Ball State University (BSU) is a public university in Muncie, Indiana. BSU was founded in 1899 as a normal school and was eventually purchased by the Ball brothers, a pair of successful and well-known businessmen in the local Muncie community. The brothers gave the school to the State of Indiana in 1918, which granted it university status in 1965.
Today BSU awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and has several other specialized graduate programs. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is home to more than 20,000 students on a very large campus, spanning well over a thousand acres. Ball State University defines its mission as one of “the discovery of knowledge, the integration of learning experiences, and their application through civic and professional leadership. “
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Ball State University
Academics
BSU is composed of a number of different schools and colleges. There are seven academic colleges with programs on both the graduate and undergraduate level; there is also an undergraduate Honors College and a nonacademic University College which offers services for students. The Colleges are: the College of Applied Sciences and Technology; the College of Architecture and Planning; the Miller College of Business; the College of Communication, Information, and Media; the College of Fine Arts; the College of Sciences and Humanities; and the Teachers College.
Associate degrees are available in fifteen areas, including a number of technology fields, hospitality and food management, legal assistance, and criminal justice and criminology.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in roughly 180 areas. BSU programs in landscape architecture, education, architecture, telecommunications, and entrepreneurship are particularly well-known. Other popular options include family and consumer studies, industry and technology, nursing, military science, urban planning, accounting, music, communication studies, biology, English, mathematical sciences, and speech pathology. Programs in the arts and humanities, education, and business are well-represented. Minors are also awarded in most departments and include such areas as peace studies and conflict resolution, ancient studies, church music, hospitality management, plastics technology, sustainable land systems, and women’s studies.
Master’s degrees are awarded in more than 100 areas, including actuarial science, creative writing, digital storytelling, various educational and business programs, music, nursing, and urban and regional planning. An MBA is offered. Additionally, there are graduate certificate programs in biotechnology, business essentials for professionals, and gerontology. A specialist degree (Ed.S.) is available in curriculum, school psychology, and school superintendency.
BSU also offers several doctoral degrees in fields such as education (several specialties, including school psychology and counseling), English, human bioenergetics, music, linguistics, and audiology.
Distance Learning
BSU offers several classes and a few complete degrees online. Online students may earn associate degrees in business administration-management, general studies, radiation therapy, or radiography; a bachelor of general studies; or a registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing. The distance education program also offers certificates in apartment management, corrections, emerging media journalism (in partnership with The New York Times), and web applications.
Library Resources
The Ball State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases in additional to physical volumes stored on site. Collections include an architecture library and slide collection, archives and special collections, a geospatial center and map collection, government publications, a music collection, and a science and health science library.
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Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Ball State University.
The Center for Media Design’s iCommunication project, well-funded by the Lilly Endowment, creates, assesses, and delivers high-quality media content. The Center works with industry leaders to produce digital products for a variety of users, and specializes in the testing and assessment of digital media. Students with an interest in digital media have ample opportunity to gain practical work skills and cutting-edge knowledge by participating in the project.
This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Ball State University
Ball State University
Admissions
Applications to the undergraduate programs are accepted through March 1 prior to the fall semester, although it is a rolling admission process so in some years this deadline may vary. Nursing and architecture have other deadlines. In addition to the application form and fee, students must submit high school transcripts and test scores. Prerequisites included a high school degree or GED, four years of high school English, three years of mathematics, three years of science, and three years of social studies. Applications can be submitted on-line.
Graduate students must satisfy particular department or program requirements, as well as providing the following for admission to the graduate school: application and fee, and official transcripts. A graduate application has a modest fee for students who do not have a prior degree from Ball State.
Ball State’s admissions policies are based on the strength of an applicant’s high school curriculum, successful completion of a number of college preparatory courses, academic performance (measured by grade point average, class rank, standardized test scores, or a combination of these), and patterns or trends within the curriculum. Honors admissions is available to Indiana residents who have a 3.6 or better grade point average or other outstanding academic qualities. Ball State operates on a “rolling admission,” meaning that reviews are conducted once all necessary paperwork is received, and applicants who get their materials in late may have to await the following semester to enroll.
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Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to BSU students through grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Traditionally, Ball State awards a large amount of scholarships to incoming freshmen. While financial need is not necessarily a prerequisite for aid, it can be considered in particular circumstances. Ball State prefers to award scholarships based on academic merit. The greatest determinant of eligibility is the Academic Index, or grade point average, in an applicant’s high school curriculum. The quality or challenges of a high school curriculum are also major factors.
This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Ball State University
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Ball State University 2916th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Indiana scholarships and financial aid
For many students, one of the best features of the BSU campus is the museum. The Ball State Museum of Art has collections ranging from the medieval era to the early 20th century, as well as a special Indiana group of Impressionists. It also includes ancient Greek, Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian jewelry, vases and earthenware, and other materials. Art from Africa, the Americas, and Asia and the Middle East is also represented.
This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Ball State University
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Ball State University?
The athletics department at BSU is known as the Cardinals. The Cardinals compete at the intervarsity level in NCAA Division I and the Mid-American Conference. Men’s competitive athletics include baseball, basketball, cross-country, diving, equestrian, football, golf, swimming, tennis, and track & field. Women’s competitive athletics include basketball, cross-country, diving, equestrian, field hockey, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Students who are interested in playing sports at BSU can send a request directly to the coach from the Ball State University Athletics website.
BSU takes special pride in the academic quality of its student athletes. BSU student athletes rank among the highest in the nation in overall graduation rates among NCAA Division I-A institutions. Recognition for outstanding academic performance has also been given to student athletes in swimming and men’s and women’s basketball.
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Local Community
The city of Muncie, Indiana, with a population of approximately 67,000, is located 68 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Only one county separates it from the Ohio border, and Ohio students are encouraged to attend Ball State. In addition to a well-known symphony, the city also has a theatre, a cultural center, and a children’s museum.
This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Ball State University
Bibliography
About. Ball State University. Web. 14 June 2011.
Academics. Ball State University. Web. 14 June 2011.
Distance Education. Ball State University. Web. 14 June 2011.
Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.
Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.
This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Ball State University
Campus Crime Statistics
Ranks 7th in Indiana and
495th overall
on StateUniversity.com‘s Safe School Index
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Ball State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
8 months agonancy jenckes jenckesn ((at)) aol dot com
I protest the "rule" against bringing an umbrella into the stadium. I have serious issues with the cold. I have lost 2 toes and one finger because of this issue. I dressed very warmly, but none of that would help if I got wet. There was no advance warning, no signs. Hundreds of umbrellas were thrown on the ground outside the gates. Had I known of the policy, I would have bought special rain gear for protection. I am unhappy about this experience and this non advertised policy
about 4 years agoHallie Sahertian hallie_1405 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am from Malang-East Java Indonesia. In summer 1988, and I was still in Junior High School, my father, Prof. Pieter Sahertian, had an lecturer exchange program in Teacher's College in Ball State University. My mother and I accompanied my fahter. We lived in BSU's apartment. The sponsor is my father's friend and I called him Mr. Bill Johnson and his wife is Mrs. Mary Lee Johnson.
If Mr. Bill and Mary Lee Johnson still in BSU, please very kindly to send my best regards to them. I know it's a very long time already not seeing or hearing something from them, since we very pleased with their hospitality all the days we had in Muncie, IN.
- hallie sahertian -
over 4 years agoJim jaslpratt ((at)) aol dot com
I have a friend that is a convicted felon and is now serving time. this young man is 26 years old and has ties to BSU and is going to go college there after he gets out. His main sport that he desires to get into is bowling . He wants to know what limitations that he will have, if any, because of his felon status, of attendance there and participating in his sport. thank you your advice would be very much appreciated
sincerely, Jim Pratt
almost 5 years agoBrenn Bell Brennbell51 ((at)) aol dot com
I am trying to find out how to advertise in the Ball State Newspaper/newsletter?
almost 5 years agoJames Cline jamesc197 ((at)) aol dot com
I am completeing my degree at another college and need a transcript of my grades from Ball state. How do I do that?
James E Cline
about 5 years agoEddie k, Collins libra4life9 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I was wondering about on-line classes;i.e.what classes are availible,how much on-line classes cost versus on campus classes, and where i should go or how i can go about registering for them. Thank You.
about 5 years agoAmanda Gonce swimmer_sweetie09 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hello, My name is Amanda Gonce and I was wondering how much it costs to submitt and application. Thank you
This website and associated pages are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ball State University. StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Ball State University.
jenckesn ((at)) aol dot com
I protest the "rule" against bringing an umbrella into the stadium. I have serious issues with the cold. I have lost 2 toes and one finger because of this issue. I dressed very warmly, but none of that would help if I got wet. There was no advance warning, no signs. Hundreds of umbrellas were thrown on the ground outside the gates. Had I known of the policy, I would have bought special rain gear for protection. I am unhappy about this experience and this non advertised policy