Useful Information for International Post-Baccalaureate Students Seeking a Second Bachelor’s Degree from PSU

Academic Advising

Post-baccalaureate students should meet with the academic adviser in their major department to determine what courses they need to take to fulfill their post-bac degree requirements. For more information on how to find your major adviser, go to: www.pdx.edu/advising/where-do-i-go-advising

General Requirements

Minimum credits requirements:

·  If first degree from PSU……………………………………………………………………………36 credits

·  If first degree NOT from PSU……………………………………………………………………..45 credits

English language course requirements:

·  If the first degree is from an institution in the U.S., or an institution in English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain or Ireland, the student has met the English language requirement, and will not need to take WR 323.

·  If first degree is from an institution from another country (other than those mentioned above) the student will need to complete WR 323.

The English Department offers a WR 323 course for international students. Students can also inquire about waiving the WR 323 requirement, or earning credit for WR 323 by passing a challenge exam, by contacting the PSU English Department. The English Dept. is located in room 405 Neuberger Hall. Phone number: 503-725-3521.

PSU General Education requirements (University Studies)……………………………………………….None

Major requirements………………………………………...... Consult with appropriate academic department

Degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) requirements:

*If first degree is the same type as second degree………………………………………………...... None

(For example, if student earned a BA for their first degree, and is planning to do a BA for the post-bac degree, the student will not need to fulfill any further BA requirements at PSU)

*If the first degree is a different type than second degree……………………..Relevant coursework needed

(For example, if student earned a BA for the first degree, and is planning to do a BS for the post-bac degree, the student will have to fulfill PSU’s BS degree requirements)

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BS)
4 credits of Foreign Language 203 or higher.
*See footnote #1 on reverse side / 4 credits of Math or Statistics, 105 or higher.
12 credits of Arts & Letters, 4 credits of which must be Fine and Performing Arts. / 12 credits of Arts & Letters and/or Social Science
12 credits of Science and/or Social Science, 4 credits of which must be Math, Statistics or Science. / 12 credits of Science, 8 of which must include lab and/or field work.

Arts and Letters: American Sign Language, Applied Linguistics, Architecture*, Art*, Arts and Letters, Black Studies (221, 351, 352,353, 421, 424-427 only), Communication, Conflict Resolution, Dance, English/Writing, Fine and Performing Arts*, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Humanities, Music*, Philosophy, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Theatre Arts*.denotes Fine and Performing Arts.

Social Science : Criminology and Criminal Justice (220 & 330 only),Anthropology, Black Studies (except 221, 351, 352, 353, 421, 424-427),Chicano/Latino Studies, Child and Family Studies, Economics, Geography, History, International Studies, Native American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, Urban Studies & Planning, Women’s Studies.

Science: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geology, Physics, Science Education (SCI).

Evaluating Transcripts

The Office of Admissions can create a transfer evaluation of previous college coursework upon request by the student or the academic adviser in the student's major department. This can be done as soon as the student has submitted official transcripts (sent directly from the issuing university in sealed envelopes) to Admissions. To request a transfer evaluation, send an email to with the student's name and ID number. Once the Transfer Evaluation has been created, the student and adviser will be able to run a DARS report which provides additional information on courses that have been used to fulfill the major.

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) https://banweb.pdx.edu
The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is a valuable tool which aids in tracking degree progress and in understanding requirements. This report applies your completed courses, including transfer courses accepted to PSU, to the PSU's graduation requirements. DARS audits are to be used as unofficial advising tools and are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of progress toward a degree, major, minor, or certificate. Certification of completion of academic requirements will be made when you apply for graduation. At that time, your graduation application and DARS audit will be reviewed by the Office of Degree Requirements.

Footnote on the BA Foreign Language Requirement:

1.  For students who were required to submit a TOEFL score upon admission, the BA foreign language requirement may be waived. However, students who have waived the foreign language requirement will need to show an additional 4 credits in Arts and Letters.

Students can work with their academic adviser and the Degree Requirements Office to see if they have already earned these 4 credits of Arts and Letters in their first degree. Students need to show that they have earned a total of 28 credits for the BA requirement, and 16 of those credits need to be from Arts and Letters.

Notes about the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

* Courses used to fulfill major requirements may also be used to fulfill the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree requirements.

* These majors must complete the B.A. requirements: Applied Linguistics, Art History, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, International Studies, and Social Work.

* These majors must complete the B.S. requirements: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

* All other majors have a choice between the B.A. and B.S.

* For Bachelor of Music requirements, see the department’s website: http://www.pdx.edu/music/programs

Updated on 7-21-11 by K. Kennedy, Undergraduate Advising & Support Center