Is a Second Bachelor’s Degree the Right Choice for You?

By: Kristen Carter
Contributor, Career Services

The National Center for Education Statistics stated the median earnings in 2013 for young adults with a master’s degree or higher was $59,600, which was 23 percent more than the median earnings for those with a bachelor’s degree. Although a master’s degree may seem like the logical next step in your academic journey, considering a second bachelor’s degree may be the right choice for you. Because there is not a black and white answer to this academic predicament, many students struggle with this very decision.

If you are looking to transition into a new industry or develop a new skill set (i.e. finance, language, computer, etc.), additional education is generally needed. Lack of industry experience may cause unfamiliarity with certain industry terminology, possibly making it difficult for you to adjust to a graduate program for a new industry. This is why some consider an additional bachelor’s program which allows you to learn the foundational principles of a new industry; whereas master’s coursework, in the same industry, may expect you to already know the basics.

Whether you are leaning one way or the other, I want to provide you with some tips to help you consider what is right for you.

1. Consider a certificate program. Find out if an additional degree is necessary or if an 18-credit certificate program in related coursework would be sufficient.
2. Talk with your institution. If you are looking to pursue a second bachelor’s degree at your alma mater, it may not be allowed if the coursework is too similar. You will also want to find out if you can be awarded two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the same university, or would you need to select a Bachelor of Science instead.
3. Ask about transfer credit. Consider the transfer credit that may be applied toward a second bachelor’s program. While initially it may seem like it would be quicker to complete a master’s program due to the lower number of credit requirements, it may even out, depending on what undergraduate coursework could apply to the second program.
4. Look into funding options. Your financial aid eligibility differs based on if you pursue a second bachelor’s degree versus a master’s degree. Do your due diligence and thoroughly investigate the financial aid options available to you for each program before deciding.
5. Check prerequisites. Certain master’s programs may require a completed undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area, or a series of prerequisite courses may be needed. You may be able to fulfill these requirements by taking on a few courses as a non-degree seeking student. Otherwise, an additional degree may be necessary depending on what positions you are looking into.

Keep in mind, obtaining a master’s degree in a field that does not require it does not mean that you are a shoo-in over other candidates who may possess only a bachelor’s level degree in the same subject area, particularly if they have the industry experience that you may be lacking. A degree, whether a second bachelor’s or master’s, never guarantees a position. Be sure to gain some experience within your interested industry to demonstrate you have applied your academic knowledge outside of the classroom.

[Related: Should you get a second bachelor’s degree or go for a master’s degree?]