Who is a Second Degree Student?

A second-degree student at IUP is a student who has already earned a bachelor's degree from IUP or any other accredited institution and is interested in pursuing a second bachelor's degree.

You must complete a minimum of 30 additional IUP credits beyond those earned in your initial bachelor's degree and meet the requirements for graduation established by the academic department and college in which the new degree is to be earned.

There are Three Types of Second Degree Students Who Attend IUP:

  • A student who has completed one bachelor's degree and wishes to pursue a second, non-certification bachelor's degree
  • A student who has completed a bachelor's degree and wishes to earn a first teaching certification
  • A student who has completed a bachelor's degree and teaching certification and wishes to earn a second teaching certification

If you are one of the first two types of second-degree students, you will apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students interested in earning a second teaching certification: please contact Kristen O'Hara at kaohara@iup.edu or 724-357-2789 for more information.

Application and Enrollment Steps

Students who are applying for admission to IUP as second-degree candidates must submit the following for consideration:

  • Application

  • College transcripts from all colleges attended

Second-degree students apply as transfer students, as we collect college transcripts and perform a credit evaluation. Once all pieces of the application are received, your file will go to the committee for review.

Admission is based primarily on academic performance from the previous institution(s) attended. You must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale from all post-secondary institutions attended, and you must meet the minimum requirements established by the academic department to which you are applying. Second-degree and transfer students share requirements for many specific programs.

See if your intended program has additional minimum requirements.

In addition, our admissions decision considers other evidence of student performance and the ability to be a successful student. If you have attended more than one school, we will calculate a combined cumulative GPA from all schools.

Once you are admitted to IUP, submit your $150 tuition deposit. Once received, we will provide you with information regarding your next steps for orientation, advisement and registration, and other key student service areas.

Use the Second Degree Advisement and Registration Information site to help you!