A second entry degree is an academic program that requires applicants to have completed a specific amount of prior post-secondary education—ranging from a minimum number of university credits to a completed undergraduate degree—before they are eligible for admission. This category of education is distinguished from "direct entry" programs, which admit students immediately following the completion of secondary school.
Characteristics and Requirements Second entry programs are typically professional in nature and are designed for students who have already established a foundational academic background. Admission criteria for these programs often include a minimum grade point average (GPA) from previous university coursework, specific prerequisite courses, and standardized entrance examinations. Because these programs are not open to high school graduates, they often have more rigorous selection processes and older student demographics than direct entry undergraduate programs.
Common Fields of Study The second entry model is the standard path for several regulated professions. Common examples include:
- Law: Programs leading to a Juris Doctor (JD).
- Medicine: Programs leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
- Education: Bachelor of Education (BEd) programs for individuals who already hold a degree in a specific subject area.
- Dentistry: Programs leading to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).
- Nursing: Accelerated or "compressing" Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs for those with prior university experience.
Regional Context The term "second entry" is most frequently used within the Canadian higher education system. While the structure exists in other countries, the terminology varies. In the United States, such programs are often referred to as "graduate-entry" or "professional" programs. In the United Kingdom and Australia, similar pathways may be termed "graduate entry" to distinguish them from undergraduate entry routes into fields like medicine or law.
Despite often awarding titles such as "Doctor," many second entry programs are classified administratively as undergraduate-level or first-professional degrees because they represent the first point of entry into a specific profession rather than an advanced research degree (such as a PhD).