General Information
Graduate Record Examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which consists of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections, is required for admission to a doctoral or specialist degree program. For non-native speakers of English, a different standardized test, recommended by the department head and approved by the graduate dean, may replace the GRE. Departments may also require GRE Advanced Subject Tests. The GRE is also required for a master’s degree applicant in any of the following categories:
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applicants whose undergraduate grade point averages (GPA) are below 2.75 on a 4.0 point scale;
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applicants whose undergraduate degrees are from institutions with nontraditional grading systems; if nontraditional grades were received in the major field of study and related subjects, students are urged to submit both aptitude and, if available, advanced test scores;
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applicants who expect to major in a department or enter a program that includes the GRE as a condition for admission.
Graduate Academic Course Load
Graduate students may register for a maximum of 15 credits in a semester, 6 credits in a five-week summer term, and 12 credits for the combined summer terms. Some departments may have lower maximums for graduate assistants. for the combined summer terms.
A full-time graduate student, as defined for the purpose of classification for financial aid or veterans’ benefits, is a student registered for 9 or more credits in any semester. A half-time load would consist of 5 to 6 credits. A full-time student, as defined by the Office of the Bursar and Loan Administration for billing purposes, is a student registered for a minimum of 12 credits.
All requests for overloads or exceptions to the established minimum course load must be accompanied by a written statement from the student’s advisor, committee chairperson, or department chairperson justifying the request based on academic considerations only. Requests will be acted on by the dean of the Graduate School.
Course Numbering
Undergraduate courses of similar content may not be repeated at the graduate level for credit. Courses numbered 500 and above are for graduate students; graduate-level “taught-with” courses—graduate courses that may be taken by undergraduates—are represented by 500-level numbers; 600-level numbers are used for graduate courses; and 700-level numbers are for doctoral courses. Enrollment in 700-level courses requires doctoral-level standing or permission from the department chairperson and the dean of the Graduate School.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that courses that are not available for variable credit are not repeated as they can apply only once to a degree or certificate.
Statement on Demonstrated Proficiency in English
Proficiency in the use of the English language is expected of all students who graduate with advanced degrees from Ball State University. Proficiency depends not so much on the ability to pass examinations—although the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or GRE may be required—as it does on the habitual use of acceptable English in spoken or written work. Each department will judge the qualifications of its advanced students in the use of English. Reports, examinations, and speech may be used in evaluating students’ proficiency. Students found deficient in English will be offered an opportunity to remedy the deficiency and will be encouraged to seek the assistance the university provides for this purpose.
Application for Graduation
Each graduate-degree-seeking student should file an application for graduation before the start of the semester in which the degree is to be granted. Check the Graduate School website for the deadline to apply for graduation.
Commencement Degrees
Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester. Formal public ceremonies are held at spring, summer, and fall commencements. All candidates are welcome to attend commencement exercises, where graduate degrees are conferred individually.