Schedules can be adjusted during the university's Change-of-Course period, which ends the fifth day of each semester and the third day of each summer session.  During this period, students may drop or add classes without the approval of an academic advisor.   Consulting with your academic advisor, however, is strongly encouraged since changes may result in delaying completion of graduation requirements.  There is no fee assessed for changes made and changes can be made online by accessing www.bsu.edu/studentservices and following the directions for adding or dropping a course.  If a student has a hold on their academic record, she / he will not be able to add or drop classes.

The normal full time course load at Ball State University is 12 to 18 credits. In a five-week summer term, the normal load is 6 to 12 credits. (During a semester, 9 to 11 credits is considered a three-quarter-time load; 6 to 8 credits is considered a half-time load.) A minimum total of twelve credits in a semester is considered a full course load for undergraduate students. Freshmen are generally not eligible to register for more than 18 credits.  Freshmen should consult with their academic advisor for exceptions.   Students who are on academic probation may not register for more than 18 credits in a semester or 9 credits in a five-week summer term.

Registering for Classes

Most registration at Ball State University occurs online, but students can also register in person at the Registrar's office in Lucina Hall (B43).  Details of course offerings for each semester are available through Course Planner on the Ball State University Student Services web page, or in the Schedule of Classes, which can be picked up in the Freshman Advising Center (NQ 324) or the Cooper Advising Center (CP 253).  The university specifies the times when registration can begin.  Generally, students register for the spring semesters mid fall, and the fall and summer semesters mid spring semester.

Students register for courses by course reference numbers that can be found in the left column of the Schedule of Classes or online on the Course Planner.  To register online, students need a Ball State University username and a password.  After selecting courses students submit their course requests either online or at the Registrar's office.  Students are notified two weeks before the end of the current semester that their registration has been processed and that their course schedule is available online.

Please Note:  Students registering for social work classes beyond SOCWK 100 Introduction to Social Work must first obtain permission to register in the Department of Social Work.  This permission process ensures students academically qualify for those courses which they are interested in requesting or registering.  Students obtain permission by coming to AR227 the week prior to requesting courses online.