If you have graduated w/ a BA from a UC & decide you want to go back to that specific UC or another UC for...?

Question

another Bachelors, then do the credits from your first Bachelors transfer. In other words, do I get to skip the general education requirements when I get my second Bachelors, and do the classes that I have taken in my past Bachelors (such as microeconomics) count towards my new Bachelors, in say, business? Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

I was in your shoes not too long ago and I have done extensive research on the subject. By UC, I am assuming you are referring to the UC system in California. After I graduated from UCSD and worked for a while, I was looking for a career change so I was considering going back to school in another field. It turns out that except in very few special circumstances, and I do mean in very few, UCs do not accept students for a second BA. The reason I was told was because since the UCs are so impacted, they want to give first timers a chance. This is a UC-wide policy.

Before you look at other options, you should really contemplate on why you want a second BA. Most people will tell you that it makes more sense to get a Masters instead. However, if you are changing your career into sciences or engineering, second BA may not be a bad idea, especially if you are planning on going further into your studies.

One option you have is to enroll as an extension student at any of the UC campuses and take regular classes. If your goal is to take some courses to improve your GPA and take prerequisite courses in preparation for a graduate school, this may be a good idea. One drawback is the high cost and even if you get A's, they will not be included in your undergraduate GPA. Another option is to look at schools that accept second BA students. Many of the CSUs are open for this option and I believe that they offer excellent education at affordable prices. In most cases, you do not have to take any more GE classes, maybe except a few as in two or three. However, there is a residency requirement, or minimum number of classes you have to take, and for CSUs it is 45 quarter units.

If you have taken classes after you have graduated (post-baccalaureate study), they will count toward a second BA. In fact, you can reuse most of your undergraduate classes toward your second BA, even if you used it to graduate the first time. But remember the residency requirement.

If your goal is to become more competitive when applying to a MBA program, which I suspect you are, I am afraid your undergraduate record is permanent. However, you can take some classes and show that you are serious about your studies. But you should do this at a 4-year university because taking classes at JCs won’t impress the admissions office at the graduate level.

If you do choose the second BA option, it will give you a clean slate. If you apply to graduate schools afterwards, the policies vary but some schools will average the two GPAs while others will take the most recent one. Also if you are studying a complete different field, they will certainly look at the more relevant degree.

If you can tell why you want to pursue a second BA and your geographic location, I can help you better. Hope this helps.



*** I am updating my answer regarding CSU admissions ***
It's true that many of the CSUs have closed their admissions for post-baccalaureate studies but this is not a CSU-wide policy. I live in Los Angeles and just in my area I know of few CSUs that are still accepting students such as Cal State LA, CSU Long Beach (selected majors only), CSU Dominguez Hills, and and CSU Fullerton (not every semester). I am sure there are others within that state.

Answer 2

They don't let you. Not anymore. I graduated from a UC. I went back a few years later to try and get an accounting degree from one of them. Even the Cal States wouldn't take me.

You're considered a post-bac. Due to budget problems, they don't take post-bacs anymore. No room for them cuz there are too many freshmen they need to take. I think this kicked in during 2005 or so. Unless things changed in a year or so, then they won't take you.

You're gonna have to look for a private school to get your second bachelors. I had specifically checked UCI, UCLA, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach. All said the same thing, and said it was UC wide and Cal State wide. Apparently, I had asked right after they shut it down completely. Before, it was possible, if rare.

Answer 3

I'm not sure of the specific rules for UCs, but at most schools, you don't have to repeat general education requirements that you fulfilled earlier, but there are specific requirements for second bachelors; for example, you probably will have to complete a minimum number of units (like 30) and fulfill any core requirements which you didn't have to complete for the other major.

Answer 4

Any lopwer division requiredments for the new degree can be fufilled by the previous courses, provided that they satisfy the new requirements. For example if you were to work towards a BS degree you would need to take more advanced science classes than required for a BA. As far as upper division requirements go, I believe that there is a maximum that can be applied to the new major provided that they satisfy the exact requirement. However odds are that they will not since upper division requirements vary greatly between majors.

Answer 5

i'm keen on Boston college by using fact i'm from the area. i don't comprehend on the subject of the cities in California however the hot England area has lots to offer. in case you shuttle north in easy terms some hours you get super snowboarding in the White Mountains of NH, and West yet another hour and you could bypass to the seashores of Cape Cod.