Second Bachelor’s Admissions

Students sit in a semicircle tables in classroom

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. You can utilize second bachelor’s enrollment even if you do not intend to complete a full second degree.

All majors at CSU are open to second bachelor’s students, though 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?

Apply as a second bachelor's applicant if: 1) You have completed an undergraduate degree. 2) You want to complete a second degree* or complete additional undergraduate coursework for career enhancement or graduate/professional school preparation. 3) You’ve never attended CSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate student or completed your degree at CSU. You will apply as a returning student if you have graduated from CSU.

*All majors at CSU are open to second bachelor's students, but your second degree major cannot duplicate your first undergraduate degree major.

When
to Apply

What
we need

Who
we look for

What
to expect

Start
or finish

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. After June 1, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis, though scholarships may not be available. The last day to apply is July 15.

Early application is encouraged. We recommend that you apply no later than November 1. After November 1, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis. The last day to apply is December 30.

Early application is encouraged. We recommend that you apply no later than March 1. After May 1, applications are considered on a rolling basis, though fall entry is encouraged. The last day to apply is July 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 $65 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 may be awarded up to 90 general transfer credits. Regular academic courses from colleges or universities that are fully accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a grade of C- or better are considered for transfer. Coursework that is remedial or vocational/technical in nature will not be transferred. 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

You’re welcome to provide information about circumstances that have impacted your trends in grades or enrollment history. This may be particularly helpful if you are applying to an academic area in which you previously have struggled. The Academic Explanation plays a very small role in the review of second bachelor’s applicants.

Who we look for

Generally, students who have successfully completed a first bachelor’s degree and are seeking a major that does not duplicate their first degree can be admitted to CSU.

What to expect

So what does the full application process look like? See the main steps and timeline for making it all happen.

  1. Complete your online application.
    Completing the application typically takes no more than 30 minutes, especially if you do not need an Academic Explanation. If you have started but not finished your application, you can return to it.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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! 

GO TO THE CSU APPLICATION