Sometimes the career path you want to pursue would be well served by pursuing not just one graduate degree but two Masters degrees. When you get double degrees at the same time, this is called a dual degree.
Alternative names for a dual degree are:
- concurrent degree
- combined degrees
- joint degree
- double Masters
- dual Masters
Throughout this article, we will use these terms interchangeably. Keep reading to learn more about a dual degree.
What Is Meant by a Dual Degree?
A dual degree refers to an academic program that includes two different fields. While you can pursue a dual degree in college, for the purposes of this article, we will focus on graduate-level dual degrees.
Most dual degree programs will involve courses from more than one school or discipline within your larger university. For example, a combined MBA and JD degree is one example of a dual degree. Other examples of dual Masters degrees are the following:
- MPP/MBA
- MD/MBA
- MPH/MD
- JD/MSW
- JD/PhD
Is a Dual Degree the Same as Two Degrees?
A dual degree is one way to earn two degrees. However, for two degrees to count as a dual degree, they need to be pursued at the same time. For example, you may earn an MBA and a JD during your graduate studies. However, you can earn two degrees in other ways.
First, maybe you earn a master’s degree and then follow it up with a doctoral or professional degree. You’d eventually have two degrees, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have a dual degree.
Another option is to earn a master’s degree in one field. After taking time off, you may choose to earn a second master’s to prepare for professional school. Since you earned the degrees separately, you would have two degrees but not a dual degree.
Is It Worth Taking a Dual Degree?
Pursuing a dual degree for graduate school often requires being in school longer than pursuing just a single degree. For example, an MPP/MBA will require three years of schooling, whereas an MPP or an MBA on its own would only be two years of school.
However, a concurrent degree can be well worth it for many students. Double degrees can help you stand out in the job market due to having experience and skills in multiple domains.
Your dual degree will give you access to more courses, internships, and other opportunities that students in your first major might not have. For example, you may be able to pursue a summer internship in corporate law as an MBA/JD student. Your dual degree can give you an advantage over students only pursuing a JD.
Depending on the dual degree you pursue, you may get more relevant experience for your dream job. If you want to become a doctor and own your own practice, an MBA can teach you the management, operation, and leadership skills you need to start a business.
Pursuing a dual degree can also help get all of your schooling out of the way. You won’t have to worry about balancing a degree program with a job if you later realize you want further education.
Finally, you’ll be able to explore two of your biggest professional interests. After graduation, you can combine those interests in your career or find a job in one field or the other.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Dual Degree?
One of the most significant disadvantages of a dual degree is the time commitment. While most students complete a single degree in four years, a dual degree can take up to six years.
At the graduate level, you can also expect to add another year or two to your studies.
The extra time in school can increase the costs related to graduate school. Not only will you have to pay for more tuition, but you’ll also have to pay for room and board and other living expenses. Spending more time in school also carries with it the opportunity cost of not working full-time during the time you are in school.
Depending on how many courses you take each semester, you may be taking more classes at one time than someone pursuing a single degree. That means you’ll need to spend more time studying and completing coursework.
Is a Dual Degree Legal?
Dual degrees are legal, and many colleges and universities have specific dual degree programs in place. For example, Columbia Law School offers an MBA dual degree for law students: the Columbia JD/MBA.
Even if you attend a university without a dual degree program, you may still be able to pursue two degrees at once. Be sure to speak with an advisor or counselor early in the application process to ask via email if your desired dual degree is an option.
Why Do People Get Dual Degrees?
People get dual degrees for many reasons. For some, the reason is as simple as the desire to study more than one field in graduate school.
Another fantastic reason to pursue a dual degree is to increase your job options after graduation. You can apply to jobs that require just one of the degrees that you received. Having a dual degree can even make you more employable than candidates with a single degree.
While you can go to school twice, some people obtain a dual degree to save time. In some dual master’s programs, for example, you may find the coursework overlaps. That way, you’ll only have to take a few extra classes to earn the second degree.
Do Dual Degrees Make More Money?
Cambridge University Press released a study saying that a dual degree in business and STEM can expect to earn more than their peers with single degrees.
Unfortunately, the same study found that a dual major between business or STEM and liberal arts won’t offer the same results. The same is true of a dual degree where the fields of study are too similar to each other.
If you want to pursue a dual degree to increase your earning potential, choose a major in business and a major in STEM. Then, you’ll have the best chance of earning a higher salary right out of school.
Which Dual Degree Is Best?
The best dual degree depends on you and your professional goals. Some of the most popular dual graduate degrees include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) / Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Masters in Management Information Systems (MIS) / Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice (CJ) / Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Social Work (MSW) / Juris Doctorate (JD)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) / Juris Doctorate (JD)
Is a Dual Degree Hard?
Pursuing a dual degree can be difficult, depending on the course of study and how the dual degree program is structured. Every dual degree program is different. In general, the more formalized and organized the dual degree program is (versus you fashioning a custom dual degree yourself), the less difficult it will be to earn both degrees.
With a self-created dual degree that isn’t a formal dual degree offered by your university, you may have more courses to balance, even if you don’t have to take more of them in a single semester. The increase in coursework can make it harder to participate in extracurricular activities or maintain a part-time job.
Do Dual Degrees Take Longer?
Earning a dual degree usually takes longer than earning a single degree. However, it also won’t typically take twice as long. At the graduate level, a dual degree may add another year or two to the normal course of study.
For example, at Harvard Kennedy School, earning an MPP on its own takes two years. At Harvard Business School, earning an MBA on its own takes two years. However, the Harvard MPP/MBA does not take four years to complete; it takes three years to complete.
Similarly, the MPA2 at Harvard Kennedy School takes two years, and the MBA at MIT Sloan, Dartmouth Tuck, and Stanford GSB takes two years. However the MPA/MBA dual degree between MIT, Dartmouth, or Stanford and HKS only takes three years to complete.
Is a Dual Degree for Grad School Harder Than a Double Major in College?
A dual degree can be more difficult than a double major due to the structure of the program. With a double major in college, you’re earning a single degree in two fields, such as a BA or BS. In that case, many of the general education requirements will apply to both programs.
However, a dual degree for graduate school may involve more general education requirements. It can also be harder to juggle two programs in different schools. You may have less flexibility in your schedule so that you can take classes with only one or two sections per semester.
How Stressful Is a Double Degree?
A double degree can be quite stressful for some students. You have to manage two course loads and study for both of your areas of study.
Double degree students need to be good at time management and organization. If you have those skills, you can succeed when studying two different fields in school.
However, the stress levels you’ll experience depends on you and the degree in question. If you’re naturally good at one or both of your chosen subjects, you may not need to study as much. On the other hand, you might need more prep time if you decide to study difficult subjects.
Is a Double Degree Harder Than a Single Degree?
A double degree is usually harder than a single degree. The increased workload and the longer degree completion time can make it more difficult.
However, it could also depend on the subjects you decide to study and your experience with those subjects. For example, a double degree in English and business could be easy for some students.
Those same students might struggle if they pursue a single degree in chemistry or another more technical subject.
Do Employers Care About Double Majors?
Employers may or may not care about a double major or dual degree. Most employers want to know if you can do the job well. In some industries, that means having a degree in a relevant field, and you can fulfill that with a dual degree.
However, other companies might not care as much about you having two degrees. If you don’t have the time or money for a dual degree, you don’t have to pursue one. You can always go back to school later for further education in the form of a single course, a certificate, or executive education if you decide you need to learn new skills.
Will You Pursue a Dual Degree?
A dual degree can be an excellent tool to help you learn multiple things. Depending on your career goals, the program could even help you stand out when applying to jobs.
Be sure to consider some of the most common graduate dual degrees that we listed above. Then, you can decide which path you should pursue.
Don’t be afraid of applying for dual degree programs if your career goals align with earning two Masters degrees rather than one.
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