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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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Graduate school has become increasingly important for success in today's competitive job market. As bachelor's degrees become more common, their value has diminished, and employers now seek candidates with advanced qualifications. While a bachelor's degree can still pave the way to success, pursuing a master's degree, particularly an MBA, is often essential for reaching management positions or securing a spot in corporate leadership.

An MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is one of the most sought-after graduate degrees, especially for mid- to late-career professionals. However, even an MBA is losing some of its edge in a crowded job market. In response, universities are offering dual degree programs that allow students to earn both an MBA and a Master of Science (MS) or another business-related degree. This innovative approach enables students to complete two degrees in roughly the same time it would take to earn a single MBA, typically about 1.5 to 2 years. By completing a dual MBA program, you gain expertise not only in business management but also in specialized areas that can set you apart from other candidates.

A dual MBA program not only provides you with broader knowledge but also enhances your career prospects. With dual degrees, you can demonstrate expertise in your field while showcasing a deep understanding of business principles. This combination makes you more attractive to recruiters, both domestically and internationally, who are looking for candidates with well-rounded, executive-level education. If you're aiming to take your career to the next level and meet the evolving demands of the job market, a dual MBA program could be the perfect opportunity for you.

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What Is a Dual MBA Degree?

A dual degree MBA program offers an innovative path for students to earn two graduate degrees—an MBA and a master's degree—in approximately the same time it would take to complete a single degree. This program allows students to gain specialized expertise while still maintaining the rigorous standards and comprehensive curriculum of standalone graduate programs. With additional electives and coursework, students can enhance their education and broaden their professional skill set, making them more competitive in the job market.

Dual degree programs are becoming more common, offering students an all-in-one path to earn both an MBA and a second graduate degree. Unlike the traditional method, which required separate applications and more time, the streamlined approach allows students to complete both degrees in less time, enhancing accessibility to advanced education and supporting company staff development.

Dual degree MBA programs are ideal for students with clear career goals, offering an intensive schedule with little time off. Whether taken online or on-campus, these programs require a strong work ethic but provide a great way to launch a successful career. Many programs are available in the same format as other online MBA or graduate degree options.

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Pros and Cons of a Dual MBA Degree Program

Pros

Dual-degree holders are often seen as a "double threat" because they master two professional fields, offering twice the abilities of single-degree holders. With a dual MBA, you'll have more career opportunities, though many students focus on one field while using their second degree to enhance their work. For example, combining business with law can inform roles like investment banking, where knowledge of corporate law makes you a valuable asset to mergers and acquisitions teams.

A dual-degree program also expands your professional network. MBA alumni often build strong connections that support their careers, and networking is a key reason many pursue an MBA. With a dual degree, you'll meet professionals in both fields, giving you twice the network.

Cons

A dual MBA program has its challenges, primarily the heavy workload. Completing both an MBA and another degree, like law, in the same time it takes to finish one is demanding. If you have a family, they may miss you during long study hours, and balancing work with school can be difficult.

You will also have to shoulder the full brunt of the tuition expenses. Few employers will be willing to pitch in tuition reimbursement if you can’t work for, say, five years. That leaves you relying on financial aid or paying your own way. Employers might also look askance at your choice of a dual-degree program.

Employers might see a dual degree as a sign that you're unsure about your career path, especially if the second degree isn't relevant to the job. For instance, a JD/MBA may not be necessary in many business roles, which could make that legal expertise less useful and impact your potential earnings, reducing the ROI of the degree.

What Dual Degree Programs are Available?

There are many degrees that are now paired with the lauded MBA. These options are thrilling for students who know they will need expertise in two fields if they are to achieve the successes they desire.

Ultimately, if you are planning a long career in nearly any field, an MBA will be helpful. After you have mastered your field and are looking to move into a managerial position, the administrative and leadership aspects of the MBA will be highly desired. Under a traditional model, you could choose a master’s degree in your field and then later explore your need for an MBA. On the other hand, some pursue an MBA that is paired with a concentration that suits their industry or profession. The dual MBA approach ensures that you have the skills to run an organization plus the expertise required in your industry.

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JD/MBA

A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a typical degree for attorneys. When combined with an MBA, students will have a head full of both law and business administration. This is a potent combination that can lead to extremely successful careers.

You might choose to become an investment banker who is able to work on high-level corporate transactions that involve deep knowledge of the content of applicable law. On the other hand, you could choose to be a Bar-certified attorney who specializes in corporate law. Either way you are sure to work on the same deals, just on different parts depending on your chosen focus area. This is a popular dual degree choice for aspiring mergers and acquisitions professionals. It’s also popular for those who wish to work on public deals that involve government oversight, which requires lots of legal work. You’ll need to focus your MBA degree in finance, but your hard work will be richly rewarded.

MD/MBA

It may seem incongruous at first, but there are top programs that offer a Medical Doctor (MD) degree in conjunction with an MBA. That is because there are many students who aspire to go beyond clinical work and into the business realm. Further, there may be aspiring business leaders that wish to excel in the healthcare industry.

The MBA portion of your education will enable you to effectively manage a private medical practice, but it just as easily could launch you into the upper reaches of hospital administration. You might also have a fantastic idea for a new medical technology or procedure that needs keen business acumen to ensure that its market debut is a stellar success for patients and investors alike.

In fact, you can opt to not practice medicine at all. Rather, you can leverage your medical knowledge to lend credibility and authority to a career as a healthcare management consultant. Other options include a career in health and public policy, where your deep medical knowledge can inform your administrative duties and your MBA can help you communicate with the public through social media or events.

MPP/MBA

Market forces often inform public policy, and the reverse can also be true. A Master of Public Administration (MPA) or a Master of Public Policy (MPP) is thus a perfect match for an MBA. The end goal of this dual degree is often for the student to attain a leadership position in government, an NGO, or a consultancy.

To complete this degree, you’ll study all the courses pertinent to public policy. For instance, you’ll study statistical analysis, data science, microeconomics, political science, and policy analysis. You’ll also be steeped in MBA coursework, including topics such as organizational leadership, supply chain, strategic management, financial accounting, corporate responsibility, and business ethics, among others.

If you choose to take each degree separately, you’d spend at least four years in school. However, dual degree programs are geared towards a three-year timetable, yet demand that you take the same number of courses. To help you navigate the intense academic calendar, you’ll have advisers for each part of your degree to provide you with info and help guide you toward the best courses for your career path.

MSN/MBA

Just as there are MD/MBA programs, so there programs that pair an MBA with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This degree is a fantastic opportunity for a practicing nurse to accelerate their career into administration or some sort of entrepreneurship. There are many opportunities for MSN/MBA degree holders.

In fact, this degree can help you insert your overall philosophy of nursing into the administration arena. That is, your administrative decisions can be tempered by a deep sense of caring for patients and their well-being. Further, since nurses are at the front lines of healthcare, they often are the first ones to register inefficiencies and other organizational problems. With your MSN/MBA dual degree, you can conjoin best business practices, leadership, and your nurse’s intuitions to help heal sick healthcare systems. Thus, you can ensure better outcomes for nurses, doctors, and patients alike. Along the way, your employers will applaud your leadership.

MSN/MBA programs can be focused to cater to your specific area of interest. You might choose to concentrate on issues related to information technology, management, health policy, or population management. If you choose to focus on IT, for instance, you might discover better ways to manage patient records so as to avoid harmful drug interactions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a dual specialization and a dual degree program?

Unlike a dual specialization, in which you’ll take extra courses in two subjects, such as supply chain management and administration, a dual degree actually affects the way you apply for your next degree. Earning a dual degree means that you must be accepted to both graduate programs separately, whereas a dual specialization only requires a single application and acceptance while providing you with a few extra classes to bulk up your knowledge.

Is a dual degree program right for you?

A dual degree program is most often right for someone who is either equally interested in two fields of learning or who knows that they are looking to make their way into a career that requires a very high level of education. Some may need to earn doctoral degrees, but others simply need to expand their expertise to include a variety of pertinent information. This is especially important for those who need specialized knowledge in business and a very different field. If this is you, then you might want to consider earning a dual degree of this kind.

Will you earn more money with a dual degree?

One of the best things about a dual degree is that it provides you with more options in your professional life. While this may not earn you more money in the short run, it should allow you to quickly gain promotions, prove your expertise, and gain access to career options that may not be open to everyone. Typically a promotion does provide you an increase in your salary, which is where a dual MBA can help you. Additionally, you will save money in the process of earning your degrees. Earning them over a shorter period of time will mean less money spent and a greater return on investment overall.

What kind of dual degree programs are available?

Most commonly, graduate students tend to combine master’s degrees and professional degrees rather than multiple master’s. This might mean earning an MBA and a Master of Science or Arts, or you could earn a Master of Public Policy degree along with your chosen MS or MA degree. Other common choices include a Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Engineering, and more. An MBA is the most commonly blended degree of all available options. This is because, no matter your specialty, learning more about business in general will always be a good way of earning a higher position in nearly any company.

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