Degrees
Bachelor's Degrees
Ball State University offers the following baccalaureate degrees: bachelor of arts, bachelor of architecture, bachelor of athletic training, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of general studies, bachelor of landscape architecture, bachelor of music, bachelor of science, bachelor of social work, and bachelor of urban planning and development.
The bachelor of landscape architecture is a five year degree and requires a total of 151 credits. The bachelor of architecture is a five year degree and requires a total of 154 credits.
The bachelor of arts, bachelor of athletic training, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of general studies, bachelor of music, bachelor of social work, bachelor of science, and bachelor of urban planning and development degrees are four year degrees (eight semesters) and require a minimum of 120 credits to complete.
For the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, some majors require more than 120 credits, and may require more than four years to complete. See individual departments for descriptions for specific majors.
The requirements for these degrees follow.
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
| This degree program requires two years (or the equivalent) of study in one foreign language or American Sign Language, normally courses through the full second year level. By taking a placement exam, students may be eligible to begin their studies at a level higher than the 101 level, depending on the program of study. |
| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| World language: One world language |
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| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study or Medallion Scholar |
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| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) |
| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in major area of study |
109 crs |
| This five-year degree requires a total of 154 credits. |
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| Bachelor of Athletic Training (BAT)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in major area of study |
73-75 crs |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study |
85 crs |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| One of the following concentrations: |
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| General Studies Concentration: |
| Concentration areas: A single area of emphasis of at least 36 credits approved by a department |
| or Two separate areas of emphasis of at least 18 credits each with each area approved by a department |
| or Two minors |
| or One minor and one 18 credit area of emphasis with the area of emphasis approved by a department |
| A total of 36 credits is required. |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Specialized Studies Concentration: |
| Concentration area: A single area of emphasis of at least 36 credits in a department, school, or center. Concentration must have approval of a department, school, or center, and the student’s transcript will contain a comment regarding the title of the concentration (upon completion). An application is required for this concentration. Students must obtain the approval of the area of emphasis before the completion of the last 30 credits. |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| The Bachelor of General Studies is not available to any student who has earned a bachelor’s degree. |
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| Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in major area of study |
121 crs |
| This five-year degree requires a total of 157 credits. |
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| Bachelor of Music (BM)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study |
90-94 crs |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of Science (BS)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study or Medallion Scholar |
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| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study |
69 crs |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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| Bachelor of Urban Planning and Development (BUPD)
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| University Core Curriculum: Courses in the University Core Curriculum |
36 crs |
| Concentration area: Courses in the major area of study |
82 crs |
| Electives: As many credits as needed to bring the total to 120 |
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Second Bachelor's Degree
Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree may earn a second one from Ball State. They must meet all of the requirements for the second degree, including at least 30 residence credits after completing the first degree.
If the first bachelor’s degree is from another accredited college or university, students must meet all requirements for the second degree. This includes all requirements for the Ball State University Core Curriculum, except the Writing Proficiency Requirement, and 30 residence credits.
Students with baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions who are pursuing a second baccalaureate degree from BSU are exempt from the Writing Proficiency Requirement.
The Bachelor of General Studies degree is not available to any student who has earned any other bachelor’s degree.
Concurrent Bachelor’s Degrees
Concurrent bachelor’s degrees are two degrees earned simultaneously with majors that lead to distinctly different degrees. Students may receive concurrent degrees only if earning two majors under the same degree is not possible. A minimum of 150 credits must be earned for concurrent degrees. Students must meet the following academic standards to pursue two degrees concurrently:
- Have completed at least one graded semester at Ball State University.
- Have earned at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average (GPA).
- Be in good academic standing according to university policy.
The Bachelor of General Studies degree cannot be earned concurrently with any other bachelor’s degree.
Students must submit an application to the Director of Academic Advising for approval to pursue concurrent degrees.
Associate Degrees
Students pursuing associate degrees who wish to continue their education may transfer to curricula leading to baccalaureate degrees.
General Arts. This two-year program in general education includes many of the requirements of the basic University Core Curriculum for the four-year curriculum. It leads to the associate in arts degree.
General Education, 31 credits
6 credits from
Distribution requirements (15 credits):
| Physical, earth, and life sciences | 3 |
| Social and behavioral sciences | 3 |
| Humanities and fine arts | 3 |
| Two courses from the distribution areas above | 6 |
Other University Core Curriculum courses (3 credits)
PFW (1 credits)
Electives (29 crs)
Total Credit Hours: 60
Students qualifying for exemption from ENG 103 or ENG 104 will receive credit for the course(s). ENG 101 and ENG 102 may be substituted for ENG 103. The residency requirement will be waived for students who complete this program by correspondence.
The Associate in Arts Degree in General Arts may not be earned concurrently with any other associate’s degree and is not available to any student who has earned an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
Other Associate Degrees. Ball State University offers associate in arts degrees and associate in science degrees in several subjects. Requirements for the degrees are described under the following departments that offer the degrees:
| Degree |
Department |
| Chemical Technology |
Chemistry |
| Criminal Justice and Criminology |
Criminal Justice and Criminology |
| Radiography |
Nutrition and Health Science |
Minimum Credit Requirements
The associate in arts and the associate in science degrees are two-year degrees (four semesters) and require a minimum of 60 semester credits to complete.
The bachelor of arts, bachelor of athletic training, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of general studies, bachelor of music, bachelor of social work, bachelor of science, and bachelor of urban planning and development degrees are four-year degrees (eight semesters) and require a minimum of 120 semester credits to complete.
For the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, some majors require more than 120 semester credits, and may require more than four years to complete. See individual departments for descriptions for specific majors.