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UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2002-2004

	History of the University Description of the University Vision Mission Operating Principles Accreditation University Schools HISTORY Ball State University was founded as Indiana State Normal School, Eastern Division, in 1918. Its antecedents, all housed in what is now the Ball State Administration Building, were also normal schools, owned and operated under various names. In 1918, the Ball brothers, a prominent Muncie industrial family, bought the property and donated it to the state of Indiana, which, in turn, transferred control of the school to the board of trustees of the Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute. In 1922, in recognition of the generosity of the Ball brothers, the board added Ball Teachers College to the school's name. In 1929, the Indiana General Assembly separated the two colleges, naming the campus in Muncie Ball State Teachers College. On February 8, 1965, the general assembly renamed the institution Ball State University in recognition of its phenomenal growth in enrollment and physical facilities; the variety and quality of its educational programs and services; and in anticipation of the much broader role it would be expected to assume in the future. DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIVERSITY Ball State University is a comprehensive, publicly assisted institution of higher learning whose mission is to provide excellent education. It is located in Muncie, Indiana, a city of 70,000, fifty-six miles northeast of Indianapolis. Although its primary concern is for the citizens of Indiana, it offers programs with appeal to regional, national, and international audiences. Ball State University offers a strong undergraduate liberal and professional education and selected graduate programs of high quality. Ball State students can choose from a comprehensive range of academic programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's levels , as well as doctoral program in areas where the university has special competence. In addition to core academic programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities, the university offers more than 140 major and minor areas of study through its seven colleges: Applied Sciences and Technology; Architecture and Planning; Business; Communication, Information and Media; Fine Arts; Sciences and Humanities; and Teachers College. The university has a selective admission policy; in some areas, such as architecture, the university is very selective. Exceptionally well-qualified undergraduate students may enroll in the Honors College for more intellectually demanding programs of study. Students who have not decided on a major or who may need to strengthen their learning skills can take advantage of the special academic assistance and intensive educational counseling offered by University College. As part of Ball State's commitment to excellence in education, the university offers students a friendly, collegial atmosphere; a full range of out-of-class activities; and excellent, well-planned academic, residential, and recreational facilities. An impressive array of student support services contributes to the personal, social, and intellectual development of all students. Although Ball State University is primarily a residential academic community, it also supports programs that reach students well beyond the immediate campus. Through interactive telecommunications, Internet courses, and on-site courses, Ball State distance learning students are able to take courses and entire degree programs. The university has a strong commitment to cultural diversity and international programs. It offers exchange programs with universities throughout the world and a wide variety of opportunities for students to study abroad. VISION Ball State University will be a national model for all who seek intellectual vitality in a leaner-centered and socially responsible academic community. MISSION Ball State University is a learning community engaged in the discovery of knowledge, the integration of learning experiences, and their application through civic and professional leadership. We value the following attributes as they relate to the mission: In our learning community, we value-- · Challenge and achievement · Teamwork and problem solving · Personalized learning In our discovery of knowledge, we value-- · Intellectual freedom · Inquiry and Investigation · Creative activity In our integration of learning experiences, we value-- · Connection · Coherence · Collaboration In our civic and professional leadership, we value-- · Integrity · Social justice · Social responsibility OPERATING PRINCIPLES University resources will be allocated in a manner that will carry out the mission of the university and the goals of the plan. All academic, administrative, and auxiliary units are expected to develop plans that complement the Ball State University mission and strategic plan. A university planning group will revisit the plan annually to evaluate progress toward stated goals and objectives and to consider revision or addition of goals and objectives. The measures of performance stated in the plan are illustrative. University planning will be based on performance on these stated measures as well as additional evidence that helps evaluate progress toward goals and objectives. For example, results from existing university-wide surveys will be sued as appropriate. Measures will provide quantitative and qualitative evidence such as counts, percentages, narratives, and documents. Unless otherwise indicated, student-related measures refer to both undergraduate and graduate students. ACCREDITATION Ball State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the American Association of Museums, the National Architectural Accrediting Board, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society, and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. All teacher education and licensing programs are accredited by the Indiana Professional Standards Board and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The university is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. The university is an institutional member of the American Association of University Women. The dietetics program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is approved by the American Dietetic Association. The dietetic technology program has developmental accreditation by the American Dietetic Association. The technology teacher education program in the Department of Industry and Technology is accredited by the Council for Technology Teacher Education. The manufacturing engineering technology program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202, phone (410) 347-7700. The programs in the School of Nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (350 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, (212) 989-9393, ext. 451 or (800) 669-9656, ext. 153) and the Indiana State Board of Nursing. The athletic training major in the School of Physical Education is accredited by the National Athletic Trainers Association. The program in urban planning is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. The College of Business is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business and the National Association of Business Teacher Education. The accounting programs is accredited by the Accounting Accreditation Committee of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. The program in medical technology is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Life Sciences. The Department of Geology is accredited by the American Institute of Professional Geologists. The Department of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The allied health science programs are accredited by the American Medial Association and the Committee on Allied Health Education Accreditation. The associate degree program in nuclear medicine technology is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology. The associate degree program in radiography is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The Center for Medical Education is accredited as a part of the Indiana University School of Medicine by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Association of American Medical Colleges. The two-year legal assistance program is accredited by the American Bar Association. The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Commission on Standards and Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. The Counseling and Psychological Services Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services. The university also holds membership in many professional organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, National University Continuing Education Association, and College Entrance Examination Board. (back to top) UNIVERSITY SCHOOLS BURRIS LABORATORY SCHOOL www.bsu.edu/burris Burris Laboratory School serves as a laboratory in which preservice and inservice teachers can observe education practices; prospective teachers can gain experience working with young people before student teaching; and teachers can develop, study, and test ideas and methods for improving education. The school publicizes its findings and offers consulting and leadership services for public schools. Burris Laboratory School enrolls students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade. I (back to top) INDIANA ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND HUMANITIES www.bsu.edu/academy The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities is a residential school for three hundred of Indiana's most academically gifted high school juniors and seniors. In addition to core courses required for all students, the exploratory curriculum gives students the opportunity to sample advanced courses from the university's curriculum and to pursue individualized research and experiential education opportunities in cooperation with businesses, university faculty members, and practicing professionals. Students are also required to provide services to both the Indiana Academy and the larger community. The Indiana Academy also offers one of the most extensive outreach programs of any residential program in the country. Included are a one-year teacher fellowship program; monthly and summer staff development workshops for teachers; electronic field trips and on-line resources for students and teachers K-12; year-long Advanced Placement, foreign language, and science distant learning courses for high school students; and an extensive two-year elementary modern language course. (back to top)

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