Admission as a Nondegree Student
Ball State University has three categories of nondegree admission:
- Admission as a Licensure Only Student
Admission can be granted to students working toward any of the following:
- License renewal or addition (post-bachelor’s)
- School services personnel and school administration
Licensure students must meet the following admission criteria:
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by its regional accrediting association.
- Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on credit hours earned from the degree-granting institution; a latter half undergraduate GPA of 3.0; or have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on 9 credits of graduate work; or hold a conferred graduate degree.
Licensures are classified as a non-degree program; please check with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to see if your program is aide eligible. Specific licensure programs may have higher GPA requirements than the Graduate School minimums. A prospective student should contact the department and Office of Teacher Education Services and Clinical Practice, or consult the academic department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements. Licensure students who later apply to a degree program must complete the regular admission procedure, must meet all entrance requirements of that program, and must have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in their nondegree coursework after completing 9 credits. Credits must have been completed within the six-year time limit allowed for completion of a master’s degree.
Transcripts
At the time of application, students must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. Once a student is recommended for acceptance into a licensure program, then they must submit one official transcript from all institutions from which the applicant had any degrees or certificates awarded. Students wishing to transfer graduate credit from another college or university also need to submit an official transcript from that institution. Final official transcripts must be received within the first semester of enrollment. An official transcript is one that has been received directly from the issuing institution, either by mail or electronically. It must bear that institution’s seal, the date, and an appropriate signature. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements will not be considered official and will be rejected for any permanent use. All transcripts become the property of Ball State University. Applicants who are currently attending, or who have previously attended, Ball State University are not required to provide a Ball State transcript. International students may have different transcript submission procedures than domestic students, and they should contact the International Admissions for specific information and requirements.
Other Documents
If the program(s) you are applying to require letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, a personal statement, or other documents, these can be submitted or requested through our online application process. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met.
Satisfactory Grade Point Average (GPA)
At any time after completion of 9 credits of graduate study, students must have and maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA.
2. Admission as a Certificate Student
Certificate nondegree students must meet the following admission criteria:
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by its regional accrediting association.
- Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on credit hours earned from the degree-granting institution; a latter half undergraduate GPA of 3.0; or have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on 9 credits of graduate work; or hold a conferred graduate degree.
Certificates are classified as a non-degree programs, please check with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to see if these programs are aide eligible. Specific programs may have higher GPA requirements than the Graduate School minimums. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements. Nondegree students who later apply to a degree program must complete the regular admission procedure, must meet all entrance requirements of that program, and must have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in their nondegree coursework after completing 9 credits. Credits must have been completed within the six-year time limit allowed for completion of a master’s degree.
Transcripts
At the time of application, students must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. Once a student is recommended for acceptance into a certificate program, then they must submit one official transcript from all institutions from which the applicant had any degrees or certificates awarded. Students wishing to transfer graduate credit from another college or university also need to submit an official transcript from that institution. Final official transcripts must be received within the first semester of enrollment. An official transcript is one that has been received directly from the issuing institution, either by mail or electronically. It must bear that institution’s seal, the date, and an appropriate signature. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements will not be considered official and will be rejected for any permanent use. All transcripts become the property of Ball State University. Applicants who are currently attending, or who have previously attended, Ball State University are not required to provide a Ball State transcript. International students may have different transcript submission procedures than domestic students, and they should contact International Admissions for specific information and requirements.
Other Documents
If the program(s) you are applying to require letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, a personal statement, or other documents, these can be submitted or requested through our online application process. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met.
Satisfactory Grade Point Average (GPA)
At any time after completion of 9 credits of graduate study, students must have and maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA.
3. Admission as a Non-degree Only Student
Ball State University recognizes the need of many persons to pursue educational programs that may be related to their employment or that will otherwise enrich their lives. For these reasons, students with baccalaureate or advanced degrees who do not have further degree objectives but desire personal and professional enrichment may be admitted to graduate study as non-degree students. This includes students who may wish to take credits from Ball State University to transfer into an existing degree program at another university in which they are already enrolled.
Non-degree students not applying for a licensure or certificate program must meet the following admission criteria:
1. Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by its regional accrediting association.
2. Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on credit hours earned from the degree-granting institution; have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on 9 credits of graduate work; or hold a conferred graduate degree.
Non-degree students (nonlicensure, noncertificate) are not eligible for financial aid. Non-degree students must acquire departmental permission for registration for any graduate course. Students who subsequently wish to be considered for admission to any graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program at Ball State University must complete the regular admission procedure, meet all requirements for their requested program, and have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in their nondegree coursework after completing 9 credits. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements. Credits must have been completed within the six-year time limit allowed for completion of a master’s degree.
Transcripts
At the time of application, students must submit one unofficial transcript from the institution(s) from which the student earned their bachelor’s degree(s) and from any institution in which the student is currently enrolled. Final official transcripts for the conferred undergraduate degree(s) must be received within the first semester of enrollment. A hold will be placed on the student transcript release and on course registration for the following term until the official transcript is received and reviewed for eligibility. An official transcript is one that has been received directly from the issuing institution, either by mail or electronically. It must bear that institution’s seal, the date, and an appropriate signature. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements will not be considered official and will be rejected for any permanent use. All transcripts become the property of Ball State University. Applicants who are currently attending, or who have previously attended, Ball State University are not required to provide a Ball State transcript.
Satisfactory Grade Point Average (GPA)
At any time after completion of 9 credits of graduate study, students must have and maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA.