Second Bachelor’s Admissions
If you have completed an undergraduate degree and are looking for a second degree or want to take more undergraduate classes, Colorado State University welcomes you.
Expand on your bachelor’s degree or pursue a new career path at CSU. We provide opportunities to specialize your learning and fast-track your career. Join the 91% of CSU graduates who secured employment or continuing education within six months of graduation.
All majors at CSU are open to second bachelor’s students with the the following exceptions:
- Second bachelor’s students can not major in Biomedical Sciences.
- Your second degree major cannot duplicate your first undergraduate degree major. For example:
- Our College of Business offers only one major, a B.S. in Business Administration, with numerous concentrations. If you have an undergraduate degree in Business in any concentration, you are ineligible for a second degree in Business in any concentration.
- If you have earned a B.A. in Art, you are eligible only for the B.F.A in Art as a second degree.
- Majors in the College of Engineering are distinct programs of study and generally are not considered duplicates. For example, Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering are two different degree programs and thus acceptable for first and second degree combination.
If you have questions before or during the application process, your admissions counselor is ready to help!
Who's a second bachelor's applicant?
When to apply
The best dates to apply for admission are based on the semester you want to start at CSU. The application opens August 1 for the next year’s fall and summer semesters and in March for the next year’s spring semester.
Early application is encouraged. We recommend that you apply no later than June 1.
Early application is encouraged. We recommend that you apply no later than November 1.
Early application is encouraged. We recommend that you apply no later than March 1.
What we need
A complete application file consists of the CSU Application, which you will submit online, and the supporting materials listed below. You can submit these items in any order, and we will review your application once we receive all the required items.
Required materials
All second bachelor’s applicants use the online CSU Application to apply. Select the “second bachelor” applicant type.
Applicants who are not residents of Colorado must submit either a $50 application fee or application fee waiver if the fee presents a financial hardship.
You will be prompted to submit your application fee or waiver when submitting your CSU Application.
- You are only required to submit an official transcript from the college or university from which you earned your first (or most recent) bachelor’s degree.
- If you’re applying for a competitive major, you’re encouraged to submit an official transcript from any colleges/universities where your course work meets the major’s entrance requirements.
- You are not required to submit a transcript for a degree earned through Colorado State University-Fort Collins. You would apply as a Returning Student in this case.
Once admitted, you would be awarded up to 90 general transfer credits. We would not complete a course-by-course transfer evaluation. If you need to demonstrate prerequisites for courses you plan to take at CSU or if previous courses may apply to your second degree, you’ll work with the Registrar’s Office to submit the necessary documentation.
Optional materials
What we call a “personal statement” is also known as an essay. Submitting a personal statement is optional but can be helpful if there are additional circumstances you wish to address that are not captured by the application.
Your essay is your opportunity to help us understand what makes you unique beyond your grades and transcripts. It will be reviewed during your admission decision, for consideration if you apply to a competitive major, and for financial aid decisions.
The prompts you choose from are:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Who we look for
Every incoming class looks different, though every class reflects our commitment to maintain high academic standards and provide people of all backgrounds access to higher education.
What to expect
So what does the full application process look like? See the main steps and timeline for making it all happen.
- Complete your online application.
Completing the application typically takes 30-45 minutes, not including the time you may spend writing your personal statement and uploading supporting documents. If you have started but not finished your application, you can return to it. - Activate your electronic identity.
Within one to two days after you submit your application, you’ll receive an email with instructions to activate your electronic identity we call a NetID, which allows you to access your application status. - Check your application status and email inbox to ensure your application is complete.
Some applicants may be asked to submit more information, such as a new transcript, evidence of English proficiency, or an explanation of academic performance before receiving an admission decision. - Wait for your admission decision.
This is often the hardest part! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Most applicants will receive a decision within four weeks after submitting a complete application with all required materials. - Check your application status online or check your inbox for news and next steps.
We will notify you of our decision via your online application status and email only. Notifications generally fall into one of these categories:
Fully admitted
Applicants who are admitted into CSU and into the program of their choice.
Fully admitted: alternate major
Some applicants are admitted to CSU but placed in an alternate major or a related exploratory studies program instead of the competitive major they requested, either because they don’t qualify for direct admission or because capacity has been reached.
Not admitted
Applicants who are not offered admission are encouraged to apply as a transfer student in the future or ask for reconsideration with compelling new academic information. Learn more about your options.
START OR FINISH YOUR APPLICATION
You’re ready. Start your application. (Or come back to finish it!) And reach out to your admissions counselor with any and all questions you have. That’s what they’re here for!