Application Deadline and Fees
Your application and materials are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the following dates:
- To start classes in Spring 2023 – December 26, 2022
- To start classes in Summer 2023 – April 30, 2023
- To start classes in Fall 2023 – Apply by 11:59 p.m. the Sunday, two weeks prior to the start of the term. Start of term dates can be found on our Academic Calendar.
International applicants must adhere to the requirements and deadlines outlined by International Admissions.
Applications are $60 per program. You can pay your application fee (nonrefundable) with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Or you may pay online with an electronic check from a U.S. bank. (Note: electronic checks must be cleared prior to your application being complete. This process may take up to 10 days.)
Application Fee Waivers
Your application fee may be waived if you meet one of the criteria outlined below.
Do not pay the application fee if you are a:
- McNair Scholar;
- Ball State student currently enrolled in classes or alumni;
- current Ball State employee (full-time and benefits-eligible);
- veteran or active-duty military;
- guest student seeking credits to transfer to another institution;
- prospective student who attended a Ball State graduate program information session.
If you are in one of the categories above, make sure to select the fee waiver option when completing your online application. When selecting "I attended an informational session" option in the fee waiver section of the application, please provide the information session title and date you attended.
Before You Apply: Recommended Next Steps
Before you begin your application, we recommend you learn more about Ball State, review our admission process and requirements, and gather your required materials.
Step 1: Get to Know Ball State
Learn about Ball State, our Graduate School, and your program of interest.
Step 2: Review Our Admission Process
Some admission requirements differ between types of applicants. Be sure to follow the process that aligns with your current situation.
Ball State is authorized to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, certain states have regulations and/or additional requirements regarding licensing programs in behavior analysis, nursing, and education.
Learn more.
If you are an international student – someone who has or plans to acquire a visa to study in the U.S. – our International Admissions staff will help you through the admissions process and your unique requirements.
Get started.
If you are a Permanent Resident of the U.S., refugee, asylee, or DACA status holder, follow the admission requirements for
domestic applicants. If you have a pending U.S. Permanent Resident application, you must apply as an
international applicant.
If you were previously enrolled at Ball State but have not taken classes for more than a year—or if you received a "Re-Admit" error when attempting to register for classes—you need to select the “Re-enroll (previous Ball State graduate students only)” option under “Academic Intent” in your application.
Do not choose the Re-enroll Applicant Type if you are any of the following:
- a first-time applicant to a Ball State graduate program;
- applying for a new or different program or certificate than one in which you are already enrolled; OR
- previously applied for a program but never attended any classes.
Applying to Spring 2023, Summer 2023, or Fall 2023
The following requirements are for applicants applying to Spring 2023, Summer 2023, or Fall 2023.
Step 3: Verify Your Admission Requirements
Make sure you meet the following requirements to apply to your program:
- You must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an institution recognized by a regional accrediting association.
- You must have earned a minimum of a 2.75 GPA from the undergraduate degree-granting institution or hold a conferred graduate degree.
If you cannot meet the requirements, you may be considered for admission under probationary status. Contact the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication for more information about probationary admission criteria. Additional information about probationary admissions can be found in the Graduate School catalog.
Step 4: Gather Your Application Materials
In addition to your application, you will be requested to upload the following materials to your application portal:
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose
- provide a 1,000-word statement of purpose that indicates the specific area of concentration you want to pursue, the reasons for undertaking graduate study in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, and the relationship of such study to your long-term personal and professional goals and interests
- Portfolio
- please upload a portfolio that includes 3 to 5 samples that illustrate your talent or work experience. We accept many different types of portfolio samples including (but not limited to) graphic design, photography, art, video, evidence of front and back-end development, business plans or presentations, creative writing, physical crafts, and PR, marketing or advertising campaigns
- Writing sample
- provide either an academic or professional writing sample(s) that best illustrates your ability to write and to think critically and logically, and is no less than 2,500 words and no more than 5,000 in total
- Transcripts from your highest earned degree. What is this?
Ready to Apply?
Applying to Ball State is easy, safe, and is a completely online process. You’ll need to complete the online application for graduate admission and then upload any required application materials to your applicant portal.
You will receive an email message after you submit your application with instructions on how to access your applicant portal. The portal will provide further instructions on how to upload your required application materials and submit your full application for review. You will also be able to check your application status and confirm your enrollment via the Decision Reply Form from the portal.
Log In to Your Applicant Portal
Questions?
We recognize that your graduate education is an important investment for your future. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ball State Online for assistance. We are here to help!