Application for Admission
Admission standards are established for each master’s degree program at Ball State University by the responsible academic unit. All application materials, including a completed application form and unofficial transcripts, must be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks before the term in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. Departments may have earlier deadlines. Students may apply for admission to graduate study online at https://www.bsu.edu/gradapply. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements and deadlines. Students must meet the following minimum Graduate School criteria to be considered for admission to graduate study toward a master’s degree:
1. A baccalaureate degree from Ball State University or an equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution recognized by Ball State University is a prerequisite for admission to graduate study for a master’s degree. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree not considered the equivalent of that of Ball State University may be considered for probationary admission to a master’s program.
2. 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.
3. Meet departmental or program admission requirements.
4. Departments may recommend to the graduate dean that students with a latter half undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 be granted regular admission to their program.
5. Students with 9 credits or more of graduate coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or students with a conferred graduate degree may be granted regular admission to their program.
An applicant who meets minimum Graduate School admissions standards is not guaranteed admission to a specific degree program. Specific programs may have higher GPA requirements than the Graduate School minimums. The faculty of the various graduate programs make recommendations for admission to the dean of the Graduate School. Offers of admission are not official until approved by the dean of the Graduate School. Official admissions decisions are communicated to applicants by email from the dean of the Graduate School.
Transcripts
Master’s programs have two options for collecting applicant transcripts, and they will communicate transcript requirements on their website and/or handbook:
Option 1, Transcripts Showing Complete Academic Record: At the time of application, students must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. Students who are recommended for admission by their program will be admitted conditionally by the graduate dean and allowed to enroll in courses for one term. The student must submit an official transcript from the highest earned degree within the first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.
Option 2, Transcript From Highest Earned Degree: At the time of application, students must submit an unofficial transcript from the highest earned degree. Students who are recommended for admission by their program will be admitted conditionally by the graduate dean and allowed to enroll in courses for one term. The student must submit an official transcript from the highest earned degree within the first semester of enrollment to continue in the program. Programs choosing option 2 may request additional unofficial transcripts from specific applicants when needed to confirm if applicants have taken required pre-requisite courses or have met minimum admissions criteria. In these cases, programs will require applicants to upload transcripts into the application portal.
Students who are admitted conditionally with unofficial transcripts will have a hold placed on their transcript release and on course registration for the following term until the required final official transcript is received and reviewed for eligibility. A student will not be officially admitted until the required final official transcript is received.
Students wishing to transfer graduate credit from another college or university also need to submit an official transcript from that institution.
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. Applicants who have earned credits and degrees from institutions outside the United States may have different transcript submission procedures, as well as earlier deadlines, and they should contact International Admissions for specific information and requirements.
Standardized Tests
The Graduate School does not require programs to consider standardized test scores in admission. Programs have complete discretion concerning whether or not they require standardized test scores. You should refer to your program’s graduate program handbook for more information about the admissions requirements and process for the program(s) you are interested in.
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. It is your responsibility to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met. A prospective student should contact the department or consult the department’s website and/or handbook for specific program requirements.