2.3
Quality4.2
Difficulty24%
Would Retake158
Reviews24%
Would Retake
158
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
30
4
16
3
8
2
31
1
73
What Students Say
“By far the worst professor at JMU”
HTH408 - 1.0 rating“Avoid her if possible”
HTH150 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
41%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.14 avg changeRatings by Course
HTH451HTH408
5.0
(1)HTH351408
4.0
(2)HTH451
3.4
(9)HTH408
2.5
(53)HTH351
2.4
(63)Difficulty by Course
HTH210
4.3
HTH351
4.3
HTH408
4.2
HTH351408
4.0
HTH150
4.0
Reviews (158)
I took an online class with her this summer so it's hard to say what she's like in person, but I did enjoy the class. She constantly stayed in touch with students via blackboard/email. For a condensed amount of time to teach, she wasn't very demanding at all with workU. I am taking HTH 451 with her this coming fall and am looking forward to it!
I would not recommend this professor at all. I had her at 8AM and I was one of the only ones in the class to participate and at the end of the semester she still did not know my name or who I was. For an intro 200 level class...there was way too much information and her expectations were way too high....not to mention the class was very boring...
Dr. Baller is a nice person, however, she makes her class impossible. We have to spend an extra hour every week participating in overcoming barriers, which should make the class 4 credits but it isn't. Her tests are impossible and her sections are worlds harder than the other professors.Great person, Impossible class and teaching style- avoid!!!!
project was bs, it was not practical to apply theories in that context. shes not very enthusiastic either, so learning is not fun and it makes it harder to study. she is smart and knowledgeable though
Professor Baller is incredibly intelligent; however, I feel as though she is a terrible professor. I have had Baller for several courses and have found that she is wildly unrealistic and much more difficult than other sections. She also instructs her courses as though every student will be attending graduate school. I would not recommend her.
I have had Baller for 2 classes. Generally go to class, pay attention, and turn work in on time. Class isn't all that hard but forces me to think. She's nice when I go to her office for help.
I wasn't excited to take this class, but I can honestly say I learned a ton. Dr Baller is tough but fair.
I LOVE DR. BALLER!! The material is difficult but shes sooo helpful. I was scared of her class but she WANTS you to learn, she's great.
Dr. Baller is very passionate about research which makes it easier to learn. I was not looking forward to the class prior to taking it and am glad I took it especially with her. She is very approachable and willing to help. She also is very down to earth. TAKE HER! :)
My favorite class this semester! It was not the easiest class, but looking back I can see how much I've learned. I wish I had taken Dr Baller for research - she makes class interesting.
Very tough... But she really makes you think... Wish you had a better understanding of your grades throughout the course but if you work hard you can get through her class.
Dr. Baller is very intelligent, however unless you are as intelligent as her, you will never know what is expected from you or your group. She has office hours but many times you leave with more questions than you came with. Avoid unless you're stuck and have to take it because EVERY other professor is 1000x easier.
Dr Baller is tough but I learned a lot in this class. The project is definitely work but I understand research way better and my writing improved.
Dr.Baller is not the easiest professor in the department,but she is willing to help those who put forth the effort.I learned so much from her. She will make you earn your grade. I LOVE her!!!
Definitely a VERY fair professor, willing to clear up any confusion. She's great to work with if you are willing to work with her. She loves to make jokes and genuinely cares about her students. I honestly enjoyed having her as a professor- HTH 408 was the second class I took that she taught.
Seems nice and like she teaches well but once you get the exam you need to know EXACTLY what she wants you to write otherwise you'll practically fail it. She is approachable and will tell you your mistakes on exams but won't do anything about it so it's completely pointless. Other professors are much easier. AVOID!
I took her class online this summer, and I've never been more confused about how she grades things. I turn in exams knowing I got everything right but it always comes back as an 80 something because it wasn't "her answer." Avoid if you can, because the material is not hard; she just makes it hard.
Listen to the audio lectures and do the practice sheets. Unfortunately I didn't do this until after exam 1. She was helpful and set an appt. to go over the practice sheet to make sure I was doing it correctly. The exam essays huge part of points so you pretty much have to do the practice sheets to do well.
She's awful. She's here for research and nothing else. She's made students cry in class by being pretty rude. DEFINITELY avoid. She makes you work for her research project. Your own research project counts for only a third of the final grade even though you & your group will spend hours a week working on it. Just avoid at all costs!
I would NOT recommend her for HTH 408 (research methods). She makes the project unnecessarily difficult, and she is not too helpful when you ask questions. All she cares about is her research. her exams are also very difficult and hard to finish within the class period. Overall nice person, bad professor.
Exam day - from the sounds of it my classmates didn't study. She gave us EXTRA CREDIT for volunteering on a research project, which should help them out if they didn't study. The class requires work, but for once I'm getting my moneys worth.
I took research and behavior change with Baller. Yes, her classes require group work, and no, it's not an easy grade. Study for the tests, and you'll be fine. I actually thought she was really nice, and helpful in office hours! No major complaints here.
Probably one of the worst teachers I have ever had here at JMU. She is not helpful at all in her office hours or in class. The textbook is just as useless as her and the tests are impossible. Take someone else.
She is very precise, doesn't like to be bothered in person or via email. This class is helpful for writing a research paper but very difficult with her pain in the neck grading.
Baller is an okay professor. It is not impossible to do well, however, it does irritate me that she doesn't give feedback on many of the assignments, so it is somewhat difficult to see how you are doing. The paper is not bad because we work on it throughout the semester.
Probably the worst professor I've had in college. She talks about nothing that's relevant to the class and if she does she doesn't explain it at all. The textbook doesn't match her lectures and the tests are impossible to study for.
This was my favorite class - I love Baller. I wasn't looking forward to taking this class but it was really interesting. She is tough but it is definitely possible to get a good grade with a little bit of work.
TAKE HER! It isnt the easiest class but looking back I can see how much I learned and look at things differently now. Challenging but I'm glad I took this class with her. It was definitely more interesting than I thought it would be
One of the best professors so far! This class pushed me but I am glad I took it with Baller. She gives precise instructions so make sure you follow them and you will do okay.
Class covered a lot of material but calender was clear and the amount of work was reasonable. She responded to questions quickly and was helpful.
Baller is probably one of best professor's I've ever had. She is very helpful, clear, and she really pushes you to become a better writer and overall student. The class is difficult but, an A is reachable if you work hard as a group and study thoroughly for her exams.
One of my favorite professors at JMU. I went to office hours a couple times to get help with the applications and it helped. High expectations but helps you get there.
Avoid if possible. Dr. Baller's teaching style was very frustrating. She flies through lectures and is very vague about her expectations. The tests are excessively difficult and do not adequately assess your knowledge of the material, but merely your ability to recall huge amounts of abstract terms unnecessary for future success in healthcare.
She is atrocious at teaching, and vitriolic in her demeanor. Expect to get marked off frequently on tests for not wording answers for questions exactly how she wants them worded. Expect her to grade inconsistently, favoring teacher's pet type students. Expect a massive workload in a class that has nothing to do with being a healthcare practitioner.
Dr. Baller is ok. For 408, you will be challenged but you will get a lot out of it. For 351, the tests are simple if you memorize all of the information and have enough common sense to apply that information. Honestly, both of these classes will not apply to pre-health professionals but they are still required. Go with someone else for 351.
This class is a pain, so much information is shoved into the 8-week section. She gives quizzes every class and they're only 4-5 questions, but there are many parts to each question that it's hard to finish in the time given. Exams are hard but fair. Not the nicest professor, she's good at making you feel dumb. Take the full semester if you can.
So rude. I had her online and her emails replying to questions I had made me feel stupid for asking. Very condescending and, like some other people said, is only focused on her research and doesn't really care about students. She's just rude.
Not only my least favorite professor I've had at JMU, but potentially the most heartless She pretends to care about and want to help with problems you have in class but is the least helpful and understanding staff member I've encountered at JMU. Avoid at all costs especially if you're a health studies student; she'll tell you the course is useless.
Not the easiest class and very stressful but if you work hard you'll be fine.
Wish I could go back and un-take her for this class. 1st exam was so specific, the highest grade was a C and the mean for the class was a 55. Right now I have a lower grade in this class than I got in Anatomy. Also, she talks down to us like we are freshman in high school.. I would take literally anyone else if I could.
This is an intro course at JMU and I received a lower grade in this class than I did in chemistry and anatomy. She's very unapproachable and rude if you try to speak to her. She talks down to the class and treats us like we're in high school. She also gives us the same spiel each class. Avoid her if possible.
Baller is very straightforward about her class and tells you how it is. She can be intimidating but most definitely wants the best for all of her students. She pushes you and challenges you to do well in her class. A lot of quizzes and reading; She is there to help.
By far the worst professor at JMU. Has zero respect for students and is not approachable. Doesn't teach in class stands in front and says "do you have any questions", when no one has any idea what were doing. It should just be offered online, because she posts online lectures. Take a different professor for 408.
Dr. Baller is such a respectable person and knows how to teach well. She has so much knowledge and is very to the point. 3 tests, which are from the readings and power points and easy assignments that boost your grade! Love her and think she pushes you to want to do better and learn for yourself.
Shes a really nice and respectable teacher. You need to work hard for her class because its a full fill in the blank test but shes not out to get you. Very straight forward and she really caring about her students actually LEARNING. would recommend taking the full semester version, the 8 week course is super fast and hard.
Dr. Baller was one of the worst Professors I've had at JMU. I love all of the other health professors, except her. She was rude, unapproachable and NEVER gave clear instructions for assignments. Her test were really hard and usually were on specific, seemingly irrelevant details from the book. DO NOT TAKE HER AS A PROFESSOR.
Her tests are all fill in the blank and short answer, so if you're not used to that you need to prepare early for each test. Definitely buy the textbook because doing all the readings will help you do well on both quizzes and tests. She is very willing to help both inside and out of class so go to office hours if you need help.
Very tough tests to which she gives no study guides for. The midterm being 35% and the final 45% of your final grade doesn't help much either. Oh, and I forgot to mention our class average for our midterm was 65% and the final was 75%, she also didn't curve. Wouldn't take unless you're already fairly knowledgeable or love studying medical terms.
avoid at ALL costs. will not explain assignments at all then grade them extremely hard. tests are ALL fill in the blank and short answer and will never help prepare for the test. cumulative final with no preparation with a study guide. makes powerpoints with minimal information. AVOID
All of the exams are fill in the blank of vocabulary. Even the cumulative final is all fill in the blank of vocabulary from 21 chapters + concepts. It's a pain, and people who I know that are taking the same class but taught by a different professor, are coasting in comparison to this class. Just save yourself the trouble. + material is worthless
All of her tests are fill in the blank. She has a cumulative final and even that is fill in the blank. She grades harshly on in class quizzes and tests. She also grades extremely harshly for each check point of your group paper. She was the hardest professor I have ever had at JMU. DO NOT TAKE HER AT ALL COSTS.
Dr baller is a cool person but her class is more difficult than it needs to be. All fill in the blank tests, 20 chapters of material, and a cumulative final. Will give out 0s for small errors. She made my entire class sit outside invididually and count pedestrians for 3 hours that had nothing to do with the class?? Shes funny but harsh.
Absolutely terrible! Worst HTH professor ever. Tests are 100% fill-in-the-blank. Her lectures are terrible (you are taught by the awful textbook). Her powerpoints have very little info on them, she might as well not have them. Avoid at all cost!!!
I was nervous when I saw I had Dr. Baller for HTH408 after reading reviews and tried to switch out, but I had a great experience with her. She is blunt and doesn't mess around, but that's why I enjoyed her. She won't coddle you, but if you put in effort, she will respect that and, in turn, do her best to help you succeed. I appreciated her class.
Her tests are all fill in the blank, but are extremely easy if you just study the lecture slides that she posts online. She rants about really pointless stuff during lecture and there are a lot of quizzes which are easy if you just go over stuff before class. When it comes to group papers, she is extremely difficult and not flexible AT ALL.
Her tests are all fill in the blank, extremely hard. It's hard to even receive a B on those. Very hard grader, and she does random unfair pop quizzes. A cumulative final thats literally impossible as well.
Didn't like her at first, but after being in her class for a while I really started to love her. She's harder than other 351 profs which is kind of annoying, but also it really prepares you for 408. You will need to study, but it is manageable. For tests, memorize powerpoints & know tables / charts that are in the textbook for that chapter.
med term is online with specific meeting times. They reformatted the class this semester and honestly made it harder. The mid term and final exam make up the majority of your grade, so if you don't do well on them, you won't do well in the class. the final had MAYBE 10 actual terms on it, while the rest was application. Read the textbook for sure
Dr. Baller is the very down to earth unlike some, and a very good person. At first you may not like her, but talk to her and you'll love her. The class is read heavy and she wants you to LEARN, people say its bs how its fill in the blank, but its easy if you read chapters and take notes. Taking her for another class because she is a great teacher.
Yes it is true HTH 351 with Dr. Baller is no easy take, BUT take her! You will grow so much as a student and she is so motivational. If you put in the work you can get the A you want. Tests are difficult, but I am a better studier because of this class. I would highly recommend getting the textbook, you'll need it.
Very hard grader even if you talk with her about things before submitting. Tests are hard and hard to finish in the allotted time. Def one of my least favorite professors.
harder than any other 408 professor and will probably insult you in some way before the semester is over. dont die if you have to take her but just be prepared to be annoyed and have tough skin. gotta memorize stuff like the back of your hand to pass the exams. baller if youre reading this, chill out girlfriend its not that deep
LISTEN TO ME. DO NOT TAKE HER FOR 408. I haven't been treated so petty since I got bullied on the playground in elementary school. I can always appreciate a tough course, but baller takes it too far. if youre into being demeaned and insulted take her class. oh also if you like failing take her class bc you probably will
I can appreciate a challenging class, but her class is uncalled for. Both sections are failing, and she gave everyone a 0 on a decent sized assignment. Tests are fill-in-the-blank and you will run out of time on them. I want to believe she cares for her students but her actions don't show it. Take anyone else, trust me
DOOO NOTTTTT take her!!!!!!! Her tests are all short answer and nearly impossible even when studying your ass off. If you go to her for office hours she doesnt help with her class. This is an easy class that was way too hard
DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS!!!! She is VERY tough at grading, big paper, quiz every class that's timed-if you didn't study before class you won't pass, exams are all fill in the blank, drop down choices, AND essay/short answer (there is barely enough time to finish her exams). Thank God this semester we're allowed to use credit/no credit, s/o corna
DO NOT TAKE! please, save yourself the time and energy and just take another professor. She makes this class unnecessarily hard with timed, complete fill in the blank/short answer exams that you can't even finish even if you study and feel prepared. There are also timed quizzes every class and a group paper that is graded very difficult - avoid!
This class taught me how to study. I wasn't sure about her at first but now she is probably my favorite prof so far! Read the chapter before class and the quizzes are easy. The test are not multiple choice but they weren't that hard if you study and do the chapter questions.
she was 100% dropped on her head as a child she has no remorse or empathy. exams are nearly impossible and then she insults the entire class when everyone fails. this class didnt prepare me for the real world, grad school or any other bs she claims shes preparing us for. thank god its over i feel like i got out of an abusive relationship
STAY CLEAR OF THIS CLASS! This was the hardest class I have taken at JMU. No joke anatomy was easier than this. She is so unclear, her power points don't make sense, she speeds through her lectures, and doesn't go through half the stuff on her power points. The test are all fill in the blank and nearly impossible, painful. Save your GPA and avoid.
If you are thinking of taking Baller for 351, RUN! Biggest mistake of my life. Her tests are literally impossible (90% short answer), the lectures are not helpful at all, and the assignments are harder than necessary. Pls just trust me and take any other teacher. I rarely get B's in classes (mostly A's) yet here I am praying for a C. AVOID HER
This has been one of the worst classes I have ever taken. The teacher shows no interest in teaching the class since it is all online. Midterm and final are worth a HUGE percent of your grade. The final is 55%. So, even if you work hard all year and do well on every quiz but do poorly on either the midterm or the final, you will not be happy.
Dont take. Ok, it is an online class but you do not hear from this lady unless shes making an announcement on Canvas about how hard the midterm/final is which are the only things that will move your grade. I emailed her ONCE and she rudely told me to read her announcement that did not address my question. Not really sure what shes paid for
take someone else if you can. She is very disrespectful in her emails, and that is if she responds. Baller has been the most rude professor I have had at JMU. There are quizzes that are worth little to none for your grade and a midterm and final that is majority. I don't know why there is even a professor for this class.
RUDE. That is all you need to know. Always harsh in emails. Makes you pay for a proctor service. I should not be paying full tuition PLUS additional fees to take a test that I would otherwise take for free in person. AVOID HER
Extremely rude lady. She dismisses your emails and treats you with no respect. She expects you to know everything and doesn't like to answer questions. If you can, TAKE SOMEONE ELSE. The worst professor i've had at JMU and many more can say the same thing.
The course is very challenging, but as long as you keep up with the material you can get an A!
Professor Baller doesn't fit the caliber to be a university professor, let alone someone in the teaching profession. She does not teach the class. It's all done via an AI reading slides. She doesn't create assignments or grade exams, only answers questions via email, condescendingly. By far the worst professor I've ever had, unbelievable...
Professors can be strict, harsh, and make things difficult. I understand that. But Stephanie Baller is all of those things and more. Not only is her teaching method nonexistent, but her communication with her students is rude and unhelpful. She makes stressful classes more stressful, and will remain absent the whole semester. Avoid at all costs.
I don't know what her course was like pre-COVID, but her presence was essentially non-existent aside from announcements about the midterm and final. She has weekly quizzes that do nothing to help your grade and it's very heavily dependent on the midterm and final. Her class is entirely online and the powerpoint is straight from the book verbatim.
Professor Baller has been the worst professor I have ever encountered in my college career. She sets you up for failure having the mid term count for 40% of ur grade, final for 55% and homeworks for 5%. Let me remind you these homeworks are weekly LENGTHY quizzes about 50 questions each. She doesnt care how her students do. Awful!!!! Avoid her!!
literally the worst professor at JMU. She is nothing but rude in her emails and does not want you to succeed. Please either take this class with a different professor or at a community college to get the grade you like. Ms. Baller should not be a teacher, she is the complete opposite of how a teacher should act towards her students. AVOID.
took her during fall of 2020. the whole class was online and she did absolutely none of the teaching. all we had access to were powerpoints. this whole class is teaching yourself the material and her being snotty whenever you email with questions. DO NOT TAKE.
This class was unnecessarily difficult. Be ready to memorize an entire textbook on your own. Any email responses or announcements were very disrespectful and condescending toward students. Almost your entire grade relies completely on the midterm and final. If you are looking to get a good grade in this course, do NOT take this professor.
i got an A in the class but i dont recommend taking her unless its ur only option. the midterm is worth 38% of ur grade and the final is 55% (which is cumulative). and u HAVE to make notecards and read the textbook or u wont pass!
This class was a lot of memorization and the lack of communication or aid from Dr. Baller didn't help at all. Not only were the lectures powerpoints, the biweekly quizzes do nothing to help your grade and the final is worth 55% of your grade. Quizzes were muted after taking them so you couldn't use those to study and she's very rude over email.
By far the worst professor at JMU. Avoid at all cost. please listen to this review. Save your GPA. She is rude and likes to brag about how poorly her students do in her class. You are only graded on your mid term and final. She gave an ultimatum of paying for ProctorU or going to the testing center to take exams in a global pandemic.
She offers hardly any guidance and posts slides with up to 198 pages and expects us to memorize everything. The weekly quizzes barely help your grade and the midterm and final determine your grade. There is no extra help such as projects, homework, or extra credit. She made a tough semester even harder. She was the least interactive prof ever.
I thought a professor was someone who taught? She didnt teach us once or give us any advice/help for the midterm and final. The quizzes dont affect your grade in the slightest bit. Do not take her.
The final is taken on something called proctorU that messed with my computer so bad that to this day, the settings they messed up have not gone back to normal. She expects you to take 3 quizzes a week that have like a 7% impact on your grade and the rest is the midterm, and the heaviest (the final). The class isn't med term - it covers anatomy alot
Dr. Baller is solely responsible for my loss of faith in the higher education system. She is vindictive and extremely judgemental. She has ZERO empathy for anyone and is absolutely fine with making her students miserable. During my two semesters with her (had no choice), my anxiety was off the charts. Run far, far away.
I heard this class was the same online and offline but I only had it online and we got sent lecture notes on canvas. there's weekly quizzes on these notes and EVERYTHING is fair game on these quizzes. She gives you two chances on them but the midterm and final are extremely hard. You will HAVE TO study regularly if you want to pass. NOT AN EASY A
She honestly does the most. She says a lot of out of pocket disrespectful things, VERY judgmental. Theres really a lot to say about her but not enough space her to tell all. All i can really say to get the point across is, if you have a choice NOT take her, pls DON'T TAKE HER.
Dr. Baller was my favorite professor at JMU! Her classes are NOT an easy A... but if you work to build a relationship and engage in class, success is VERY possible! She definitely makes you work for it and you will have to study but Dr. Baller is very helpful, willing to listen and genuinely cares about her students! And shes HILARIOUS!
tbh this class is self taught, but thats with all the other professors too. she doesn't teach, you have to yourself and there are only 3 grade, final, midterm, and quiz. Don't take this class (HTH210) unless you have too
I took her online class and was surprised that she never held a single zoom class. The tests are pretty easy, but if you have 0 self discipline this class will be a nightmare. She has weekly quizzes that are worth nothing (7%), the midterm worth 38%, and a final worth 55% of your overall grade. You're basically teaching yourself the information.
Literally one of the meanest individuals I have ever met. She is incredibly rude and could possibly be the reason why I wont graduate on time. Might have to repeat this class because of her insane grading and difficult work. If you take anything from this thread, DO NOT TAKE HER.
DO NOT TAKE. She hardly teaches, and grades as if you are professional researchers. You will definitely run out of time on tests b/c the questions are SUPER involved and application heavy, plus it's all open ended and 'mark all that apply.' I have a 3.7 GPA and have never received a C in any of my major classes but I will be lucky if I get that.
This was the worst professor I have had in the 4 years at JMU. She is rude, not willing to help you, and grades way too difficult. The exams are ridiculously hard, you won't even have enough time to finish. She was not willing to work with my group or myself at all, and gave a oh well attitude about it. I have never been so stressed about a grade.
RUN never written a review before but I just HAD TO. My GPA is a 3.5 BTW. - Makes us take quiz@8am every Mon/Wed while she is prob. asleep, what is her purpose? - NEVER seen her face, we wake up to take a quiz, that's class for us. - Midterm+cumu Final ur grade, so the quizzes u took twice a week @ 8am is just bs, doesn't help ur grade at all
I should've listened to the reviews.. she expects so much from her students! Expects u to know the book front to back, I did better in Chem and Bio than I did in this class. She is also VERY discouraging and rude, for someone who doesn't even show up to do their job! I regret taking her so much.. save your GPA, listen to the reviews, don't take!!!!
I'm sure professor Baller means well, but her teaching is not good. Maybe for students who super smart and can teach themselves but other students need instruction too. she locks her grades which is really unfair, I regret taking her and I should've read these comments before signing up for the class. Please don't take
It is actually kind of concerning how she's a professor. She makes her exams really specific and doesn't tell us what to focus on when studying. it almost feels as if she wants you to fail. I feel like times are so tough right now for students specially mentally that this class just added more stress at the fact that I might have to retake it.
THE MOST unempathetic professor @ JMU. Grades aren't viewable and routinely marked me absent when I clearly was in class. Rude thru email but when confronted face to face she switches up her attitude. Also, try not to have an emergency/extenuating circumstance bc she doesn't GAF. Marks work down 1/2 the grade if 1 assignment missing/incomplete.
Hardest class I've ever taken. You are expected to know every word of every sentence for exams that are mainly short answer, fill in the blank, matching, and application style questions. She's so picky when it comes to grading and does not even try to help students with improving their grade.
She hides your grade so I have no idea what my grade is. She tries to come off as cool and "easy" but she is rude! Makes every assignment hard. She will show you something in class that is easy but then the assignment correlated to it does not make any sense. I RATHER GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT than see this woman again she absolutely sucks STAY AWAY
I have her for my health behavior change class and now I have a nicotine addiction because she gives me so much anxiety (my friends laugh at me for this, ITS NOT FUNNY). Somebody get this woman take a chill pill she is always going 100 mph
I would avoid her. You are better off learning the course material indepentently from just reading studies. Not gonna help your gpa compared to other instructors. She isn't the kindest either. also has incredibly silly opinions that aren't evidence based, despite how much she postures to be serious about evidence based beliefs.
I cried in my car in the parking lot for half an hour after i finished the final. Don't take. The final was literally something that we had never seen before.
Her class is not as bad in my opinion as people make it out to be, however she is an unnecessary tough grader and has difficult pop quizzes. I was lucky to get an A and other professors make the class an easy A. Avoid if possible. As others said she is quite blunt at times to the point of rudeness and is not at all lenient even in emergencies.
Do not take for HTH 408. Grades harshly and does not provide adequate guidance for how specific she likes things to be. Difficult and unclear homework assignments. Pop quizzes most weeks, which are difficult for no reason. The course material is easy, but this professor will twist sentences to try to confuse the class during graded assignments.
Professor. Baller caused me so much unneeded stress before I ended up withdrawing. She ended up making homework out of 5 points but if you didn't do it exactly right you would get a 0. She also graded them all on the same day as well so you didn't even get feedback on them. Overall avoid at all costs your GPA will thank you later.
You will get a bad grade when you follow the rubric with no explanation. Whole class is structured around a 10 page group project which is all research. Save yourself and your transcript and avoid at all costs. Other teachers who teach HTH351 create a better learning environment and make the class more enjoyable. You cannot win with Dr. Baller.
Overall Baller has definitely been the hardest health sciences professor yet. She cares about her students but she makes the class way harder than other professors. I have heard avoid her at all costs for any class, and that is true.
AVOID FOR REAL! I read these reviews, however, I decided to be super optimistic and take this class with her. I should have listened. She has a HUGE ego issue and loves to take her insecurities out on undergrad students. This class is going to give me a hernia from being so stressful. I wish I could have withdrawn but I need to graduate!! Terrible.
Dr. Baller is an expert in her field, but she doesn't know how to dumb it down for students to understand. She expects her students to be on professional levels regardless of experience. Her tests are entirely fill in the blank with only a mid term and a final that are 60% of your grade. She gives vague answers to questions and is unhelpful
Do not take Professor Baller if you can help it. I am a diligent student. I saw her ratings and gave her a chance regardless. Her homework assignments were complicated, she was passive aggressive, her tests were extremely difficult, and she always answered emails rudely. I studied every single day for her class and ended up with a B. AVOID
I LOVE BALLER! I had her for HTH 351 and 408. She is a hard grader and her exams are difficult but it's because she actually wants you to learn the material and not just memorize!! She cares deeply about her students and loves what she does and it shows in class. Do the work and you will enjoy this class and appreciate her as a professor!
DO NOT TAKE!! Can't stress that enough! I've had her for 2 diff classes, she has her moments of niceness but overall is not helpful. We asked for help, she wouldn't & then would grade us poorly. She does not teach well. Her exams are insanely difficult. Fill in the blank for the most obscure things, short answer and matching. Hardest HTH prof/class
Teaches like we are professionals, holds us to high standards, which I appreciate but she is extremely hard. She doesn't dumb it down for students and when you ask for clarification she is vague, unhelpful & rude. When going over exams she just summarizes it for you & doesn't show you. Exams are weighted heavy and she does not prepare you for them
Avoid taking any class with her at all costs. I am very serious. She is the least empathetic instructor I have had here. Told me to take medical leave when I got COVID, because she wouldn't let me turn work in late or give an extension. Didn't think that missing class for Doc appt. qualified me for an extension- I had a note. Very rude, huge ego.
DON'T TAKE BALLER! She made the class so difficult my entire group almost dropped out. She treats her students like idiots and became irritated/rolled her eyes when we didn't understand or asked questions. The only thing I left her class with was a trauma bond with my group members. Save yourself from the stress and tears and don't take her class.
absolutely horrible. Worst professor at JMU. Do not take. I can't stress this enough.
DO NOT TAKE! Dr. Baller might be the worst professor I've ever met. She does not teach you anything and made the class way harder than it should be (and way harder than the other professors). Extremely unhelpful and condescending whenever you ask a question. Terrible experience in the class and no idea why she became an educator.
Worst professor I've ever taken at JMU. Not empathetic or understanding. So arrogant and thinks she knows everything. NO multiple choice for any of the 5 exams. As random questions on exams that we never covered. Requires hand written notes from text book chapters. Not enough time to type everything on exams. Voice makes my ears bleed.
You absolutely have to go to this class. Every time you miss, she deducts 10 points off of your final grade. There are only two exams... 30 questions all fill in the blank or short answer. They are impossible to pass. She will tear your project to pieces and then not help you fix it.
Absolutely do NOT take, worst professor I have ever had. There are 5 exams, all open ended question, they are impossible to do good on. The final is cumulative and there are 21 chapters... Questions on exam are so irrelevant and difficult and she gives no warning or any help to even know what to study. Also makes you handwrite pages of notes.
These reviews make me mad. I love Dr. Baller and this class prepares you for future higher level courses. Some homework assignments are time-consuming, but doing them helps you do well on tests. She gives great feedback if you ask her for help. She also gives useful life advice/career advice. Plenty of extra credit opportunities too.
Dr. Baller is a very nice woman but she made this class wayyy harder than it needed to be. She also just switched to giving 5 test throughout the semester so at some points you have a test ever two weeks. Additionally, her test are all fill in the blank, matching, and short responses with no multiple choice and she is a harsh grader on the test.
I really tried to like her and ignore the reviews. Five extremely hard exams. Worth a lot of points, all fill in the blank. Hand written notes graded every week. She is extremely rude and condescending when asking for help. Briefly goes over material, class genuinely was a waste of time. Half the time she talks about how good at college she was.
Yall are way too harsh. The class was challenging but its a 400-level. you should expect that. Dr B is particular but also super helpful and welcomes questions. She responded to just about every email (and I sent alot) in under 10 min with great feedback and was happy to do it. she definitely prepared me the best for future research
You'll be fine as long as you don't get sick or have any kind of life event. She is literally the worst, most rude and condescending professor at JMU. Good luck!
I like to give professors the benefit of the doubt when it comes to ratings, but these are true. All exams are fill in the blank. Her lectures are max 10 slides that she skips through. Basically 75 minutes of unsolicited life advice and telling us we are unprepared for upper division classes and life post-grad. Save your GPA and take someone else
Dr. Baller is one of my favorite professors at JMU. She is so caring about her students and is incredibly knowledgeable about everything she teaches. Everyone on here who complains about her just doesn't want to work hard. The course was mostly learning through the textbook and real-life discussions in class. I specifically chose her for 408. 10/10
Dr. Baller's class is incredibly challenging, with 5 tough exams and hand-written notes required. However, if you put in the work, you can do well. The lectures are dry, but the material is valuable. unstuck AI was a huge help for my exam prep.
Dr. Baller gets a lot of hate but she is incredible and really cares about her student's success and prepares you for the future. I originally wanted a different professor and ended up having to take her class but I'm so glad. This class can be tough but she is so helpful and breaks things down to make it easier. I would 100% recommend taking her.
I LOVED Dr. Baller!! Yes she is tough, but in the end you see why!! I flunked the mid-term, but learned the style she wrote her final and ended up getting a B on her final! She also has you take the final a month before finals which is so nice because the last month of class is a breeze. Definitely hard, but so worth it.
SHE BARELY LECTURES! IF YOU HAVE RATED HER A "GREAT" REVIEW... YOU ARE A MEATRIDER AND YOU ARE LYING!!! I hope those pepsi's and dr.peppers catch up to her. That is why she always has an attitude. It's because she is FULL OF AIR. Those carbonated drinks btw. DO NOT TAKE. SHE WILL FLOAT TOO. IM PRAYING FOR YOU ALL. PLEASE PRAY FOR US.
The material shouldn't be this hard but she wants to make it hard. She grades terribly and says she wants you to succeed but really doesn't. She has high expectations as if she was perfect. Her tests are all fill in the blank…
I understand her ratings being bad; she is a difficult professor, but you get out of the class the effort you put into it. She's knowledgeable about what she teaches and cares about what you learn. She wants you to be a good student. I enjoyed taking her class.
HTH 408 is a 400 level health science class. Yes, it is going to be hard and yes you are gonna have to do a lot of work no matter the professor. Baller does not let yo cut any corners, but I learned more in this class than I have in any other health science course. She cares about her students and wants everyone to do well.
Baller was tough on us but she was ALWAYS willing to help and if you take bluntness as being rude- you aren't ready for the real world! Her main goal throughout HTH 408 was to help us in any way she could to complete our project and in the process LEARN about our research. Midterm and final are hard, but if you study you'll be fine :)
i took hth351 hw had to be written and turned in every week as well as a canvas quiz. midterm, 2nd exam, and final exam. She's nice but too much work. She grades attendance, mostly discussion/application-based classes. exams are hard but if you go to class you'll probably be fine. i dont recommend.
Ballers classes arent easy, but she has changed every aspect of how I learn. Her tests are fill-in-the-blank, but if you write what she says during lectures along with the slides, you will do just fine. She is so personable and dedicated to students who ask questions and are active in their learning. I promise she is worth taking.
Dr. Baller gets a lot of hate, but she cares about her students. Chapter notes due at the beginning of most weeks along with an online quiz with unlimited attempts. Exams are mainly fill in the blank/written interventions but the lowest I got on one was an 87. Participate in class and do the work outside and you will be fine!
This class was one of the most difficult I have taken at JMU, nonetheless, it is possible to succeed. Dr. Baller challenges her students to comprehend and apply what she teaches. Overall I believe she made me become a better student/pick up better study habits. If you put in effort and actively pay attention in class, you will do well.
Ngl HTH 408 was probably the most demanding class I've ever ver taken at JMU. Dr.Baller is definitely a tough professor but tbh this class has more to do with the type of student you are (especially in groups) rather than the type of professor she is. If you procrastinate, don't communicate or don't carry your own weight in groups, you're cooked.
She tries to make the class harder than it should be, so it was hard to engage in her class.
Terrible. Made us hand write our notes and submit them. Grades hard but doesn't tell you what you did wrong. Passive aggressive.
DO NOT TAKE. I REPEAT DO NOT TAKE. Outside of class and this course she is nice but for you mental and emotional wellbeing just don't take this women. Some people really like her and thats awesome but if you like a professor that will actually explain and not just assume you know things then take someone else.
I always work very hard towards my classes, even when the professors are not as receptive professionally. This professor has the highest ego I have ever seen and expects us to learn as if we are Grad students. I knew this class would be historically tough, but never I have thought I would be fighting between fail and not fail. Do not take...please.
I truly do not understand the negative reviews, 408 is a tough class in general and Baller will get you absolutely ready. I felt prepared and supported all semester. If you are reading this take Baller. You won't regret it.
She's a great person and seems to genuinely enjoy and care. The exams were tough, and you don't get to see feedback on what you did well and not. I'd recommend taking this with a different professor. I spent so much time studying and still didn't do great, whereas people with different professors did well without doing nearly as much.
Rudest professor I've ever had. Makes me want to cry every class. She does not care about feelings or if you succeed. Doesn't teach anything just makes you teach yourself and makes you feel stupid in class. Tests are impossible to pass because she grades based on her own opinions. Take anyone else unless you want to punish yourself.
This class is great preparation for grad-school, but Dr. Baller made this experience miserable. Our group asked several questions about our project and she'd give minor direction and unclear feedback. During grading, she'd comment on things that were never mentioned to us for improvement. So confusing and absolutely miserable to work with.
Baller is honestly my worst nightmare. The exams were all short-answer and worth different points. I do not think she wants her students to pass. The power trip is insane. Just don't take this class; she turns it into rocket science, and it is literally a simple health class. I have nightmares.
I would recommend taking this class if you actually hate yourself. So unnecessarily hard for a class where the concepts are close to common sense. Very harsh grader and even worse lecturer. Save yourself a headache and look for anyone else to teach this course.
Honestly I try to empathize with her because I think she has the right intention, but she can just be straight passive aggressive. It's in a "I'm trying to prepare you" way, but I honestly don't know many people who speak as harshly as her. You can study for however much you want, but you will not get a 100% on any of her exams.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
41%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.14 avg changeRatings by Course
HTH451HTH408
5.0
(1)HTH351408
4.0
(2)HTH451
3.4
(9)HTH408
2.5
(53)HTH351
2.4
(63)Difficulty by Course
HTH210
4.3
HTH351
4.3
HTH408
4.2
HTH351408
4.0
HTH150
4.0