Many people consider the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree to be a high-level academic credential with numerous applications in other fields. Business theory and practice can help a person succeed in a job that has a different primary focus. MBA dual-degree programs are offered by universities all over the world in a variety of formats. The majority of popular programs award dual master’s degrees, but some combine an MBA with a terminal degree, such as a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, dual-degree programs became increasingly popular. Universities used to offer few structured dual-degree programs, with the joint JD/MBA being the most common combination. Universities began developing MBA dual-degree programs to address the need to be versed in more than one career path and grounded in business methods as levels of educational attainment changed and the job market became more competitive in tightening economies. These programs have become even more important as technology enabled the globalization of the international marketplace.
For practical purposes, there are now as many different types of MBA dual-degree programs as schools can imagine. Because every school structures its degree programs differently, imposing a categorization scheme on these types of programs is nearly impossible. The only distinction that matters is between dual master’s programs and programs that combine an MBA with a doctorate. However, within the dual master’s category, degrees ranging from Master of Science to Master of Arts are available across the academic spectrum.
MBA dual-degree programs that include a master’s degree allow students to earn two degrees in one year of study. This type of dual-degree program allows you to complete two two-year degrees in three years instead of four. MBA/MS in urban planning or architecture, MBA/MS in urban planning or architecture, MBA/MS in urban planning or architecture, MBA/MS in urban planning or architecture, MBA/MS in urban planning or architecture, U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200B>U+200 (MIS).
MBAs paired with terminal degrees, or degrees that take longer than two years to complete, fall into the second category of MBA dual-degree programs. In these cases, the combined study will usually save a year over the time it would take to pursue each separately. For example, a structured dual-degree program combining a two-year MBA and a three-year JD can be completed in four years. The MBA and Medical Doctor (MD) degrees, for example, can be completed in five years rather than six. A new trend in MBA dual-degree programs is to offer the MBA and a PhD in any field that a school offers in a seven-year program.