Postbaccalaureate Credential Requirements

Second baccalaureate degree

A candidate for a second baccalaureate degree must complete the following:

1. Residence credit after earning first degree: if the first degree was from Portland State University, 36 credits; if the first degree was from another college or university accredited by a recognized regional association, 45 credits. Restriction: At least 25 of the 45 credits must be for differentiated grades (A-F).
2. Bachelor of Arts degree: if the first degree was not a B.A., students must complete 28 credits to include:
   1.  12 credits in arts and letters distribution area with minimum of 4 in fine and performing arts
   2. 12 credits in science and/or social science distribution area with minimum of 4 in science
   3. Four credits in a foreign language numbered 203 or higher.
3. Bachelor of Music degree: if the first degree was not a B.M., students must complete program in music and applied music as prescribed by the Department of Music
4. Bachelor of Science degree: if the first degree was not a B.S., students must complete 28 credits to include:
   1. Minimum 12 credits science including 8 with lab (excluding math/statistics)
   2. Minimum 12 credits arts and letters and/or social science
   3. Minimum 4 credits math/statistics
5. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree: if the first degree was not a B.F.A. students must complete program as prescribed by the department.
6. Requirements for a major: Courses taken as a postbaccalaureate student or as part of the first degree program count toward the major. Students do not need to meet the general education requirement.
7. Admitted postbaccalaureate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on all work taken at PSU. Failure to do so will result in academic warning, probation, or dismissal.
8. Postbaccalaureate students who do not hold a degree from a university in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand must satisfy the Wr 323 requirements before graduation from PSU.

Postbaccalaureate Certificates

Postbaccalaureate Certificates are approved academic awards given in conjunction with the satisfactory completion of a program of instruction, signifying a standard of knowledge in a specific subject.The curriculum is designed for students to complete after they have already earned a bachelor's degree. To be eligible to earn the certificate, the student must be admitted and matriculated into postbaccalaureate or graduate status. A Postbaccalaureate Certificate is posted to the official transcript and documented on a separate diploma.

In addition to meeting the specific course requirements of the certificate, students must:

• Hold a previously earned baccalaureate degree.
• Meet the Residency Requirement: a minimum of 16 credits or 3/4 of the credits required for the certificate, whichever is higher, must be earned at Portland State University.
• Students who do not hold a degree from a university in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand must satisfy the Wr 323 requirement.