Second degree undergraduate students

A page within Records and Registration

Transcripts
Registration
Quick Links

A second degree undergraduate student is a student that has successfully earned an baccalaureate degree, either at UWL or at another school, and is coming to UWL to earn a second baccalaureate degree.

When earning the second degree at UWL:

  • All general education requirements have been satisfied by students who have earned their first baccalaureate degree.
  • UW System policy requires that every student complete an ethnic studies course. If this was not done as part of the first degree, it must be fulfilled for the second degree.
  • Students cannot earn a second baccalaureate degree in the same major (different emphasis) as their first baccalaureate degree.

UWL graduates returning

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL and who subsequently becomes a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree must meet all core, professional and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. (Resident credits means credit registered for and earned through UWL.)

Graduates from another institution

Students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must meet all core, professional and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. (Resident credits means credit registered for and earned through UWL.)

How to apply

Apply to UW-La Crosse through the UW System Online Application.

  • At the "Do you have any college/post-secondary experience," select "I have earned or will earn a bachelor's degree before I enroll." 
  • At the "Are you looking to earn a bachelor's degree or graduate degree," select "Bachelor's Degree." The application will tell you you are a transfer/second degree student.
  • If the first degree is not from UWL, a copy of the official transcript with the awarded degree from the other school must be sent to UWL Admissions.
  • Students who have a bachelor's degree and desire to earn a second undergraduate major/minor or qualify for teaching certification - but do not need a full second degree - can apply as either non-degree seeking or a transfer/degree-seeking second degree. See the Second Major or Minor Policy listed below. They should also discuss the best option with the Deans' Office of the College that will have their second major or the School of Education if seeking teacher certification. They may also want to talk with the Financial Aid office about how this may impact financial assistance.
Next steps for admitted second degree students
 

Second major or minor policy

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL, who wishes to complete the requirements for another major and/or minor, must meet all professional and major/minor requirements. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript that an additional major/minor has been completed. Students with demonstrated evidence of a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution, who wish to complete the requirements for another major/minor at UWL, must enroll as a special non-degree student and fulfill all professional and major/minor requirements. If all required courses are earned in residence, a notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating an additional major/minor has been completed.

Seeking a second-degree vs. seeking an additional major or minor.

An additional major can be earned without fulfilling the requirements for a second degree. Thus, students do not have to be degree-seeking to obtain an additional major or minor, but they are required to be degree-seeking to earn another degree. 

Credits and approval

Students wishing to use credits from their first degree to fulfill requirements of a second degree must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which they are enrolled. 

Dean's office locations:
College of Business Administration: 1205 Wittich Hall
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities: 138 Wimberly Hall
College of Science and Health: 105 Graff Main Hall 
School of Education: 235 Morris Hall