Stage 1. Completion of the Master's Degree or Its Equivalent

Requires completion with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Ball State University or another university that is accredited by its regional accrediting agency. Students who have already completed a master’s degree equivalent to that awarded by the major department are considered to have completed the first stage of the doctoral program unless the department stipulates otherwise.

Each academic unit that is responsible for a doctoral program will have a procedure to evaluate a student’s progress during this stage. This evaluation will take place no later than the end of the second year to determine if the student is making satisfactory progress, and will be communicated in writing to the student. The evaluation is determined by the major department and could include, but is not limited to, an examination or other appropriate review that must be successfully completed before entering Stage 2.