Earning a Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have already earned a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution may apply for admissions to a program leading to a second degree of the same level provided the following requirements are met:

• The major field selected is demonstrably different in curricula and objectives from that of the first degree.
• The applicant must meet the requirements for acceptance into selected fields (i.e. portfolio review for BFA admission).
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in their original bachelor’s degree.
• A maximum of 90 credits will be transferable from the first degree; the emphasis in determining transferrable credit is to fulfill General Education requirements. Credits taken at two-year or four-year schools after the first degree was awarded may be considered in the 90 transferable-credit maximum. Official transcripts from all schools attended are required.
• Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and CLEP exams that meet the minimum score requirements may be counted toward transferrable credits, but only official score reports submitted via the College Board or IB programs will be accepted.
• Students may not use units gained through Credit for Prior Learning options unless they are earned at Lesley. These units will be counted among the 90 transferrable credits.
• All new credits toward a second bachelor’s degree at Lesley University must be residential credits. Once admitted to Lesley University, a second bachelor's student may not take course work at another institution and transfer it back to Lesley University.
• Students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree must meet all undergraduate academic standards; second bachelor’s student who fail to maintain minimum academic standards will be subject to academic review.
• Certain programs may require higher GPAs and prerequisite course work. Please check with the appropriate department for more information.
• Second bachelor's students must meet major department requirements from the catalog under which they were officially admitted. Students have ten (10) years to graduate under that catalog.
• Students in a second bachelor’s degree program will be eligible for semester honors and/or Latin Honors if they meet the published criteria.
• Students in a second bachelor’s degree program are not eligible to apply for a dual-degree program at Lesley University.