Should You Get a Dual Degree?

Employers want to hire people that add value to their companies and organizations. A graduate or undergraduate degree can represent this potential value, but if one degree is good, does that make two degrees better? In some fields, the answer is “yes.” But getting a second degree will take more time, work and money, so the question becomes whether having two degrees instead of one is worth the cost and effort. The answer to that depends on you and your goals. This guide will help you make the decision by providing an overview of dual degrees, including what they are and what earning one might do for you.

A dual degree is exactly what it sounds like: two separate degrees. However, a dual degree should not be confused with a dual or double major. A double major is two areas of specialization or academic focus that results in only one degree, not two.

Having dual undergraduate degrees is possible, but not as common. They usually occur when a student earns an associate degree on their way to a bachelor’s degree. Two degrees might also be the result of a school’s policy of creating two bachelor’s degrees when a student obtains a double major in two unrelated fields.

Dual degrees are popular because they take less time to earn than if the student obtained each degree individually. For example, getting an MBA usually takes two years (as a full-time student) and a Master of Science (MS) degree in engineering will usually take one to two years (as a full-time student). But a joint MBA and MS engineering degree won’t take three to four years. Instead, it might only take two years – that’s because many of the required course overlap, thus helping a student make faster progress through the program.

Dual degrees can be found at many academic levels, but they’re most common where at least one is a graduate degree. For example, some of the most popular dual degree programs combine two graduate level degrees, like a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). A combination of a bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing, is also very popular.

Not sure exactly what’s out there for dual degree seekers? Here are some great examples.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Despite their challenge, dual degree programs are popular. They can be found at small liberal arts private institutions or major state universities. So how do you choose a program? It begins with your goals.

A dual degree is not the same as a double major. However, there is some overlap.

Students focus on two academic areas of study.

At some schools, a double major in two unrelated fields can result in a dual degree.

Adding a second major may require the completion of roughly the same number of academic credits as obtaining a second degree, such as a master’s.

Students take overlapping courses that satisfy the requirements of two programs of study at once.

Students sacrifice the ability to takes elective courses.

Students must receive permission or acceptance from one or more schools before than can earn either a dual degree or double major.

Getting a dual degree or double major will be more challenging than getting one degree or major by itself.

Double major usually does not result in two degrees.

A double major is usually found at the undergraduate level while dual degrees often involve at least one graduate level degree.

A dual degree program is a combination of two separate degree programs and allows students to complete both in a shorter amount of time than if they attended each degree program separately.

A dual degree is more likely to be professionally useful as job qualifications may require applicants to have a specific degree, but rarely a specific major.

Getting a double major requires students to develop their own course roadmap while dual degree programs have a roadmap already prepared by the school.

The desire to learn or obtain academic enrichment is less of a reason to get a dual degree than it is to get a double major.

Schools typically have established dual degree programs that students formally apply to.

The coursework by itself isn’t necessarily harder than if you earned each degree separately, but you will probably be taking more courses at the same time. Instead of taking 14 or 15 credits, you could take 17 or 18. You may also be in school year-round.

Generally, yes. Even if it costs more per semester or academic year to attend a dual degree program, there will be cost savings because the dual degree can be obtained faster than getting each degree on its own.

Compared to getting each degree separately, yes. Almost all dual or joint degree programs will take a semester, year or two years less than getting each degree individually.

That depends on which degrees you’re looking to get and your prior academic background. A joint JD/MBA program usually takes three to four years (getting each separately will usually take five) and a joint MD/PhD can take anywhere from six to nine years to complete (it would take over 10 years if obtained separately).

That depends on the program and school. Once admitted, students might spend exclusive time at one department or college focusing on the coursework for one degree. Then after a year or two, they may shift to another department or college to start the coursework for the other degree. In other programs, the student may take courses from each respective department consistently throughout most of their academic career. Some schools also allow students to “test out” of certain course requirements to further speed up the process.

The more prestigious the school offering the programs, the harder it will be to gain acceptance. Also, the more unique the joint program, the fewer openings available, which may make it harder to get in. Finally, some programs are inherently more competitive for admittance, such as those offering JD and MD degrees.

Yes, but the whole point to getting a dual degree is to accelerate your learning so you can obtain two academic credentials as quickly as possible. Understand that part-time pursuit will take a long time, although should take a shorter amount of time than if you obtain each degree as a part-time student separately.

Absolutely. In fact, it might be easier to get financial assistance in a dual degree program that involves a master’s degree, especially for those already working. This is because many employers will pay at least part of the tuition for their employees who go back to school.

For most people, no. However, it’s possible that prospective employers may view a job candidate less favorably if they have a dual degree because they might view the candidate as not fully committed for the career they are trying to enter.

That depends on what your professional goals are. If you’re thinking about two degrees in fields you may want a career in, but can’t decide on which, getting a dual degree may provide you the flexibility to make a final decision at a later time. Or if you want a job that involves two separate disciplines, like a medical researcher, it makes sense to get a PhD and MD degree at the same time.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Earning a dual degree takes perseverance and hard work. To handle the inevitable stress, keep these tips in mind.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.