Undergraduate Students Earning a Second Degree

Undergraduate students who have earned a bachelor's or associate degree from Charter Oak State College, or from another regionally accredited college or university, may matriculate at Charter Oak State College to pursue a second degree. The second degree must be in a different field of study from the first one. Persons seeking admission for a second bachelor's degree must obtain approval from the Director of Admissions before submitting an application for admissions. To obtain approval, submit an email to the Director of Admissions explaining the rationale for the request and how the second degree will differ from the first.

To earn a second degree, with a major in General Studies, a student must:

• obtain approval from the Director of Admissions;
• for a bachelor’s degree,  earn a minimum of 30 semester credits subsequent to the award of the initial/most recent degree; 15 of which must be upper level in the new concentration;
  • apply no more than 9 credits from the previous degree earned to the new concentration; and
• for an associate’s degree,  earn a minimum of 15 semester credits subsequent to the award of the initial/most recent degree, and
• meet current general education and concentration requirements.

**Students who have already received a bachelor's degree in General Studies are not eligible to receive financial aid for a second bachelor's in General Studies.

To earn a second baccalaureate degree in a major other than General Studies, a student must:

• obtain approval from the Director of Admissions;
• earn a minimum of 30 semester credits subsequent to the award of the initial degree; 15 of which must be upper level in the new major;
  • apply no more than 9 credits from the previous degree earned to the new major.
• meet current general education and major requirements.

Persons holding a Master of Arts or Master of Science, an advanced professional degree or an earned doctorate must also request approval from the Director of Admissions before applying for an associate or bachelor's degree. The College will allow credits  from a completed graduate program to be applied toward any Charter Oak undergraduate degree, major, or concentration. 

Note: The College's policy on undergraduate admission to a second degree program governs students who have earned their degree prior to matriculating at Charter Oak State College. For undergraduate students who wish to simultaneously seek a degree at Charter Oak State College and another regionally accredited college or university should review the Concurrent Degree Policy.