How to Go Back to College for a Second Degree

If you’re considering heading back to school to get another college degree, you aren’t alone. Plenty of people do this every year, learning new skills, enhancing their knowledge and spending the time that it takes to get their schoolwork done knowing that it will pay off in the future. In fact, this is done so often that many schools have systems in place to help adult learners get enrolled and on the right path.

Wondering how it works? Here’s what you need to know.

You May Be Able to Transfer Credits

One of the best things about heading back to school is the fact that you may not need to take all of those general education requirements again. If you’ve successfully completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, then you most likely will qualify for post-baccalaureate status. This means that your general education courses from that degree will transfer over, in a way, preventing you from having to take them again.

The best thing about this system is that you can just focus on the courses that you’ll need for your second degree. You can dig right into the coursework and get your next degree in a shorter period of time.

Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree?

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to go for another bachelor’s degree or work on a master’s degree. Both are highly relevant, but it depends on what your first degree is in and whether or not you want to change fields altogether. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Bachelor’s Degree – If you’re switching topics entirely, for example, going from history to engineering, then you’ll need to get a second bachelor’s degree. This will provide you with the foundation for further study in the field.
• Master’s Degree – A master’s degree is a specialized line of study designed to teach you about a certain topic in depth. While some of these degree programs can be entered no matter what your bachelor’s degree is in (an MBA program comes to mind), others require the knowledge taught in a B.A. program first.

There are also student loans to think about. Since there are differing maximums on bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, if you’ve maxed out your bachelor’s degree availability, then you’ll have to go for a master’s degree. In some cases, your employer may pay for your education, in which case, it’s up to you and them to work out a plan.

Gather Your Paperwork

Applying for a second degree is fairly easy. You’ll need your transcripts, usually from high school and whichever college your initial degree was from. You may need some additional testing records as well, but it all depends on the school.

Consider Going to Dean College

If you want to head back to school and get a second college degree, consider applying to Dean College.

We have a small campus feel with all of the amenities of a larger school, so you’ll feel right at home. Plus, with so many full-time and part-time degree programs to choose from, you’re likely to find something that applies right here.