The workplace is a competitive landscape but with the ability to add a second degree to your resume you will have no worries navigating your way to a great career.
The Second Degree programs allow students to complete two degree programs consecutively.
The Second Degree Program allows the holder of an undergraduate degree from Queen’s or from another university to complete a second undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science, either on-campus or through distance studies.
Students must complete all course and degree requirements for the Second Degree program according to the Academic Regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science. (See Academic Regulation 16 for degree requirements).
In order to be considered for admission to a second degree program the desired second degree plan must have capacity to accept students and the combination of the first and second degree plans must be academically viable, meaning the two degree plans are significantly different.
Students must choose a second degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. More than half of the units required for the program/plan may not be used (or accepted) in the first program/plan or the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the Second Degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply).
The additional courses for the second degree must all be completed at Queen’s and registered under the Arts and Science degree program, regardless of whether the first degree is from Queen’s or from another post-secondary institution.
Students may not obtain a three-year general degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for four-year honours degree of the same program type. For example, students may not obtain a B.A.(Gen.) degree after a B.A.(Hons) degree, a B.Cmp. (Gen.) degree after a B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree, or a B.Sc.(Gen.) degree after a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree.
The charts provided in the Academic Viability Section below provide information for known, academically viable, second degree combinations. Please consult these charts to learn more about allowed and disallowed plan combinations.
Second Degree students whose first degree is from Queen’s may use up to a maximum of 60.0 transferable units from their first degree program toward their Second Degree program. When there are 60.0 transferable units from the first degree, a B.A.(Gen.), or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree requires a minimum of 30.0 additional units; a B.A.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Mus degree requires a minimum of 66.0 additional units.
A three-year General degree after a four-year Honours degree
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different plan from their Honours degree, students may obtain a General degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs must be different.
Two three-year General degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different plan from their first degree, students may obtain a BA degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BSC General degree or a BSC degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BA General degree. Students may not receive two BA degrees or two BSC degrees.
Two four-year Honours degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 54.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different plan from their first degree, students admitted to the Second Degree Program prior to the Fall Term 2017 may obtain a B.A.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons.).
Students admitted to the Second Degree Program in the Fall Term 2017 and later must complete a minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different plan from their first degree to obtain a B.A. (Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons).
With the completion of a minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different plan from their first degree, students may obtain a B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs may be the same.
In most cases students first complete the requirements and receive the degree for the program in which they are registered before applying for the Second Degree Program to complete the requirements for the second degree. However, students may also complete the requirements for both degrees before applying to graduate and receive both degrees at the same time.
Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science who have completed the requirements for two degree programs simultaneously are not required to apply for admission to the Second Degree Program. Such students may declare the second program and plan upon completion of all requirements and may receive both degrees together.
Applicants in this category must have the equivalent of a minimum Queen's Cumulative GPA of 2.6 for most plans to be considered for admission. In addition, they must also satisfy departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. In all cases, admission to a Second Degree is only possible when the applicant's first degree is from an accredited post-secondary institution and in a substantially different plan from the proposed Second Degree. Additionally, the degree plan requested must be accepting second degree students.
How it Works
Second Degree students whose first degree is from another post-secondary institution may use up to a maximum of 42.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Gen.), B.Cmp.(Gen.) or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree program, and up to a maximum of 57.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Hons.), B.Cmp.(Hons.), B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Mus degree program. The additional units required will vary depending on the total number of units required for the second degree.
How to Apply to a Second Degree Program
Applicants may apply for a summer or fall term start. See the Queen's page.
Applicants must meet the Faculty minimums and satisfy appropriate departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. Enrolment limitations or lack of prerequisites may result in the denial of an admission.
Students must have graduated in good standing and satisfy departmental criteria.
Students who wish to pursue a Second Degree in the B.MUS program must also meet specialized entry requirements, and the program must be accepting students to a second degree.
Updates for the 2023-2024 academic calendar coming shortly.
The chart below indicates the on-campus and distance degree plans with capacity to accept Second Degree applicants in the 2020-2021 academic year are listed below. If a degree plan is not listed, it is at capacity and cannot accept Second Degree applicants. Students admitted to distance studies are limited to distance courses and distance degree plans. Distance 3-year degrees may not upgrade their degree on campus. Distance 3-year General Degree plans are in GREEN shading.
To inquire about specific admission requirements, contact Undergraduate Admission for on-campus admission and Continuing and Distance Studies for distance campus admission.
Students must choose a Second degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. If at least half of the required units in the Arts and Science program may be used in the primary or first degree program, the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply.)
The Academic Viability Charts below list the degree combinations that have been previously assessed. If a combination of interest is not included in the charts below please book an academic advising appointment to discuss the most up-to-date information regarding Second Degrees or to have a new combination assessed.
Due to space limitations not all allowed program/plan combinations in the charts below are available. To see which Arts and Science plans have capacity to accept Second Degree students depending on which type of degree you wish to pursue.
The first column, First Degree Program, in the viability charts lists the first degree plan of the degree the student has or is about to complete. The second column, Allowed Programs and Plans, list second degree combinations that have been assessed as academically viable because of the low degree of overlap between the first degree program and the specific Arts and Science plan. The third column, Disallowed Programs and Plans, lists the second degree combinations that are not academically viable due to significant overlap between the first degree program and the specific Faculty of Arts and Science plan.
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| School of Business | Allowed Program and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Commerce | BAH APEC BA ARTH BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA FREN BA GNDS BA GEOL BA GPHY BA, BAH GRMN BA HIST BA ITLN BA JWST BA, BAH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA RELS BA, BAH SOCY BA, BAH SPAN BA, BAH STAT BSC, BSCH STAT | |
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations (Plans that have been assessed) | |
| Smith Engineering | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Chemical Engineering | BA, BAH ARTH BSCH BCHM BSCH BIOL BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BAH ENGL BSCH ENSC BA ENVS BSC, BSCH GPHY BSCH GEOL BA, BAH GMST BA HIST BSC KINE BSCH MAJ MATH BSCH STAT BA, BAH MUSC BA, BAH PSYC BA, BSC BIOL | BA, BSC, BSCH CHEM BSC BCHM BA, BSC MATH BSC, BSCH LISC BA, BSC STAT |
| Civil Engineering | BA, BAH ARTH BSC, BSCH BIOL BSC, BSCH CHEM BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BSCH ENSC BA GPHY BA GMST BA HIST BSC, BSCH LISC BSCH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA, BSC BSCH PHYS BCMPH SODE BSCH STAT | BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC STAT |
| Computer Engineering (CMP1 or CMP2 Option) | BSC, BSCH BCHM BSC, BSCH CHEM BCMPH COGS BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BSC, BSCH ENSC BSC, BSCH GEOL BSC, BSCH GPHY BA GRMN BA HIST BA LING BSC, BSCH LISC BSCH MATH BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BA, BCMP COMP BA, MATH |
| Electrical Engineering | BSC, BSCH BCHM BA, BSC, BSCH BIOL BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA GMST BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BA, BCMP COMP BCMPH COMP BA, BSC MATH BSC PHYS BA, BSC STAT |
| Engineering Chemistry | BSCH BCHM BA GMST BA BIOL BA DEVS BAH DRAM BSCH MATH BA MUSC BA PHIL BA, BAH POLS | BSC BCHM BSC, BSCH CHEM BSC, BSCH LISC BA, BSC MATH BSC BIOL |
| Engineering Physics | BAH APEC BA, BAH DEVS BA ECON BSC GEOL BA GMST BA HIST BA, BAH MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA LANG | BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC, BSCH PHYS BA, BSC STAT |
| Engineering Physics (Computing Option) | BAH APEC BA, BAH DEVS BA GMST | BA, BCMP, BCMPH COMP |
| Engineering Physics (Electrical Option) | BSC CHEM BA, BAH DEVS | |
| Engineering Physics (Mechanical Option) | BSC CHEM BA, BAH DEVS | |
| Geological Engineering | BSC, BSCH BIOL BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BSCH ENSC BA MUSC BSCH MATH BSCH PHYS BA, BSC PHYS (*not with Geophysics Option) | BSC GEOL BSCH GEOL |
| Mathematics and Engineering | BSCH ASPH BA, BAH CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA FILM BA, BAH FREN BA, BAH GMST BA HIST BA MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA PHYS BA, BSC, BSCH PHYS (*except with Applied Mech Sub Plan) BA, BAH LANG | BCMP COMP BA, BAH MATH BSC, BSCH MATH |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Computing and Communications Option) | BA, BAH DEVS | BA COMP BCMP COMP BCMPH COMP |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Mechanical Option) | BA, BAH DEVS | BA, BSC PHYS BCH COMA |
| Mathematics and Engineering (Robotics Option) | ||
| Applied Mechanical Engineering | BSC, BSCH BCHM BSCH CHEM BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA, BAH ECON BA, BSC, BSCH GEOL BSC, BSCH LISC BA MUSC BSCH PHYS | BSC BIOL BSC CHEM BA, BSC MATH BA, BSC PHYS |
| Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering | BA,BSC MATH BSH MATH | BCP COMP BA COMP BCH COMP BCH CSCI BA PHYS BSC PHYS BSH PHYS |
| Mining Engineering | BSCH CHEM BA CLST BA, BAH DEVS BA ECON BSC GEOL BA MUSC BA, BSC PHYS | BA, BSC CHEM |
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Health Sciences | Allowed Program and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BHSc | BSc Life Sciences | |
| Primary Degree Program | Arts and Science Program and Plan Combinations | |
|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| Nursing | BSC BIOL BSC, BSCH BCHM BA, BAH GNDS BA, BAH GPHY BA MUSC BA, BAH PHIL BA, BAH, BSCH PSYC BA, BAH SOCY BA, BAH CHEM | BA, BAH HLTH BSC, BSCH LISC |
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BA Art History | BFAH Fine Art | |
| BAH Art History | BFAH Fine Art | |
| BA Biology | BA Environmental Studies | |
| BAH Computing and the Creative Arts | BA, BCP, BCH Computing | |
| BAH Sociology | BAH Music | |
| BAH English | BAH Classics | |
| BA Mathematics | BSC Geology | BA/BSC Statistics |
| BAH Psychology | BAH Sociology BAH Linguistics | |
| BA Health Studies | BSC Life Sciences | |
| BA SOCY | BAH ECON BAH GNDS |
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BSC, BSCH Biochemistry | BA Mathematics | BA, BSHC Biology BA Mathematics BSCH Life Sciences |
| BSCH Biology | BSCH Geography BSCH Mathematics | BSCH Biochemistry BA Environmental Science BSCH SSP EGPY BSCH Life Sciences BSCH SSP Mathematics (if supporting program is Biology) |
| BSCH SSP Environmental Science and Life Sciences | BA Geography | |
| BSCH Environmental Science | BSCH Geology | |
| BSCH Geography | BA Economics | |
| BSCH Geology | BSCH Environmental Science | |
| BSCH KINE | BA PSYC | |
| BSC Life Sciences | BA Physics | BA Biology BSCH Biochemistry |
| BSCH Life Sciences | BAH Psychology BSCH Mathematics | BA, BSCH Psychology |
| BSCH Math | BSC Astrophysics | BA/BSC Statistics |
| BSCH Physics | BSCH Mathematics | BA Mathematics |
| BSCH Psychology | BAH Linguistics | BA Health |
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BFA Fine Art | BAH Art History | BA Art History |
| BFAH Fine Art | BA, BAH Art History |
| First Degree Program | Allowed Programs and Plans | Disallowed Programs and Plans |
| BCMPH Computing | BA Mathematics | BA Computing and Information Science |
| BCMPH Computer Science | BA Computing and Information Science BA Mathematics BSC Mathematics BA Statistics BSC Statistics | |
| BCMPH Biomedical Computing | BSHC Mathematics | BA, BSC Biology BSCH Life Sciences |
Add depth and focus to your degree through one of our innovative programs in less time than traditional timelines – a true competitive advantage.
This program is an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honour’s program (Biology) to take up to 2 courses in Biology at the graduate level that would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing. Research begun in the 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 terms.
This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honours or Specialization program (Chemistry) to take up to four - 1.5 unit modules (or the equivalent of two term courses) in Chemistry at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing.
These programs offer an opportunity for Geography undergraduate students entering their fourth year of study with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher in their Geography undergraduate courses to take up to two courses in Geography and Planning at the graduate level, which would allow them to enter the graduate program in Geography with advanced standing. Furthermore, any research undertaken in a 4th year thesis project could provide a foundation for graduate work, although this work cannot be duplicated for the MA/MSc thesis. This path should provide students the opportunity to shorten their Master's program by one term. The combined degree program is open only to undergraduate students who have declared Geography as a major.
Combine your undergraduate degree and your master’s degree in this 4+1 option. It’s a fast-track to your profession in urban and regional planning in less time. A competitive advantage for geography students wanting to work in urban planning, GIS, transportation, environmental studies, social planning, government and consultation. A natural, practical fit.
Urban Planning Combined Degree
This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honours program (Physics) to take up to 2 courses in Physics at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing. Research begun in the 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 terms.
The Accelerated Master's Degree program allows strong students in the Engineering Physics programs to begin work towards a Master's degree while completing their undergraduate degree. By working on a research project that will become their master's thesis during the summers after third and fourth years, the students can graduate with a full thesis-based master's degree in 12-16 months after finishing their Bachelor's degree. This saves approximately a year of time compared to students enrolled in the standard master's program. Students also get to work on larger research projects, which would not normally be offered to undergraduate students.
This program is designed for you - for any Queen’s graduate of non-business programs. Complete a yearlong program in only 4 months beginning in May. A perfect way to round out your Arts and Science Degree in a short period of time. Credits earned for this diploma also represent a credit toward a Queen’s MBA degree; as well as many are eligible for credit in other Queen’s School of Business Master’s degree programs.
