Policies for Second Degrees

Requirements for a Second Undergraduate Degree

Students are not permitted to be concurrently enrolled in more than one degree program at a time. After completing a baccalaureate or associates degree at South University a student may enroll in a second degree program.

Students enrolling in a second baccalaureate degree must earn a minimum of 64 credit hours beyond those required for the first degree, with a minimum of 244 credit hours total earned for both baccalaureate degrees. The student must also fulfill all degree requirements including all general education and program requirements.

Students enrolling in a second associate's degree must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours beyond those required for the first degree, with a minimum of 116 credit hours total earned for both associate's degrees. The student must also fulfill all degree requirements including all general education and program requirements.

Students enrolled in a second baccalaureate or associate's degree program are subject to the satisfactory academic progress, graduation requirements, and all other academic policies of that program.

Once the requirements for the second degree are completed, the official transcript will show both degree's completion date and a diploma will be issued for the second degree

Requirements for a Second Graduate Degree

Students are not permitted to be concurrently enrolled in more than one degree program at a time. After completing a graduate degree at South University a student may enroll in a second graduate degree program. Exceptions to this policy are outlined in the Second Graduate Degree Policy Concurrent Enrollment policy section.

Students enrolling in a second graduate degree must complete all requirements of the second-degree program. No more than 12 credit hours of previously earned coursework at South University may be applied towards a second graduate degree (except Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner).  Students enrolling into a second Master of Science in Nursing Degree see Second Master of Science in Nursing Degree under the Graduate Transfer of Credit Policy.

Students enrolled in a second graduate degree program are subject to the satisfactory academic progress, graduation requirements, and all other academic policies of that program.

Once the requirements for the second degree are completed, the official transcript will show both degree's completion date and a diploma will be issued for the second degree.

Exceptions to the Concurrent Enrollment in Two Graduate Degrees

Doctor of Pharmacy students may request simultaneous and independent enrollment in the Master of Business Administration in Health Care Administration degree program. Student eligibility requirements and program descriptions are provided in the corresponding degree program sections of the University Catalog.

Second Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) for Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Effective for the quarter beginning March 18, 2025.
The following courses will be accepted as block transfer:

• NSG5000 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse; Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice; NSG6101 Nursing Research Methods; NSG6002 Health Policy & Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice.
• Students are eligible to utilize prior course work taken at South University for the following courses (NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology; NSG6005 Pharmacology; NSG6020_A Advanced Health and Physical Assessment) only if they are completed within 5 years of matriculation into the program. Prior South University students meeting this requirement must pass NSG6021 within 6 months of matriculation.
• If the student is a practicing Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, or Certified Nurse Midwife,  who is currently certified in their area of specialty they are eligible to use TOC for the following courses; NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG6005 Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG6020_A Advanced Health and Physical Assessment, if the following criteria is met:
  • The student can choose to take the Advanced Practice Education Associated (APEA) 3P’s exam (competency based exam for Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Physical Assessement) within 6 months prior to admission.
  • The student must earn a minimum score of 67 on the exam.
    • If the student earns 67 or greater on the exam, the student will be eligible for review of transfer of credit for all 3P courses listed above and will be exempt from NSG6021.
• If the student earns less than 67 on the exam, all three courses must be repeated and passed regardless of the individual score earned on each section. The student will also be required to pass NSG6021 Pre-Clinical Evaluation if they are required to retake the 3P courses
• For FNP students, their 3P courses must be across the lifespan to be eligible to transfer.
• The majority of the second master's degree coursework must be completed at South University.  NSG6998 Transitions to the Nurse Practitioner Role and practicum courses are not eligible for transfer credit.

Second Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) for non-nurse practitioner programs: Nurse Educator, Nursing Informatics, Nurse Administrator

• The following courses will be accepted as block transfer:
  • NSG5000 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse: Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice; NSG6101 Nursing Research Methods; NSG6002 Health Policy & Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice.
• The majority of the second master's degree coursework must be completed at South University; Practicum courses, NSG6999 Graduate Project in Nursing are not eligible for transfer credit.