Policies for Second Degrees

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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.

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 Masters of Science in Nursing Degree (Family Nurse Practitioner) see Second Master of Science in Nursing Degree for Family Nurse Practitioner 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.

Second Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) for Family Nurse Practitioner

    • The following courses will be accepted as block transfer:
      • NSG5000 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse; Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice; NSG5002 Advanced Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing; NSG6101 Nursing Research Methods; NSG6002 Health Policy & Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice.
    • If greater than 5 years at the time of program entry (and the applicant is a practicing Nurse Practitioner who is currently certified in their area of specialty), the student can choose to take the Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) 3P’s exam (competency-based exam for Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Physical Assessment). If the student passes all three categories the corresponding portion of the 3P’s exam, they will be allowed to transfer the following courses (pending the review of previous course work): NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology; NSG6005 Pharmacology; NSG6020 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment.
    • The majority of the second master's degree coursework must be completed at South University; NSG6001 Advanced Nursing Practice I, NSG6999 Graduate Project in Nursing, NSG6998 Transitions to the Nurse Practitioner Role and practicum courses are not eligible for transfer credit.