Double Degree ·May 27, 2022

What Is a Double Degree?

A double degree, also known as a dual degree or combined degree, allows students to take two university degrees simultaneously. This gives them a more extensive skill set and broadens their potential career paths.

Getting a double degree also gives students more depth in their studies without significantly increasing the number of years they need to stay in school. They are usually longer than single degree programs by about one to two years. This gives students more comprehensive expertise in a shorter period of time.

Here are some of the most popular double degree programs you can consider and what career opportunities await you after you get your college diploma.

Most Common Double Degree Programs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Public Health (MPH)

Getting MBA and MPH college degrees enable you to have a great understanding of both management and public health. It is the perfect double degree program when you want to gain leadership skills and management training while thoroughly learning the most important public health topics such as environmental health issues and health programming.

Common career opportunities for MBA-MPH graduates include:

Healthcare consultant
Hospital administrator
Medical and health services manager
Pharmaceutical project manager

Juris Doctorate (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Taking up a double degree in JD and MBA is ideal for students who want to have a more thorough understanding of law and management. This double degree program takes about three to four years to complete. Students are expected to learn how to properly and effectively handle legal and business issues in a leadership role. It is the perfect double degree program for people who are seeking careers in legal practice, investment banking, venture capital, and entrepreneurship.

Common career opportunities for JD-MBA graduates include:

Arbitrator/Mediator
Bankruptcy attorney
Business owner
Commercial litigator
Corporate attorney
Employment attorney
Entrepreneur
Insurance attorney
Real estate developer
Trust and estate attorney

Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

With MD and Ph.D., you can gain medical knowledge and intensive scientific training at the same time. This double degree program will take a student about seven to ten years to complete. Usually, MD-Ph.D. programs are built upon a university’s regular MD curriculum but are enhanced to refine the students' research expertise. According to the University of British Columbia, it is an ideal double degree program for people who want to begin a career in medical research as a physician-scientist.

Common career opportunities for MD-Ph.D. graduates include:

General surgeon
Neurologist
Radiologist
Medical scientist
Neurologist
University professor

Master of Social Work (MSW) and Juris Doctorate (JD)

Taking up MSW-JD will allow students to have a strong understanding of social work as well as the law. This double degree program is ideal for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others, as they will be equipped with legal system knowledge and competencies in social work.

Common career opportunities for MSW-JD graduates include:

Social service administrator
Public welfare administrator
Family court judicial personnel
Guardian ad litem
Family law attorney
Legal aid attorney
Labor attorney
Corrections
Juvenile court representative
Mediator
Public policy official
Planning official
Nonprofit manager

Masters in Management Information Systems (MIS) and Master in Business Administration (MBA)

By getting MIS-MBA college degrees, students can have a solid foundation when it comes to business leadership and information technology. Through this double degree program, students will learn the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to be effective business leaders. On top of that, this MIS-MBA will also entitle them to gain strong competency in management information systems, which is a critical area in every business today.

Common career opportunities for MIS-MBA graduates include:

Business systems analyst
Chief information officer
Computer network architect
Information technology director
Project manager
Technology consultant

Benefits of Taking a Double Degree Program

Taking up a double degree is no doubt difficult, but it maximizes the amount of knowledge and skills you can learn, making it a worthwhile thing to consider. To see whether getting a double degree program is for you, here are some of its benefits:

Allows You To Study More in a Shorter Period

Double degree programs allow you to study two disciplines at the same time, but it does not add much to the amount of time you spend in college. Rather than spending eight years getting two bachelor's degrees, you can get two degrees over the span of around five years. For this reason, they are much more efficient.

Improves Your Employability

By taking up a double degree program, you can stand out to employers. Your educational background will give you a competitive edge, which is especially important in crowded job markets.

Saves You Money in the Long Run

While getting a double degree is more expensive than getting a single degree, it is far more economical compared to getting those two degrees separately. Students who were going to get two degrees anyway will benefit more from it.

Are Double Degree Programs For You?

Double degree programs enable you to gain more knowledge and skills, making the career opportunities available to you wider. It is also the perfect solution if you cannot decide which career path to choose, as this gives you a way to study them at the same time.

Regardless of whether you want to take a single or double degree, though, the most important thing is that you really want to be in the field you are studying for. That way, once you receive your college diploma, there will be no regrets.

If you want to have even fewer regrets, you can also get an authentic-looking replica of your degree once you receive it. You can use it for a wide variety of things, from displaying it in your house to having a copy when your original is lost or damaged. Check out our website today to find out more.

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