Students who have earned or are seeking a baccalaureate degree may earn a second baccalaureate degree in a different major or area. The student must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours in residence at Murray State University, exclusive of hours taken toward requirements of the first degree, including any specific departmental requirements, pre-requisites, and co-requirements. A student completing a new major toward a second degree is not required to complete a new minor. Fifteen semester hours of upper-level courses must be earned in completion of the new area or major. The student may be required to complete additional University Studies courses if they are specifically required for the intended second major or area. A minimum grade point average of 2.00 or above must be earned for all coursework presented in the new program. (Some areas or majors may require a higher GPA for graduation.) Cumulative GPAs are not posted to the transcript of a student completing a second baccalaureate degree or any other work subsequent to the first degree.
All students seeking a second degree must be appropriately admitted/re-admitted to Murray State University and must get a specific program plan pre-approved by the department chair and dean of their new area or major and by the Registrar's Office. Failure to seek approval in advance from these three parties will likely result in a second degree not being awarded as not all areas and majors will be possible for those seeking the second degree.
Students seeking an honors designation for their second degree must additionally follow the honors requirements for a first degree, including the completion of a total of 45 new hours, 32 of which must be upper-level. Be sure to see the "Academic Honors for Graduation" listing for complete information. Since a second degree is not possible without the first degree, all undergraduate hours completed (including transfers) will be included in the GPA calculations for the second degree honors notation.
Second associate degree
A student who has earned or is seeking an associate degree from Murray State may earn a second degree in a different planned specialty program upon meeting course requirements for that degree and upon completing at least 24 additional hours in residence at Murray State, over and above requirements for the first degree. The student may be required to complete additional University Studies courses if they are specifically required for the intended second degree. Nine hours must be completed toward a new planned specialty program and a 2.00 grade point average must be earned for all course work presented for the degree.
All students seeking a second degree must apply for admission/re-admission to Murray State University and must get a specific program plan pre-approved by the department chair and dean of their new area or major and by the Registrar's Office. Failure to seek approval in advance from these three parties will likely result in a second degree not being awarded as not all areas and majors will be possible for those seeking the second degree.
Note: Graduation honors are not posted for associate degrees.