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 registrars 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 Warning

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

Academic Separation

To avoid academic separation, a student on academic warning 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 warning 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 warning 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.

Academic Warning

Undergraduate

Students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.0 are placed on academic warning (probation). Academic progress will be reevaluated at the close of the next semester in which courses are completed.

Students on academic warning (probation) must participate in University College Success Scholars (UCSS), a program designed to support students to get back to good academic standing. Participation in UCSS includes:

• regular meetings with an academic advisor, and
• a personalized Academic Success Plant to support progress.

Follow this link to learn more about University College Success Scholars.

Academic Warning notifications are sent from the Office of the Registrar after grades are finalized for the semester.

Academic Advisors will contact students using their Ball State email prior to the start of the upcoming semester to schedule their first UCSS appointment. Scheduling an appointment before the upcoming semester begins can ensure:

• course sequencing changes are addressed, and
• a 4-year plan review for any needed adjustments.

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

Students placed on academic warning should also consult with Cardinal Central to determine any effect on their financial aid package.

Graduate

Graduate students will be placed on academic warning 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 warning, you may be required to:

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

To remove warning 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 Warning

Undergraduate

If you leave Ball State while you are on academic warning 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.

Academic Separation

Undergraduate

Students on academic warning (probation) must meet the following requirements to prevent separation (dismissal) from the university:

• Students with 29 or less earned credits, must earn at least:
  • a 2.0 semester GPA; or
  • a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Students with 30 or more earned credits, must earn at least:
  • a 2.1 semester GPA; or
  • a 2.0 cumulative GPA

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

Academic Separation Appeal

Undergraduate

If you are planning to appeal your academic separation, please visit the “Appealing Your Academic Separation” webpage for tips on how to submit a separation appeal.

 

Graduate

If warning 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 Separation

Undergraduate

Students who choose not to appeal their academic separation, or their appeal is denied, are ineligible to enroll at Ball State University for one academic year (2 consecutive semesters).

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

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.

Graduate

Academic separation does not mean that graduate students are forever barred from graduate study at Ball State, nor does academic separation 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 Office of the Registrar 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 Affairsor call 765-285-3716.

If you are a graduate student seeking to appeal your academic separation, contact the associate dean of the Graduate School. You can also learn about Retention in Master's Degree Programs for additional assistance.