You are considered a second bachelor’s/post-bachelor applicant if:

  • You’ve completed an undergraduate degree AND
  • You wish to begin a new undergraduate degree or complete additional undergraduate course work for career enhancement or graduate/professional school preparation AND
  • You’ve never attended CSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate student

Refer to our Returning Student information if you previously attended CSU as an admitted, degree-seeking undergraduate, even if you completed your first degree at CSU and now wish to start a new degree at CSU.

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There are several steps you’ll need to take to be ready to enroll after you’re admitted, so early application is encouraged. If you’re currently completing your first undergraduate degree, apply during your final semester of enrollment.

  • Fall Semester (August start): June 1
  • Spring Semester (January start): November 1
  • Summer Session (May start): March 1

After these dates, applications are considered on a space-available basis.

We’ll consider a range of factors in reviewing your application for admission, including:

Successful completion of your first undergraduate degree

  • Only one academic term can be “in progress” or pending at the point of application, so apply during your final semester if you’re currently finishing your first degree.
  • Admission is provisional until we receive a final, official transcript reflecting degree completion.

Eligibility for your selected major

  • All majors at Colorado State are open to second bachelor students with the exception of Biomedical Sciences.
  • Your second degree major cannot duplicate your first undergraduate degree major. For example:
    • Our College of Business offers only one major, a BS 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 BA in Art, you are eligible only for the BFA 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.
  • You should speak with the academic department of interest about the possibility of pursuing graduate admission if there is potential duplication.
  • Admission to a limited number of more competitive majors may require additional course work and/or a higher grade point average or may not be available to second bachelor’s candidates.

Your overall academic performance

  • A minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA is required to be considered for admission.
  • Trends in grades are important. If you have inconsistent or downward trends in grades, if you participated in a grade forgiveness option at a prior institution, or if you have extensive repeat/delete course work, provide more information in the “Academic Explanation” section of the application.
  • Grades of D and F do not constitute successful completion and courses will not transfer.

Within the application for admission, select the “Second Bachelor” applicant type. (Note: You are considered a Returning Student if you previously attended CSU as an admitted, degree-seeking student.)

Application requires a $50 application fee or request for fee waiver in the presence of documented financial hardship. You’ll be prompted to pay your fee or request a waiver as soon as you submit your 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.
  • You are encouraged to submit an official transcript from other colleges/universities you’ve attended if you are applying for a competitive major and meet the entrance requirements with course work completed somewhere other than your degree-awarding institution.
  • You are not required to submit a transcript for a degree earned through Colorado State University (Fort Collins) (be sure to apply as a Returning Student in this case!).

Once you’re admitted, you will be awarded up to 90 general transfer credits; we will 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.

Submission of a personal statement (essay) is optional and can be particularly helpful if there are additional circumstances you wish to address that are not captured by the application.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Most students will receive a decision within four weeks after submitting a complete application with required documents.

Within 1-3 days after submitting your application, you’ll receive instructions to check the status of your application online.

Check your email and online status regularly. All status updates and final decisions are sent by email.

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