Double degree
Encyclopedia
A double-degree program, sometimes called a combined degree, conjoint degree, dual degree, or simultaneous degree program, involves a student's working for two different university
degrees in parallel, either at the same institution or at different institutions (sometimes in different countries), completing them in less time than it would take to earn them separately. The two degrees might be in the same subject area (especially when the course is split between countries), or in two different subjects. Undergraduate double-degree programs are more common in some countries than others, and are generally found in countries whose higher-education systems follow the British model. Master's
double-degree programs are more widespread. Interest in double-degree programs between member nations has spread in the European Union
, as the gaining of qualifications from more than one country is seen as an advantage in the European labour market.
Typically in a double-degree program both of the participating institutions reduce the amount of time required to be spent at each. Common Undergraduate double degrees include Engineering and Economics program, Engineering and Business program such as Business and Computing
. They often take 4–5 years to complete instead of 7–8 years to complete separate degrees. Common postgraduate
double degrees are J.D./M.B.A.
degrees, as well as M.B.A. and J.D. degrees combined with M.A. fields such as politics
, economics
, urban planning
, and international relations
. Many medical school
s also offer joint M.D.
degrees with J.D. and M.B.A. programs, as well as with a range of M.A. programs. Some universities even offer dual Ph.D/M.B.A
degree, PhD portion is mainly in science and engineering, which target entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Double degrees should not be confused with double major, or with the occasional practice of awarding a further qualification with a worked-for (especially research) degree, nor with the awarding of a single degree by multiple institutions. Double majors or dual majors consist of two majors attached to a single degree, as opposed to two separate degrees each with its own field of study.
In Canada
, Australia and increasingly Hong Kong
, many teacher candidates study simultaneously for a Bachelor of Arts
and a Bachelor of Education
. These are known as "concurrent-education" programs.
, a dual degree program is based on a formal agreement within one college/university or between separate colleges/universities. Students spend 2-3 years in each degree program. After completing all requirements for both programs (usually in four to five years) the student is awarded two degrees in one of the following combinations: (1) Associate's and Bachelor's programs - an associate degree from a community college and a bachelor's degree from a partner university; (2) Dual Bachelor's Degree programs - two Bachelor's degrees; (3) Dual Bachelor's Master's Degree programs - a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree; (4) Dual Graduate Degree programs - a combination of M.A., M.S., J.D., M.B.A., or Ph.D.
Dual degrees can be from the same school, or from two different colleges/universities that entered a dual degree agreement; and in the same major, or in different majors. Students enter a dual degree program to accelerate their education or to enrich their professional portfolio by adding a new major.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
degrees in parallel, either at the same institution or at different institutions (sometimes in different countries), completing them in less time than it would take to earn them separately. The two degrees might be in the same subject area (especially when the course is split between countries), or in two different subjects. Undergraduate double-degree programs are more common in some countries than others, and are generally found in countries whose higher-education systems follow the British model. Master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
double-degree programs are more widespread. Interest in double-degree programs between member nations has spread in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, as the gaining of qualifications from more than one country is seen as an advantage in the European labour market.
Typically in a double-degree program both of the participating institutions reduce the amount of time required to be spent at each. Common Undergraduate double degrees include Engineering and Economics program, Engineering and Business program such as Business and Computing
Business and Computing
A Business and Computing is a dual degree program offered jointly by some computing and business schools. The program generally lasts four-five years instead of seven-eight years to complete separate the two degrees and results in the candidate earning both a Bachelor of Business degree and a...
. They often take 4–5 years to complete instead of 7–8 years to complete separate degrees. Common postgraduate
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
double degrees are J.D./M.B.A.
J.D./M.B.A.
A J.D./M.B.A. or M.B.A./J.D. is a dual degree program offered jointly by many law and business schools. The program generally lasts four years and results in the candidate earning both a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree...
degrees, as well as M.B.A. and J.D. degrees combined with M.A. fields such as politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, urban planning
Urban planning
Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
, and international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. Many medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
s also offer joint M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degrees with J.D. and M.B.A. programs, as well as with a range of M.A. programs. Some universities even offer dual Ph.D/M.B.A
Ph.D/M.B.A
A Ph.D./M.B.A. or M.B.A./Ph.D. is a dual degree program offered by some science, engineering or social science schools jointly with business schools. The program generally lasts four to eight years and results in the candidate earning both a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Business...
degree, PhD portion is mainly in science and engineering, which target entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Double degrees should not be confused with double major, or with the occasional practice of awarding a further qualification with a worked-for (especially research) degree, nor with the awarding of a single degree by multiple institutions. Double majors or dual majors consist of two majors attached to a single degree, as opposed to two separate degrees each with its own field of study.
In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Australia and increasingly Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, many teacher candidates study simultaneously for a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and a Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Education
A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a teacher in schools.-North America:...
. These are known as "concurrent-education" programs.
Dual degree programs
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a dual degree program is based on a formal agreement within one college/university or between separate colleges/universities. Students spend 2-3 years in each degree program. After completing all requirements for both programs (usually in four to five years) the student is awarded two degrees in one of the following combinations: (1) Associate's and Bachelor's programs - an associate degree from a community college and a bachelor's degree from a partner university; (2) Dual Bachelor's Degree programs - two Bachelor's degrees; (3) Dual Bachelor's Master's Degree programs - a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree; (4) Dual Graduate Degree programs - a combination of M.A., M.S., J.D., M.B.A., or Ph.D.
Dual degrees can be from the same school, or from two different colleges/universities that entered a dual degree agreement; and in the same major, or in different majors. Students enter a dual degree program to accelerate their education or to enrich their professional portfolio by adding a new major.
See also
Grete S. Bosch, The “internationalisation” of law degrees and enhancement of graduate employability: European dual qualification degrees in law, The Law Teacher, Volume 43, Issue 3 December 2009 , pages 284 - 296.- Academic majorAcademic majorIn the United States and Canada, an academic major or major concentration is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits....