Courses of study for students already holding a master's degree are arranged individually. Some class work from the previous degree may be applicable to the current program. Southern Adventist University requires that theory courses taken ten years previously and technology application courses taken five years previously must be repeated or waived by a validating examination. For a second degree, at least 2/3 of the credits required (including independent study and excluding graduate prerequisite credits) cannot overlap with the first degree and must be completed at Southern either online or on campus. A thesis or research project may be required. The GRE/GMAT is not required for a student pursuing a second master's degree if the first master's is from a U.S. accredited institution.