As America’s emerging professional workforce is increasingly seeking more in-depth skills to maintain the competitive edge required in the 21st century market, joint MBA degree programs are becoming increasingly popular and abundant at the nation’s top business schools. Joint degrees are offered to enable graduate students to complete coursework in two different fields of study concurrently and complete both degrees in an accelerated format. Building a strong foundation in business and management can appeal to individuals seeking to easily transition into leadership roles in various chosen professions. If you are a prospective graduate business student, read on to learn about what you should know about the pros and cons to trendy Joint MBA programs.
Different Types of Joint MBA Degrees Available
Since an MBA is like chocolate and goes well with virtually any program, there are a growing number of dual degrees being offered in various professional fields. For students pursuing a leadership career in healthcare, the MBA is popularly paired with a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Students interested in in technical professions may find dual MBA programs available to complement earning a master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or Energy Production. Other popular joint MBAs offer the chance to pursue a Master of Education (MEd), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or Juris Doctor (JD) too.
Advantages of Pursuing a Dual MBA Program
If you committed to business degree, but also have strong professional interests in another area, joint MBA degrees are extremely advantageous to receive credentials in both of fields. While saving a year or more of advanced graduate studies, dual degrees offer students access to both short and long-term career flexibility to chase their dreams in either field freely. After graduation, many joint degree MBA holders will have higher marketability in the job market due to their extensive range of management skills and breadth of knowledge in a specific professional avenue. As a result, these graduates tend to have enhanced leverage for attracting better prospects, negotiating starting salaries, and receiving promotions quickly.
Disadvantages to Beware in Joint MBA Degree Programs
As with any good thing, there are always some downsides that you should be aware of before making the commitment to a joint MBA program. Although it is considerably cheaper than pursuing both of these degrees separately, dual MBA programs typically come with a rather hefty tuition cost and could overwhelm those on a tight budget. If you are hoping to receive employee assistance to cover the costs, many employers do not favor joint MBAs that require more than two years out of the workplace. In addition, internships can be difficult for joint MBA candidates to obtain as firms traditionally recruit individuals who will graduate in two years. Dual degree programs also come with twice the amount of preparation to apply to both schools and take both qualifying entrance exams.
Overall, pursuing a dual degree is only a viable option when it will enhance your career for a greater purpose than simply adding more letters to your name. For instance, those interested in practicing medicine will probably not need an MBA unless they plan to open and manage their own practice. If you make the decision that this is the right path for you, make sure you choose from joint MBA degree programs that have been fully accredited and visit both of the schools to ensure that your goals will be properly met.
