduate level. Legal studies is also relevant if you have an interest in the law and pursue the minor in order to complement your major—generally one in the humanities.

The minor includes courses in business law, philosophy, and criminal justice courses and consists of 18 credit hours.

Art Minor

The art minor consists of an 18-credit sequence of courses in studio art and art history. You will take two foundations courses, one course in art history, and nine credits in studio electives. Studio courses are offered in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design.

Philosophy Minor

Gain the critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making skills that employers seek. The ethics, culture, and society philosophy minor generally requires 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Ethics Minor

The minor in ethics recognizes both the interdisciplinary nature of many moral problems as well as the value of ethical reasoning and ethical theory.

Employers state that moral decision-making is one of the most important skills they seek, yet this area is rarely recognized as a specific area of competency.

Given the importance of ethics and moral reasoning for students’ own personal development, as well as its value for recognizing and resolving moral problems both in and out of the workplace, having a minor in ethics is a great way to prepare to deal with the complexity of the real world.

Political Science Minor

Our political science minor deepens your knowledge on how governments, institutions, public policy, and political behavior work in the modern world. This minor is perfect if you plan to enter a career in government service, public policy, journalism, or a related profession. Political science can also help you prepare for law school and other graduate programs.

History Minor

Supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world. The history minor generally requires between 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Servant Leadership Minor

Develop and deepen your vocation to engage in competent, creative, and faithful leadership that works for the common good. Choose the servant leadership minor if you plan on serving as a leader in ministry, nonprofit organizations, or business. Completing a total of 15 credits in the minor is required.

Latin American and Latino/a Studies Minor

The Spanish language is ever-growing in popularity, and now almost 15% of Americans speak it.

Having an enriched knowledge of Latin culture and the Spanish language is a valuable trait in modern America. The Latin American and Latino/a studies minor can help you enrich a skill set that is valuable in:

Health care
Education
Business
Social work
Communication fields

This minor also promotes two significant outcomes:

Raise awareness of social justice issues related to Latin American populations and Latinos in the United States
Encourage local, national, and international engagement and advocacy toward social justice issues in Latin America and Latinos in the United States

Experiential Learning and Study Abroad in Ethics, Culture, and Society

Viterbo’s ethics, culture, and society program is led by senior faculty with a strong and diverse record of research, publications, grants, and study abroad experience.

Professor Matthew Bersagel-Braley was a contributing author to the Wabash Center’s project on Teaching for Social Justice and Civic Engagement. Professor Bersagel-Braley also leads the study abroad trip to South Africa.

Other faculty involved in study abroad opportunities include Jesus Jambrina, who co-led a trip to Spain and Portugal, and Keith Knutson, who has been involved with student exchanges in Luxembourg.

Our ethics, culture, and society program has also developed a relationship with the Washington Community Scholars’ Center in Washington, D.C., through a partnership with Eastern Mennonite University.

Viterbo is piloting a work-based learning opportunity to put students in touch with organizations doing work that might coincide with their studies and interests. For example, ethics, culture, and society student David Novak is working with Encampment for Citizenship, a nonprofit based in California. David is interested in restorative justice and has been working with the organization on related themes, as well as researching potential funding sources that may be present in the Midwest.

Through classes like VUSM 300: Philosophy for Children, ECAS students have the opportunity to develop critical thinking and communication skills while fostering respectful dialogue on important social issues. Guided by faculty member Jason Howard, students have led thoughtful discussions on complex topics like gun control, social media, and cloning at local schools.

I knew I wanted to stay at Viterbo because I love it here. I really like the small campus, the friends and connections I've made, and how everyone is made to feel welcome. So, I looked for a major that best fit my career path."

—Stephanie Sesvold ’22, ECAS major

Ethics, Culture, and Society Interdisciplinary Studies Course Highlights

ECAS 100 – Truth, Beauty, and Goodness: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

With a focus on collaborative, interdisciplinary problem-solving for the common good, this course uses a case study approach to explore historical and contemporary social issues. Rooted in a commitment to “scholarship for social change,” you will learn how to make use of perspectives from history, philosophy, art, and other disciplines in order to creatively engage with complex, often contentious issues in an imperfect world.

ECAS 305 – Resistance and Reconciliation in South Africa

South Africa stands as a witness to the power of social movements to not only imagine but also bring into being a more just and compassionate world. Learn how South Africans draw on religion, music, and global justice movements to resist and rise from the violence of Apartheid, the AIDS and COVID epidemics, climate change, and persistent economic inequities.

ECAS 310 – Applied Collaborative Problem-Solving

This course includes team-based transdisciplinary problem-solving addressing current issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. The community issue addressed will change from year to year, in connection with the theme of the D.B. Reinhart Ethics Institute Conference and/or in response to emerging community needs and current events. You will apply knowledge from studies in your two declared disciplines to the problem.

ECAS 311 – Applied Collaborative Problem-Solving: Philosophical Considerations

This course focuses on team-based transdisciplinary problem-solving addressing a variety of issues, from those in the local community to national and global challenges. The course seeks to address the many stakeholders, assumptions, and values that shape how we evaluate and resolve disagreements, showing students the positive value philosophy brings in supporting transdisciplinary problem-solving. The community issues addressed will change from year to year, in connection with the theme of the D.B. Reinhart Ethics Institute Conference and/or in response to emerging community needs and current events. You will apply knowledge from studies in your two declared disciplines to the problem.

ECAS-400 Ethics, Culture, and Society Capstone

Develop an interdisciplinary capstone proposal, research, project, and presentation over the course of two semesters with faculty mentoring and guidance. Our unique, student-driven capstone project allows seniors to conceive and implement an interdisciplinary project of their own design that connects to the local community. For one example, Stephanie Sesvold (’22) completed a capstone in the form of a podcast on women in labor unions, based on her semester of study in Washington, D.C., where she interviewed women in local unions.

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