Academic Progress and Policies

We provide a supportive environment because we want our students to succeed. Ball State has many campus services available to assist students:

• Academic Advising
• Learning Center
• Counseling Center

If you’re a student and want a one-on-one evaluation of your academic transcript and standing with the university, call the registrar’s office at 765-285-1722.

The scholastic policy encourages satisfactory progress toward meeting the minimum requirements for graduation and/or entering into professional and graduate fields of study.

For Undergraduate Students

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation when their cumulative grade point averages are less than 2.0. The Office of the Registrar will notify students who are on academic probation of their status, including any requirements the university establishes to help improve their academic performance.

Academic Dismissal

To avoid academic dismissal, a student on academic probation must meet the following conditions in their next term of attendance:

• A student with fewer than 30 earned credits (including transfer credit and other credit granted) is required to earn a 2.0 term GPA at the end of the probation term and each following term until the cumulative average reaches 2.0 or above.
• A student with 30 or more earned credits (including transfer credit and other credit granted) is required to earn a 2.1 term GPA at the end of the probation term and each following term until the cumulative average reaches 2.0 or above.

The scholastic standards as stated above also apply to transfer students.

For Graduate Students

Graduate students will need to contact the Graduate School for information about their scholastic standards.

An undergraduate student may repeat a course an unlimited number of times, except in cases where a department has imposed repetition limits. The repetition of a course does not remove the previous grades from the student's official academic record (official transcripts). A W will not replace a previous grade. The university is not obligated to offer courses so that a student can repeat them.

The last grade in a course will be used in computing the student's grade point average (GPA). In order to get the adjusted GPA, you must repeat the course at Ball State. You cannot transfer in a new grade from another college or university because only passing credits will transfer to Ball State. The credit hours will count once toward meeting minimum credit requirements for graduation.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with an advisor.

For Graduate Students

If you are a graduate student, please consult the Graduate School’s policy about repeating courses for more information.

Undergraduate

You will be placed on academic probation if your cumulative grade point average (GPA) is less than 2.0. Our office will inform you of your probationary status.

If you are placed on academic probation, you may be required to:

• repeat courses
• enroll in no more than 18 credit hours
• take courses in reading and study skills
• attend academic progress meetings sponsored by University College
• attend workshops and seminars on academic success
• take advantage of one-on-one or group tutoring sessions offered through the Learning Center
• obtain an advisor's approval to make schedule changes
• enroll in class sections that offer supplemental instruction

If you have been placed on academic probation, you should immediately schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor to discuss plans for improvement. We want you to succeed and urge you to take advantage of services and resources.

The Undergraduate Catalog outlines minimum grade requirements for all Ball State University students, including transfer students and students on academic probation.

Graduate

Graduate students will be placed on academic probation if your cumulative graduate GPA falls below 3.0 for MA students or 3.2 for PhD students at any time after completion of 9 credits.

If you are placed on academic probation, you may be required to:

• repeat courses
• enroll in no more than 9 credit hours

To remove probationary status, graduate students must have at least a 3.0 for MA students or a 3.2 for PhD students graduate cumulative GPA by the time the next 9 graduate credits are completed. 

Re-enroll after Probation

Undergraduate

If you leave Ball State while you are on academic probation and your absence lasts more than one semester, you need to reapply through the Office of the Registrar. Please complete the Special Undergraduate Application Request and submit online. The Office of the Registrar will contact you about the next steps.

 

Disqualification

Undergraduate

If you fail to earn a GPA of at least 2.0 during the first semester of attendance, you will be placed on academic probation.

If you do not achieve a 2.0 accumulative average after completing one semester of attendance, you risk dismissal. To continue your education at Ball State, you must earn 2.0 in the next semester and each following semester until your accumulative average reaches 2.0.

After completing 30 earned credits (transfer credit and other credit granted included), to continue your education at Ball State, you must earn a GPA of at least 2.1 in the next semester and each following semester until the accumulated average reaches 2.0.

Undergraduate - If You Are Granted an Appeal

The student record is assessed at the conclusion of each term of enrollment.  Appeals from academic disqualification must be submitted by the stated deadline and, if granted, place the student on academic probation for the next term of enrollment.  Probation means that you are still required to meet university standards.

All students who have fewer than 30 credits earned must receive at least a 2.0 for the next semester (2.1 for all students who have earned 30 or more credits). You should use all the resources available to you such as Learning Center, Advising, Counseling Center, and Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services to have a successful term.

Graduate

If probationary status is not removed, the student's admission to graduate study will be canceled, and additional graduate study will not be possible until the student has reapplied for reinstatement.  

Returning to Ball State after Disqualification

Undergraduate

Academic dismissal does not mean that you are forever barred from attending Ball State, nor does academic dismissal imply future reinstatement. If you are academically dismissed, you are ineligible to attend for two consecutive semesters (summer is considered a semester).

To apply for reinstatement, please complete the Special Undergraduate Application Request online. If you have questions, please call 765-285-1722 or email us.

Applications must be completed and returned to our office by the deadline. The application will be reviewed by the Admissions and Credits Committee.

A decision to reinstate a student by the Admissions and Credits Committee is readmission to Ball State University, not readmission to a specific college or department.

A student denied reinstatement may apply no more frequently than at one year intervals. Following a second disqualification, a student may request to be reinstated a minimum of three years following the disqualification.

Graduate

Academic dismissal does not mean that graduate students are forever barred from graduate study at Ball State, nor does academic dismissal imply future reinstatement. Students seeking reinstatement must present to the dean of the Graduate School a written request approved by the chairperson of the major department. The decision to reinstate will be made by the dean of the Graduate School. It is recommended that a student wait at least one semester before making an appeal for reinstatement.

Reinstatement requests should provide an explanation of the unsatisfactory grades and a plan for achieving good academic standing. Students reinstated to graduate study will carry the same classification held when graduate admission was cancelled. Graduate students may only be reinstated once. If dismissed again, you will not be readmitted to Ball State for graduate study.

Grade Changes

If you have questions regarding your individual course grades, you should contact the instructor to discuss the matter. All grade changes must originate with the instructor and pass through the academic department for approval. They are finally routed to the records office in Lucina Hall, where they are processed on the same day they are received.

If you discuss a grade with your instructor and if a grade change is coming to your record, have the instructor notify and confirm the change immediately by sending an email so that we may figure your grade point average (GPA).

All emails will be verified against the individual(s) listed as course instructor(s) of the class.

If you are appealing a grade, see the Grade Appeal Policy.

The undergraduate academic clemency program is forgiveness of past academic course work.

You must submit an application to the registrar’s office (Lucina Hall, Room B43). It is strongly recommended that you meet with the registrar to discuss how academic clemency will affect your record.

You must agree to the following criteria to be considered:

1. You must not have earned a degree from Ball State University.
2. You have at least a five-year gap in academic work at Ball State.
3. You are registered for the current term.

The decision on undergraduate academic clemency is final and irreversible; it is a one-time only process.

All other Ball State academic policies apply.

If undergraduate academic clemency is granted, all final grades will remain visible on the record. However, all final grades will be prefaced with the letter U.

If graduate academic clemency is granted, all final grades will remain visible on the record. However, all final grades will be prefaced with the letter G.

Credit hours are forfeited for all course work with a grade C- or below, and you will resume your academic program following the term clemency is granted.

An academic grade point average (GPA) is calculated as quality points divided by GPA hours. Hours attempted will not change on your record. Hours earned will include only grades of a clemency C or above. All passed hours and GPA hours will be reduced to zero.

Your cumulative grade point average will begin following the term clemency is granted.

If you have discussed a grade change with your instructor and the paperwork is forthcoming, please have the instructor notify and confirm the change immediately with the Registrar at registrar@bsu.edu, so that we may figure your GPA and take appropriate action that a new grade may create.

If you are appealing a grade, see the information on the Office for the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs or call 765-285-3716.

If you had extenuating circumstances occur during the term beyond your control that pulled you away from the classroom experience and led to unsatisfactory grades for the term, you may write an appeal letter explaining your circumstances.  You MUST submit the appeal and all documentation by the deadline stated in your disqualification email from registrar@bsu.edu at the close of the term.     

• Include supporting documentation with your appeal letter. Supporting evidence may include your emergency room, doctor receipts or other pertinent letters on letterhead from an advisor, faculty member, or resource center log.  Submission of these documents does not guarantee an appeal will be granted.  Documents are used to support statements you make in your letter to appeal university academic standards.    
• Your letter must be legible and documentation confirm statements in the appeal letter for the disqualified term.  After you have compiled your appeal information, you should return it to the Registrar's Office for review and decision by the deadline stated in the disqualification email notification from registrar@bsu.edu. 
• If you have questions about an appeal decision you may call the office at 765-285-1722 for additional information.  
• Additional supporting documentation obtained after an appeal decision does not imply an appeal decision will be changed.  The university publishes firm deadlines for submission of an appeal and will cancel future schedules of disqualified students.    
• The Registrar's Office is located on the ground floor of Lucina Hall, B-43. Hours of operation during the academic year are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the summer, office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you are unable to come to campus, you may fax (765-285-8765) or email (registrar@bsu.edu) your letter and documentation.  All email attachments must be in .pdf format. You must include your email address and phone number where you may be reached during office hours. Please allow up to 48 hours to process your appeal.

All appeals and documentation must be submitted by the deadline stated in the academic standing email.

If You Are Granted an Appeal

You will continue on probation unless a grade change take your accumulative average above 2.0.

Probation means you are required to meet university standards for your next term of enrollment and that includes enrollment for summer classes.    

All students with less than 30 credits earned must receive a 2.0 for the next semester. Students who have earned 30 or more credits must achieve a 2.1 for their next semester. 

You are encouraged to use resources available to help you have a successful term, such as Learning Center, Advising, Counseling Center, and Dean of Student's Office.