There are two types of accreditation that affect Ball State University:

  • institutional accreditation – A voluntary initiative that includes a comprehensive, critical evaluation of the University’s mission, goals, programs, and resources that assure we meet quality standards set by an independent, nongovernmental organization committed to enhancing higher education.
  • specialized accreditation – Applies to individual academic programs or colleges. In these cases, the accrediting agencies are independent organizations within a program’s discipline.
Institutional Accreditation

Ball State is accredited, University-wide, by the Higher Learning Commission.

In reviewing institutions for accreditation, the HLC seeks a culture of aspiration and continual improvement rather than satisfaction of minimum requirements. The Commission’s evaluation begins with basic eligibility requirements and assumed practices, then moves beyond these to include the fulfillment of broad criteria for accreditation and specific core components that ensure institutional effectiveness. A set of guiding values reflect the intentions behind the criteria.

Behavioral requirements for member institutions are part of the commission’s obligations of affiliation. Candidates for accreditation also must follow certain federal compliance policies.

Colleges and universities seeking accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission must provide evidence that they meet all of the criteria and requirements through an extensive institutional self-study and a peer review team visit.

Ball State’s continuing institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission was reaffirmed on January 14, 2014, following a two-year self-study process. The university is accredited through 2023–24.  Find more information about Ball State's current reaffirmation of accreditation process on the Institutional Accreditation webpage.

Our good standing makes us eligible for the Open Pathway option for our reaffirmation of accreditation.

Important Documents

Complaints Procedures:
https://www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/complaints.html

Other Information:
Mail complaints to:
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413

Along with the University’s institutional accreditation from HLC, more than 40 degree programs have additional accreditations from outside agencies.

These types of accreditations indicate that a program meets additional academic rigors and professional expectations from peers within that particular field of expertise.

See a list of these programs

Questions?

If you would like to speak to someone about Ball State’s accreditation, please contact Carole Kacius, Director of Assessment and Accreditation.