Applicants for the master of urban design (MUD) program must hold a degree in architecture, civil engineering, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or urban planning or demonstrate equivalent achievement through a combination of experience and education. Applicants must be admitted to Ball State’s Graduate School and be accepted by the coordinator of the urban design program.
Admission is determined on the basis of your individual qualifications and satisfactory performance on all required materials. The program requires an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 for the second half of your baccalaureate education. Graduate assistants must maintain a 3.0 GPA. If your GPA is below these requirements, you may be admitted with probationary status based on GRE scores and other criteria, and you must achieve a 3.0 GPA for unrestricted admission. See Ball State’s equal opportunity and affirmative action policy.
Application Process
You may apply for admission online. The graduate application fee is $50. The application fee may be paid by credit card or e-check immediately after submitting the online application.
First-time applicants to Ball State must request one official transcript from the institution that granted your baccalaureate degree and each institution attended for undergraduate and graduate work. Ask the registrar at each institution to send your transcripts to the Graduate School, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. It is not necessary to request Ball State transcripts or transcripts of work completed anywhere before any Ball State degree.
A statement of professional intent, an updated curriculum vitae, and a portfolio of professional work must be submitted to the urban design coordinator.
Statement of Professional Intent: This required letter must express your interest in pursuing the urban design degree and profession.
Portfolio of Professional Work: A portfolio is a collection of examples of previous professional work and may include professional writing, drawings, photos of work, artistic work, publications, or awards. Submitted portfolios must meet the following requirements:
- Use letter-size or A3 (approximately 8.5 x 11 inches) paper only.
- Maximum length is 12 sheets (24 pages if the front and back of each sheet is used).
- Your first and last name must be on the top right-hand corner of each page.
- Paper should be stapled in the top left-hand corner.
- Please do not use notebook binders.
- Please do not include any disks or CDs; submit printed material only (the portfolio will be placed in your application file and must fit into our file system).
Submit the statement of professional intent and the portfolio to:
Urban Design Coordinator
CAP:IC
50 South Meridian Street, Suite 302
Indianapolis, IN 46204
International Students
Students who are not U.S. residents must apply for admission to Ball State through the Rinker Center for International Programs. Credits from secondary schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions outside the U.S. must be evaluated by the Rinker Center staff before acceptance.