Thinking of Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree? Here’s What You should Know!

Getting a second bachelor’s degree (2nd bachelor’s degree) is a great option for anyone looking to change careers, excel in their career, achieve personal goals, or fulfill graduate school requirements.

If you’ve been wondering what kind of degree to get and questioning, “Can you get two bachelor’s degrees?” the simple answer is yes. The even bigger question is why you would want to do so.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide that will help answer all your questions regarding a second bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s vs. Master’s Degree

Many people looking to work in the higher ranks of their field will consider getting a master’s degree after they earn their first bachelor’s degree. For this reason, it’s understandable why you’d have a lot of questions around a second bachelor’s degree when a master’s degree becomes an option.

While the purpose of getting a second bachelor’s degree may overlap with the reason to get a master’s degree, there are some key differences between the types of degrees.

For starters, a master’s degree is a postgraduate program. It is aimed toward any student who is looking to become an expert in their field of study following their first bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree, given that it’s a postgraduate degree, is often more expensive than a bachelor’s degree.

If a master’s degree isn’t your only option within your chosen career in order to move up the ranks, then you could potentially consider a second bachelor’s degree instead. The upside here is that a bachelor’s degree tends to be more cost-effective and a bit less intense than a master’s degree. Additionally, if you want to change your career from what you have already studied in your first bachelor’s degree, then a second bachelor’s degree grants you the opportunity to do so.

Reasons to Get a Second Bachelor’s Degree

So, back to our question from up there – why would you want to get a second bachelor’s degree?

Here are some of the main reasons why students choose this route.

Graduate school requirements

Say you earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and now you want to become a civil engineer. The chances are high that your art history degree didn’t afford you many (or any) of the prerequisites for a master’s degree in civil engineering. You may want to go back to get a second bachelor’s degree in civil engineering before progressing to a master’s degree in the field so that you have the foundational knowledge you’ll need. At the same time, your educational background could help increase your chance of acceptance into a highly competitive postgraduate degree program.

Change careers

Similarly, if you’ve already been working in a field, but you find yourself looking for a change, then getting a second bachelor’s degree can open up entirely new opportunities. The average age that which a person changes their career is 39 years old. In many cases, a person will change their career because they feel stagnant or they are unsatisfied. With the number of times that people change their careers on average, it’s unlikely that they’ll obtain a new degree every time. However, when you’re looking to make a big career change, you might need to get a degree to equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Career advancement

It could be the case that you work in a career that makes you feel happy and satisfied. Depending on your career, a second bachelor’s degree could ensure that you are up-to-date on the advancements within your field. Or, you could be looking to expand your skillset to be fit for a promotion. For example, you may be a communications major working in marketing. But, with the advancements in the field and technology, data has become a bigger part of your job. Therefore, you might want to learn data analytics. You could accomplish this feat by earning a second bachelor’s degree in computer science. 

Re-enter workforce

Have you taken off work for quite some time due to a disability, family emergency, childbirth, or other reason? Things within the world of work shift on a daily. So, when you find yourself ready to re-enter the workforce, you could be faced with competition for your dream position. That’s why many students choose to get a second bachelor’s degree. This way, they can re-enter the workforce well-positioned to get a job since they have the necessary qualifications.

Personal fulfillment

Perhaps you just want to get a second bachelor’s degree for your own fulfillment and personal satisfaction. There’s no harm in that! There’s no downside to having more knowledge, enhanced skills, and a great education.

How to Earn a Second Bachelor’s Degree

If you’ve decided getting a second bachelor’s degree is the route of your choice, then you’ll probably wonder: how long does it take to get a second bachelor’s degree?

The answer depends. Let’s see why.

1. Consider options

First, consider what options you have for a second bachelor’s degree based on requirements.

2. Pick a school

Then, search for colleges that offer second bachelor’s degrees. Depending on if you enroll full-time or part-time, the duration of the program will vary. However, in most cases, it will take roughly three years or less. Remember, your first bachelor’s degree probably took four years to complete, so you’re cutting down the time since you’ve already taken general education classes.

3. Talk to an advisor

Before you enroll in a second bachelor’s degree program, talk about your reasoning and goals with an academic advisor. This way, you can be sure that you are taking the optimal path.

4. Complete courses

If you enroll, then all you have left to do is complete the requirement and earn your second degree!

Final Thoughts

Getting a second bachelor’s degree can be a really great option when your particular goals call for it. If you’ve figured out that a master’s degree isn’t going to serve your purpose or you want a less intensive program to accomplish your goals, go for a second bachelor’s degree instead!

Plus, you can earn your bachelor’s degree online, which provides for a very cost-effective and flexible chance to get your degree. Check out the program offerings at the University of the People, which is accredited and tuition-free.