Selecting a
business school that meets your professional objective is not easy - and it
can be further complicated if you think that you might like to pursue a dual
degree or concentration! The MBA typically offers skills and knowledge in
general management that help professionals take on new responsibilities and
open up new opportunities for advancement.
Joint degree
programs are designed to allow students with strong interest in two
professional areas to study for two graduate degrees at the same time. These
intensive programs generally require that a candidate fulfill all of the
first-year foundation requirements of both degree programs. The benefit comes
as you complete your elective coursework, where certain courses can be applied
to both degree requirements. Typically, joint degree programs reduce, by one
year, the time required if you were to complete the two degrees separately.
For example, at Georgetown, an MBA coupled with another two-year graduate
program would take 3 years to complete. An MBA with a Juris Doctor (law
degree) would take 4 years. An MBA with a medical degree (MD) would last 5 years.
Another option is
to choose a concentration. This can be done during the two-year MBA program
without additional time. A concentration focuses elective course work on a
specific functional area. A concentration, major, or focus (they all mean the
same thing) is a good idea for people who know they are going to focus their
career in a specific direction and want to build a stronger skill base in that
area.
Dual
degree - fad or fabulous?
Thomas Schroeder
Director Business
Development
Australian Graduate
School of Management
Over the last
couple of years business schools have seen a proliferation of dual (joint)
degrees at their campuses. A dual degree is usually a combination of a
traditional MBA with another Masters degree in an entirely different
discipline like law, medicine, engineering, or information technology. These
programs typically require admission by both faculties.
Prospective
candidates should consider a few things choosing this option. One often cited
advantage is that dual degrees usually take less time to complete compared to
studying two different masters degree independently. However, this comes at a
cost in the form of increased tuition and more time than the MBA alone. The
workload for dual programs tend to be even more demanding than the MBA program
alone. Juggling requirements for two degrees implies trade-offs concerning
choice of electives and summer internship options. These programs tend to
require a tight curriculum with limited flexibility. According to recruiters,
actual work experience in the field may be as valuable as an additional
degree. But for candidates who know exactly what field they want to work in
after their studies, a dual degree can offer a competitive advantage and an
important point of differentiation on their resume.
The dual degree
option offers definite pros and cons. It is yet another reason why it is so
important for MBA candidates to be clear about their career goals before
choosing among the different options
Broadening
the learning and adding skills
Charmaine Courtis, Executive Director
Students Services
and Relations
Schulich School of
Business
York University
In the early '70s
the Schulich School of Business launched its first joint program between the
business school and the law school. This four-year, full time MBA/LLB program
allowed entrants to complete the two degrees in a reduced time period.
Students are required to complete first year in each of the programs and then
combining course work from both programs during the remaining two years of
study. The joint program gives graduates added support in career direction and
choice. By completing the two programs simultaneously they demonstrate to
future employers a capacity for multiple lines of thinking, problem solving
and framing. These graduates are highly sought after and are extremely
successful.
A different kind of
dual degree permits a student to earn two MBA degrees from two business
schools. The student spends the first year of the MBA in a prominent MBA
degree program and the second year at Schulich where the student has over 20
different specializations to choose from. The dual degree reduces the
financial pressures for the international student who wishes to have a North
American experience as they only have to budget for one year abroad. For many,
this is a high value-added proposition. Additionally, these graduates have the
full benefit of both schools with placement opportunities internationally. The
graduates become alumni of each school. By studying in two different
environments they also have learned to be adaptable, and have developed
different analytical and problem solving skills. These graduates are truly the
leaders of tomorrow. This option makes the MBA degree truly transnational.
By -
Monica Gray, Director of Admissions
McDonough School of
Business
Georgetown
University
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