Earning a second degree from the School of Arts and Sciences represents a substantial commitment whether your first degree is from a unit of Rutgers or another institution. If you have considered ALL of your options, and have determined that a second bachelor’s degree is needed to achieve your professional objectives, you’ll need to plan your coursework carefully.

What are the requirements for a second degree?

Irrespective of where (or when!) your first degree was earned, you will need to complete a minimum of 30 credits as an SAS student at Rutgers. In addition to satisfying all the requirements of a major, you must complete at least three courses (3 credits or more each) in liberal arts field(s) unrelated to your new major. Courses taken for your first degree may not be used to meet the liberal arts requirement.

What majors are available to second degree candidates?

Majors offered through the liberal arts departments of the School of Arts and Sciences can be completed by second degree candidates. Please note that the professional degrees and majors (Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering and the School of Business) are not open to SAS second degree students.

Do I need to complete a minor?

No. Second degree candidates are responsible only for the nine credits of liberal arts courses unrelated to the major. That being said, if you do elect to complete a minor, it will serve as your liberal arts requirement.

How do I find out about my major requirements?

Visit the website of the academic department that oversees your intended major (see List of Majors and Minors). Print out all materials relevant to the major requirements, and meet with a departmental advisor to generate a preliminary academic plan. Get a sense of how many courses are required for the major, and whether or not certain courses have pre-requisites or need to be taken in a particular order.

When will I be allowed to register?

Continuing second degree students register as students with senior status (“90 credit day”). New students may register after their prior relevant coursework has been reviewed. If your first degree was not from Rutgers, and you intend to take courses with a math pre-requisite, you may be asked to take a math placement test.

What if a class is closed?

You may find that a class you want is closed. You have two options. You can choose a different class, or you can try to get into the one that is closed by contacting the individual department. Procedures for special permission vary considerably, so you should check the department’s webpage first.

If you are coming from an institution other than Rutgers, you may also be asking….

Will I get a transfer evaluation, and when?

As a second degree student, you will receive a “lump sum” of 90 degree credits. We will list on your Rutgers transcript only courses taken for the first degree which would serve as pre-requisites for courses you intend to take at Rutgers. This is necessary in order to facilitate your registration. Credit will not be assigned to individual courses taken for the first degree.

Do I need to attend “STAR” days?

NO! “STAR” days, or Students in Transition Advising and Registration Days are designed to meet the needs of first degree candidates. Since their degree requirements are very different from yours, you would find the sessions more confusing than helpful.