Milestone Map and Checklist

Use our Milestone Map and Semester Checklist to keep track of your progress throughout your academic journey.

Many students (and their parents) are interested in two key things when planning class schedules at Ball State:

  1. What classes do I need to take before I can graduate?
  2. How long will it take me to get through these classes?

As your advisor's role is to help you to understand academic progress, your role is to take responsibility for both academic performance and academic planning, which results in your unique educational experience and prepares you with the skills to continue learning and to achieve career goals. Don't hesitate to ask your advisor for information about resources or services available to help with improving grades and achieving higher levels of success.

Tracking Progress

One measure of academic progress is class standing.  Class standing, however, is only one way to look at progress.  Another way to study your progress is to review your degree audit in Stellic.  This document serves as your personal “progress report” that lists the requirements for a selected degree and academic program of study, among other things.

One of your first responsibilities is to meet with your academic advisor during your first semester and learn how to read your degree audit in Stellic.  The information included in the Stellic degree audit is unique to each student, taking into account such things as advanced standing, work completed, transfer hours, grades earned, and many other pieces of information.

The degree audit in Stellic automatically updates your earned grades and other requirements for your major.  Whenever you officially change majors or degree options, it applies completed coursework to the newly declared program of study.  For these reasons, it is wise for you to obtain a new Stellic degree audit each semester and/or when changing majors. 

Students can obtain a Stellic degree audit through their appropriate advising center, or at MyBallState.  To get help in understanding your degree audit in Stellic please see the video within the Stellic tab, or see your academic advisor. 

The term “Academic Warning,” is a status given to students who do not meet minimum academic requirements in any given term. Understandably, it sends a message of expectation for meeting academic standards of the university, and results in a need for students to respond by meeting the challenge in a positive way, working within the university’s support services, communicating and connecting with faculty and administrators, and being aware of policies and strategies by talking with academic advisors and staff in the Office of the Registrar. The possibility of not being eligible to continue as a student at Ball State is at the crux of being in academic warning status, but the intent of issuing “academic warning” is to alert the student and give the opportunity to remain, grow or overcome, and be successful in the future.

Grade Point for Academic Warning status:

A student will be in academic warning status when the accumulative grade point average (GPA) is below a 2.000. Failure to reach the minimum academic standards (see the Undergraduate Catalog for specifics) in the following semester may result in Academic Separation  from the University. You will be informed of your academic separation status by the Registrar's Office. If you have been informed by the Registrar that you have been placed on academic warning status, you should immediately schedule an appointment to meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss plans for improvement.

Minimum Grade Requirements when on Academic Warning

A student with less than 30 earned credits is required to earn a 2.000 term grade point for the term (2.100 for students with more than 30 credit hours) in which the student was placed on academic warning status, and each following term until the cumulative grade point reaches 2.000 or above. If you are placed on academic warning, you may be required or strongly encouraged to take only 12 credits, repeat courses, plan to meet with your academic advisor (learn more about the University College Success Scholars Program), use Learning Center tutoring or success strategies instruction, meet with a student success coach, or carry out other steps to help in a plan for retention.

Academic Separation

Students who fail to meet the minimum academic requirements when on academic warning are subject to Academic Separation. This means the student is no longer eligible to take classes at Ball State unless reinstated by the university through the Office of the Registrar. You have the right to appeal your academic separation. For details on the appeal process, being reinstated, or questions about academic separation, contact the Office of Registration and Academic Progress (LU B43, 765-285-1722).

University College Success Scholars (UCSS) is a semester-long program designed to provide students with a network of support for achieving their college goals.  UCSS guides students as they explore how they can utilize their strengths to avoid or adjust to institutional, environmental, and personal obstacles that might derail them from achieving their full college potential.  Students whose standing changes to academic warning, and students who are separated from the university and are approved to return to Ball State must participate in UCSS.

All UCSS participants receive:

  • Regular invitations to meet with their academic advisor
  • Personalized guidance for exploring obstacles that contribute to college difficulty
  • An introduction to self-exploration techniques to help identify strengths that students can employ for achieving their goals
  • Instruction in academic skills and self-management strategies
  • Expansion of students' academic and social networks
  • Personalized recommendations for Ball State community support services
  • Direct access to academic skill sessions or workshops
  • Creation of a personalized academic success plan in partnership with their academic advisor

Students are asked to meet with their academic advisor and/or a student success coach at least 5 times throughout the semester.  Each meeting has a unique purpose and is aligned with the semester calendar to best fit the needs of students as they progress.

Students who are academically separated from the university and are successful in their requests to return to Ball State must enroll in ID 298: Student Success Seminar.  ID 298 is designed to enhance student's understanding on how to successfully navigate institutional, environmental, or personal obstacles that contribute to not meeting their goals at Ball State University.  Students who have already taken ID 298 are not required to repeat it.

UCSS Resources

Your academic advisor may recommend that you use one of the resources below (or may use them during a UCSS advising appointment).

Grades and GPA Information Sheet (PDF)

Major Exploration Worksheet (PDF)

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Worksheet (PDF)

Time Management Information Sheet and Planning Chart (PDF)

Resources for Supporting Your Appeal

How to Submit a Successful Appeal

Step-by-step Guide for Submitting an Academic Appeal (PDF)

Sample of Academic Appeal Narrative Responses (PDF)

 

 

Introducing Stellic

At Ball State University, we're committed to empowering our students for success, and we're excited to introduce Stellic, an innovative platform designed to support your academic journey. Stellic provides an intuitive, personalized experience that helps you plan your path to graduation with confidence. Whether you're choosing courses, tracking your progress, or exploring new academic opportunities, Stellic ensures that you have the tools you need to make informed decisions and stay on track. With its user-friendly interface and integrated resources, Stellic is a key part of how Ball State University supports your academic success—every step of the way.

What is Stellic replacing?

As part of our continuous effort to enhance the student experience, Stellic is replacing Degree Works, the previous system used for degree planning and auditing. This transition is more than just a software upgrade—it's a shift toward giving you greater autonomy over your academic journey. Stellic empowers students to take full control of their educational path, offering advanced features and greater flexibility to tailor your academic plan to fit your personal and professional goals. With Stellic, students have the freedom and support to shape their education in a way that best suits your aspirations, ensuring students stay on course and make the most of their time at Ball State.

Access Your Stellic Account

Log into your Stellic account and explore the resources it provides to assist with your academic success.

Stellic

Accessibility

Our goal is to make all of our materials and services accessible. Please inform staff of accessibility barriers you encounter and request accommodations that will make activities and information resources accessible to you.