Calling all students with varied interests! If you’re looking to get your master’s degree in Business Administration, but you don’t want to commit to one area of study, then pursuing a dual degree program might be the option for you. Many schools provide the opportunity to pursue another degree alongside your graduate business education. Prospective students can do so through a joint degree program.
In a dual degree program, you can study for two degrees simultaneously. Say, for example, you’re interested in pursuing both your MBA degree and another master’s degree in Public Health. Essentially, dual degree MBA programs are perfect for students interested in getting two graduate degrees at once. Often, core courses for one program can double as electives for another, which allows you to gain the degree in a shorter amount of time.
When deciding to pursue two degrees at once, it’s likely you will need to apply separately with both schools that your majors fall under and consider the admissions requirements of each individual school. Your MBA dual degree path will need to be looked at and approved before you can begin undertaking the process. The specific rules and deadlines vary from university to university, so be sure to do your research about the dual degrees available before reaching out about the possibility.
We’ve curated a list of what we think are the best dual degree MBA programs in the country. Each program has a different catalog of dual degrees you can pursue based on what the university specializes in or focuses on.
It should come as no surprise to anyone well-acquainted with the country’s top business schools, but HBS dual degrees rank highly on our list of MBA dual degree programs. In a collaborative effort with six graduate schools, HBS offers seven dual degree options:
Stanford offers six common pre-established options for pursuing an MBA dual degree program. If the pre-established programs don’t fit a dual degree student’s interests, then they can pursue another master’s degree in a separate program. Dual degree students choose between the following combinations currently on offer:
The Wharton School partners with other universities to provide some of their joint degree programs. Typically, these courses are completed in three years. There are more programs on Wharton’s website, including full breakdowns of which schools have partnered up to create the program. You can find their dual degree program breakdown here. Some dual degree MBA programs on offer include:
Chicago Booth and the University of Chicago work together to bring an impressive 10 joint degree and certificate programs to their MBA students. These dual MBA programs are open to full-time MBA students:
Columbia Business School offers several dual degree programs. Generally, MBA dual degree programs take one year less to complete than pursuing each graduate degree separately. It varies case by case, but you should expect a dual degree program to take about three years. Dual degree candidates must apply to the Business School separately from the second program for their dual degree.
Very! Earning a competitive GMAT or GRE score is critical for admission to top MBA programs (competitive meaning 90th percentile or higher) . That’s partly because a high score reflects your potential to succeed in the classroom—and it’s also because business schools rely on high test scores to maintain their position in the rankings.
As with everything else MBA-related, at Menlo Coaching, we take a practical, no-nonsense approach to GMAT and GRE prep. Our curriculum is based on 100% official material and is designed to help you earn a high score in as little time as possible. So if you’re applying for a top MBA program, let us help you get started on the right foot.
First and foremost, candidates interested in getting a graduate business degree and pursuing another interest can only benefit from the pursuit of a dual degree.
Aside from that, though, holding both an MBA and another master’s degree separates you from many other candidates who may be applying to the same jobs that you are. The dual degree option widens your reach and expands your career potential, and it allows you to chase career goals that you may not have been able to had you pursued an MBA alone.
When you have specialized expertise in a specific area, you are more likely to be considered for jobs because employers are confident that you know what you’re talking about. With a dual degree MBA program, your employer can rest assured that you have both been prepared for the business world and highly educated in a concurrent, relevant degree.
Explore opportunities to pursue another degree alongside your MBA with personalized advice from our dedicated MBA application consultants.
Lainie Blum Cogan
Sr. Consultant & Director
Education: BA, MA
Since 2008, Lainie has worked with a wide variety of MBA applicants, including dual-degree candidates, nonprofit entrepreneurs, PE professionals, and more. A published author, Lainie draws on her writing and storytelling abilities to help applicants target top programs, and her track record includes acceptances from every M7 program—plus hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship awards.
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