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October 2004
Doing the Dual
Is a Joint or Dual Degree Program Right
for You?
Do dual degree programs, such as those that join a
graduate business degree with a medical degree
(MBA/MD), make sense for students? Many applicants may
wonder if these combined degrees are worth the time, effort
and expense. The simple answer is:
Sometimes.
Dual degree programs are proliferating
at universities around the country and have been driven by
increased student requests. "It's definitely a function of
supply and demand," said Michael States, Assistant Dean for
Admissions at The University of North Carolina's School of
Law. "Schools are offering a wider range of dual degree
programs because students are asking for them."
What may have begun as an accommodation
for specific students or large employers, such as the U.S.
Military, is now a key marketing tool. Many schools are
using dual degree programs as a way to reach a greater
number of prospective students by offering a broader range
of degree options. Dual programs are being promoted on
university websites and in promotional materials as evidence
of the variety of choices a specific school has to offer.
For students, dual degree programs may
represent a savings of both time and money when compared to
the option of pursuing the same two degrees individually.
Most dual MBA/JD programs, as an example, can be earned in
four years as opposed to the five
years it would take to earn them separately.
Dual programs usually require that students be enrolled full
time and that they take at least some of the course work
outside of the traditional academic year (read summer
school). Needless to say, the schedule and the course load
necessary to complete a two-degree program simultaneously
will require a high level of commitment on the part of the
student.
So when does a dual degree make sense?
Heike Spahn, a law school consultant with
AdmissionsConsultants
and former Assistant Dean at
University of Chicago Law School answers, "If the applicant
has a very specific career goal, or if they have a passion
for a particular area, then a dual program might be the
right choice." As examples, Spahn points to students who
may want to combine their law degree with a masters degree
in accounting for a career as a corporate tax attorney, or a
business school candidate with a strong interest in medical
care who combines an MBA with a Masters of Health Services
Administration. "As an applicant for these programs, you
have to be very clear on why you want both degrees." Said
Spahn. "When applicants tell me that they want to get a
dual degree because they think it's 'cool,' I know that they
haven't yet recognized all of the work
(and money) that goes into completing these
types of programs."
This "coolness factor" leads to another
point. Some applicants are under the misconception that
dual programs offer an easier way to gain acceptance into a
specific graduate school. The truth, however, is very
different. "Most dual programs require acceptance from both
departments. An MBA/JD candidate will typically have to
meet standards on both the GMAT
and the LSAT as well as having the background, work experience and
academic achievement record to needed to get into each
program separately. Since any two departments may be
looking for very different things, it's sometimes difficult to be a strong candidate in
both disciplines." Said Spahn.
So if dual programs are not an easy way
in, does it increase your career chances on the way out?
Again, the answer needs to be qualified. "If you are
looking to work for a law firm that specializes in corporate
tax law, then having an MBA/JD may be an advantage, but if
the firm has a more general practice, then it may not be
that attractive. The degree you have is going to be looked
at in the context of many other factors that go in to making
a hiring decision." Said Spahn. UNC's States agrees.
"A lot of students have a good idea about the area of law they want to
study and they think that having another degree (in
combination with a law degree) will help them to be more
marketable." States said. But he adds, "I
honestly think that any area of law that a student may want
to specialize in is covered in the coursework of most law
degree programs."
While a dual degree may be a good
option if you have a very specific career path in mind or if
you have a passion for a particular area of study, it may be
a good idea to wait until you are sure before adding a
second degree. "Many programs allow you the flexibility of
adding a second degree." Said States. "You may
need to take the time to learn what you want to do, so wait
until you are sure about it before deciding on a dual degree
approach."
If a graduate law or business degree is what you are
after, and if you have a particular area that you wish to
concentrate your career on, then whatever you're looking
for, there is probably a dual program offered at any number
of universities. These programs are difficult to get
into and they are equally difficult to complete. It
takes a high level of commitment and a clear understanding
of your career goals to be successful. So be sure you
clearly understand the requirements of any program beyond
the pictures on a website or the summary in the recruiting
brochure before making a decision.
This article brought to you by
www.businessschooladmission.com.
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