Is a Dual Degree Right for You?

UPDATE: This article was originally posted on June 1, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

There are a million and one ways to customize an MBA. As more and more students are demanding programs that suit their specific career objectives at the intersection of business and many other fields, business schools have continuously adapted to offer more and more dual degree options.

Essentially, a dual degree MBA allows students to combine a business degree with a different graduate study program focused on anything from engineering to healthcare to education. Although pursuing a joint degree means more time and academic challenge, you can really focus on your niche and help your profile stand out to potential employers post-graduation. 

While the variety of different dual degree programs can be overwhelming, there is definitely a program out there for everyone! That’s why, in this post, we go through the basics of dual degree programs and cover some of the best options out there.

 

What kinds of dual degree programs are out there?

Chances are, if you can think of a joint program to complement an MBA, it’s out there. That’s why, in this section, we can’t cover all of the types of dual degrees available. However, we will be going through the most common types that students choose to pursue and explaining what they entail.

MBA/MEng or MBAi

There are a lot of individuals with engineering backgrounds working in business. This makes the MBA and Master of Engineering combination so popular. The MBA/MEng gives students the opportunity to develop leadership and analytical skills at the intersection of technology and business. With this degree, tech-oriented students focus on a wider range of problems and solutions than those who simply pursue an MBA. With an MBA/MEng, you are more likely to earn a high-quality leadership position in the tech/engineering field than if you graduate with an MBA.

The MBAi, a joint degree between Kellogg and the McCormick School of Engineering, is a program specific to this business school. While it is similar to the MBA/MEng in that it provides expertise at the intersection of business and engineering, Kellogg’s MBAi is more focused on business innovation, focusing on areas like machine learning, data science, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking. While other dual degrees typically take at least two to three years, this program is only five quarters (including a summer internship). With an MBAi, you can expect to work in tech operations, analytics, or other innovation leadership roles; examples include machine learning engineer, business intelligence developer, data analyst, or tech entrepreneur.

Kellogg School of Management. Source: kellogg.northwestern.edu

MBA/MPP or MPA

One of the most common dual degrees that our clients pursue is the MBA/MPP (master’s in public policy) or MBA/MPA (master’s in public administration). This is because public policy is almost always intertwined with economic and market considerations and forces. Alternatively, knowing how to manage non-profit organizations and/or conduct statistical analyses with a keen business mind can lead to a great amount of impact on public policy, and in fact, many of these organizations seek external consulting firms in order to solve key internal and external problems they face. With an MBA/MPP, you have a wide range of options, whether it’s founding your own NGO, securing a consulting career focused on a certain policy area, or even running for office!

Harvard offers a particularly popular set of choices for those interested in one of these dual degrees. HBS’s partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School has resulted in two joint degrees focused on public policy and administration in international development, both of which last three years. Both programs’ curricula focus on management skills to shape innovative public policy across business, government, and nonprofit organizations for the good of society.

Harvard Business School. Source: hbs.edu 

 

MBA/JD

A JD, or Juris Doctor degree, is for those specialized in law. MBA/JD programs are often for those interested in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and finance. Graduates with a joint MBA/JD can end up with positions such as heads of law firms, legal/financial advisors, and management positions in legal departments of companies.

One of the best MBA/JDs out there is Columbia’s, as it focuses on how law and business must constantly adapt to evolutions in innovation and changing global issues. The curriculum, which lasts three years, allows students to build foundations in both areas, follow their areas of interest through electives, collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research, and network with others involved at the intersection of law and business.

Columbia’s campus. Source: columbia.edu

MBA/MPH or MBA/MD

More and more business professionals are interested in getting into healthcare. This is because, especially in the United States, business is integral to public health, whether it’s managing the research behind cutting-edge medicines, innovating technologies for healthcare services, or managing public or private health systems. 

With an MBA/MPH, you will be uniquely positioned to understand the potential for business and government to collaborate on critical health-related solutions for society. Similarly, with an MBA/MD, graduates can pursue roles in medical administration to increase their success with their private practices or go into healthcare management consulting.

Berkeley Haas offers one of the best dual MBA/MPH programs. Haas’s dual degree lasts 30 months and includes coursework focused on healthcare leadership and two immersive summer internships. Graduates of this program have earned senior positions in a variety of health-related industries, including care delivery, insurance, biotech, consulting, pharmaceuticals, and social impact.

The University of Berkeley. Source: berkeley.edu

 

MBA/MA in Global Affairs/International Studies

As the field of business becomes increasingly global, having international expertise and leadership skills can be a key distinguishing factor in your career success. With this dual degree, students not only get the opportunity to travel during their studies but also gain intercultural leadership skills and the time to learn a new language in addition to their business courses. 

One of the most reputed joint business and global affairs programs is Wharton Lauder’s MBA/MA in International Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania. This two-year program includes in-class and field-based learning focused on the key geographic, historical, social, political, economic, and cultural factors that influence the constantly moving world of global business. As a student, you get to choose between six areas of specialization: Africa; East and Southeast Asia; Europe; Latin America; South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa; or global. With a range of immersive and innovative opportunities for global learning, Wharton’s Lauder program is one of the best available if you are interested in honing in on the international aspect of your career or want to really expand your cultural adaptability!

The University of Pennsylvania. Source: upenn.edu

 

MMM (MBA/MS in Design Innovation)

Another popular dual degree program is the MMM program offered by Kellogg, which prepares graduates to drive innovation across industries. This two-year curriculum is focused on business, technology, and design, preparing students to lead cross-functional teams comprising business strategists, engineers, and designers and leverage human-centered design and analytics to better understand customers’ needs.

 

Get into your dream dual-degree program

While dual degree programs are cutting-edge opportunities to build unique skills and networks in an interdisciplinary way, they are often very selective since candidates must be accepted by both schools offering the degree. 

Luckily, Ellin Lolis’s expert admissions team has what it takes to help you craft a winning application. We have plenty of experience getting our clients into top dual degree programs – that’s because we know how to frame your essays and profile in a way that markets your strengths to both schools you’re applying to. 

If you want to put the Ellin Lolis Advantage to work for you, apply to work with us today!