diff --git a/courses/forms.py b/courses/forms.py
index 74583d9eeb..5c82538f2d 100644
--- a/courses/forms.py
+++ b/courses/forms.py
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ def program_requirements_schema():
                                 "format": "number",
                                 "title": "Value",
                                 "default": 1,
+                                "minimum": 1,
                                 "options": {
                                     "dependencies": {
                                         "node_type": ProgramRequirementNodeType.OPERATOR.value,
@@ -269,7 +270,7 @@ def clean(self):  # noqa: C901
         def _validate_elective_value_presence(operator):
             """
             Verifies that a Program's elective operator contains
-            a defined Value field.
+            a defined Value field that is not negative.
 
             Args:
                 operator (dict):
@@ -286,6 +287,7 @@ def _validate_elective_value_presence(operator):
                 }
             ValidationError: operator_value does not exist.
             ValidationError: operator_value does exist but is empty.
+            ValidationError: operator_value is negative.
             """
             if (
                 operator["data"]["operator"]
@@ -300,6 +302,17 @@ def _validate_elective_value_presence(operator):
                     raise ValidationError(
                         '"Minimum # of" operator must have Value equal to 1 or more.'  # noqa: EM101
                     )
+                # Ensure the value is not negative
+                try:
+                    value = int(operator["data"]["operator_value"])
+                    if value < 1:
+                        raise ValidationError(
+                            '"Minimum # of" operator must have Value equal to 1 or more.'  # noqa: EM101
+                        )
+                except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                    raise ValidationError(
+                        '"Minimum # of" operator must have a valid numeric Value equal to 1 or more.'  # noqa: EM101
+                    ) from None
 
         def _validate_operator_title(operator):
             """Ensure Title is defined for every operator.
@@ -363,7 +376,7 @@ def _validate_elective_value_and_child_courses(
                         if child["data"]["node_type"] == "operator":
                             _validate_operator_title(child)
                             if (
-                                operator["data"]["operator"]
+                                child["data"]["operator"]
                                 == ProgramRequirement.Operator.MIN_NUMBER_OF.value
                             ):
                                 _validate_elective_value_presence(child)
diff --git a/courses/models.py b/courses/models.py
index ea099e99b5..362518d119 100644
--- a/courses/models.py
+++ b/courses/models.py
@@ -2279,6 +2279,26 @@ def is_operator(self):
         """True if the node is an operator"""
         return self.node_type == ProgramRequirementNodeType.OPERATOR
 
+    def clean(self):
+        """Validate the program requirement fields"""
+        super().clean()
+
+        # Validate operator_value for MIN_NUMBER_OF operators
+        if (
+            self.operator == self.Operator.MIN_NUMBER_OF
+            and self.operator_value is not None
+        ):
+            try:
+                value = int(self.operator_value)
+                if value < 1:
+                    raise ValidationError(
+                        {"operator_value": "Minimum # of value must be 1 or greater."}
+                    )
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                raise ValidationError(
+                    {"operator_value": "Minimum # of value must be a valid number."}
+                ) from None
+
     @property
     def is_course(self):
         """True if the node references a course"""