Ball State University

This program is unbelievably bad. Run poorly, constant issues with third party platforms, advisors do absolutely nothing to help. I had to withdraw from a class because their Shadow Health system didn’t work for the first four weeks of the semester despite spending about five hours on multiple calls with the customer support team. I was forced to withdraw from the course and they refused to give me my money back even though it was their issue. They schedule exams on the same days as clinical competencies,... Read More only giving a one day option to do both. I had work that day and couldn’t find a shift switch so I had no option to complete the competency, which is an automatic fail. The instructor did not get back to me when I asked why this was the case. They change requirements mid semester and do nothing to help secure clinical placements, including refusing to provide the paperwork required from the school to match with a clinical site. There are no lectures and its supposedly an asynchronous program, however every class has group projects every week despite everyone choosing the asynchronous program given that we all work full time and have families. The work is busy work and does not prepare you to be a nurse practitioner. The course work and course calendars are poorly made and instructions make no sense, even things as simple as explaining basic due dates. My cohort is all straight A students and despite this nobody understands what the expectations are for the classes. It’s a very disappointing program. Highly recommend finding a different program.

Ball State University was a great fit for me. Here is why Ball State may be a good fit for you. Are you searching for a school that offers a variety of ways to get involved on campus? Searching for a place to go that feels small town, but you have access to nearby larger cities? Are you searching for a diverse array of professors and educators who will make you feel seen and heard? Ball State may be a good fit for you. During my time at Ball State, I was able to get real-life experiences with on-campus... Read More media organizations, developing hands-on skills, which really set me up for success in the field I was studying.

I would have to say this is a big regret. The FNP program is the worst. The instructors expect you to teach yourself. They act like you should know how document correctly, even though you have never done it. I agree with Renee's post about changes happening in the middle of the semester and not knowing exactly what to do. This school does not understand that most everyone is a working adult. Don't try and get help from the instructors, because that is not going to happen. Don't start this school... Read More and then try to transfer because most school will only take 7 to 9 credits. Check out other school first.

The NP program provides little to no support and does not provide a positive learning environment. This is my third degree (with a GPA average of 3.98) and I have never experienced such a lack of professionalism by staff and many of the instructors. There is a culture of rudeness in email correspondence. Course instructions and clinical packets are constantly revised and the school does not understand basic document control procedures of revisions to ensure a smooth transition to new procedures,... Read More leading to students having to keep track of multiple, conflicting email updates of changes and rigid adherence to the confusing plethora of new rules at the expensive of assignment grades and clinical assignments. Some instructors are incapable of writing comprehensible instructions and even less capable of answering requests for clarification. This program uses multiple third party websites which have functionality issues, yet staff do not care and will refuse to give grades for completed assignments, even when computer logs prove assignment submission. Failure/drop out rates for their pharmacology program are above 50and the pathobiology program is almost as bad. Not sure how they stay credentialed with these rates. The system is dysfunctional. Save your money, time, and self-esteem and steer clear of this program. Purdue, Indiana, and Indiana State are much better options.

Ball State University's Telecommunications Video Production program came highly recommended to me, and having been through the program, I certainly extend that recommendation. Having been interested in Video Production for a while, the program did not disappoint in educating me about video production- such as the aesthetics of storytelling, understanding the technological side of running a set, and understanding the importance of being a well-rounded individual and filmmaker. I got tremendous real-life... Read More experience working on film and documentary sets, experiences in which I am truly proud of.

Ball State's online Master's program for Educational Leadership was the perfect fit for me! With a newborn and a full time job, I was able to manage the work due to the flexibility of online classes. I could choose the pace at which I wanted to complete the degree, which was also a perk. There seemed to be an ideal balance of reading, writing, discussion, and assessment in most courses. I am a student that communicated with my professors regularly - for both minor and major questions. I appreciated... Read More that professors were available for office hours and via email. I completed the degree in less than two years; and passed the Building Level Administrator's Test required for licensure on the first try without purchasing additional study materials. I am currently in my second year as an Assistant Principal at the high school level!