![]() Grad: Joint- degree programs: An overview. Graduate schools are offering more joint- degree programs in order to meet increasing student demand for specialized educational options. A joint- degree program (see sidebar) is one in which a student enrolls simultaneously in two graduate programs (usually within the same university), and works towards two graduate degrees, with the support and blessing of both programs. Different names, same concept. The terms . At other schools students may design their own joint- degree program. Joint degrees can be combinations of the following: law (JD), medicine (MD), doctorate (Ph. The joint degree program in Law and Cultural Foundations of Education. This unique combination of programs has been initiated by the College of Law and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS).D. Joint- degree programs are most commonly offered in law and business schools. Common joint degrees. Some common joint- degrees include: MBA/JD, JD/MPP, MD/MPH, and MBA/Ed. M. Working on two degrees at once does not mean students have to double up on their course load each semester. Joint- degree programs typically allow students to focus on one or the other degree program at any given time. During academic terms when a student takes courses in both programs, the student is not expected to take more than the normal full- time course load. Two degrees, two admissions applications. As a prospective graduate student seeking a joint degree, you will most likely need to apply simultaneously to the two graduate programs that offer your degrees of interest. After you are admitted to both, you may apply for joint status. For specific instructions for enrolling in joint degrees at your target school(s), read their website. If you are already enrolled in a graduate program, you may be able to apply to another one (whether at your current university or another), letting both schools know that you would like joint status. It is important to check with both graduate programs beforehand to make sure this is acceptable and to find out if there is a standard process for applying to the second program. For example, to apply to the Boston University JD/MPH or MD/MPH dual degree program, you can either apply simultaneously or after enrolling in the law or business program. Applying for a joint law or medical degree as an MPH student is much harder since the dual degree program is structured to give the most benefit to current law and medical students. Knowing this in advance would obviously affect your graduate school application plans if you were applying to the Boston University School of Public Health MPH program first. Also, being a current graduate student of one program does not automatically qualify you for another program at the same university, although it may increase the likelihood of acceptance. Admission into a very competitive program on campus, such as law or medicine, can help prove your qualifications when applying to another program. Working the other way, applying for an . Korey Garibaldi, recruitment coordinator at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, says, . Be careful to follow each application process to the letter if you are applying simultaneously; do not . Each application should be specific to the program for which you are applying. In your personal statement be sure to discuss your intent to pursue joint- degree status either now or in the future (if you are not applying for both degree programs at the same time), and the reasons for such. Whether you decide to pursue the joint degree later is not as important, because they understand you will be working closely with an advisor who will be able to counsel you as you progress through your graduate career and as you find other and perhaps more appropriate opportunities. Your personal statement is where you have the opportunity to explain how the joint degree will suit your career plans. The admissions staff reading your statement will want to know that you have considered your options thoroughly and have a clear idea of what is necessary to achieve your professional goals. Phil Blanc, a joint- degree student we interviewed, encourages joint- degree applicants to . The stronger you can make the case for how they will enhance each other, the stronger an applicant you will be.! ![]() In another year when you've had a chance to strengthen your candidacy, consider applying again to that second program if it still fits with your professional goals. Idealist spoke with students pursuing joint degrees and asked them to share their insights on this approach to graduate study. Maggie Peters was enrolled in the Masters in International Environmental Policy Studies at Monterey Institute of International Studies as a first year when she learned about the option for an MBA dual. MIIS requires a separate application process for joint degrees, but also allows current students to work towards the dual degree while applying separately for the program. As a result, Maggie was able to take business courses during her second year while she completed the MBA application (including studying for and taking the GMAT and submitting a letter of intent). Phillip Blanc had not planned on pursuing a secondary degree as a medical student at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Fortunately, his school allows students to take time off as a . ![]() Perhaps the most widely promoted benefit of a joint degree is receiving an interdisciplinary education that will both diversify and specialize your training and knowledge. In other words, you could go on to build a career in either field on its own because you'll be qualified in both; or you could find a niche career where you combine your mastery of both disciplines in a way that few other professionals can. Joint degrees are particularly valuable if one degree focuses on professional capacity (law, accounting, marketing, foreign language knowledge) and the other focuses on issues you are passionate about or a setting you plan to work in (environmental science, international affairs, public health, theater, faith- based organizations, museum studies, library science). For Maggie, . For example, you may be passionate about international human rights protection and choose to look for graduate programs that offer a law and global public policy joint degree. Or you may be interested in shaping better public policy through the lens of social services and pursue a Masters in Social Work with a Masters in Public Policy. Broaden your network and opportunities. Additionally, a joint degree can broaden your network and opportunities. ![]()
Taking courses in another school and working in different issue areas through internships or classes will bring you into contact with professors, classmates, and colleagues who have diverse life experiences and goals. Phil says his masters program . As the Environmental Initiatives Coordinator in the President's Office, she helped implement a ban of Styrofoam on campus—. Combining a professional skill set and area specialization can help establish you as an expert in a niche, open new opportunities to you, and give you an edge professionally. ![]() Princeton University; New York University School of Law offers a number of dual degree programs with other graduate schools at the University. JD/LLM in International Law. Optimize your investment of money and time. Pursuing two degrees jointly versus separately can optimize your investment of time and money while at grad school. You may be able to receive . For example, if macroeconomics is required for both your MBA and MPA, you may only have to take the course once and get credit for completion of the requirement in both programs. Mutual crediting is one way you can save time and money in a joint- degree program. By completing your degrees in an accelerated amount of time, you will also be back in the workforce and earning an income sooner. Be sure to check with the financial aid office at your school(s) to make sure you know how a joint- degree program will affect your financial outlook in terms of graduate education payments and personal budget. You may still be able to apply for fellowships and assistantships—again check with your target schools for details. Due to Phil's background, he qualified for an accelerated MPH program. Taking advantage of his medical school's allowance for a break in studies as a . Amongst medical students, the likelihood of completing another degree after medical school and before residency is very low because it breaks the flow of the medical track. On the other hand, Maggie cautions, . If you get into both, it does not mean that you have to enroll in both. You may ultimately decide that you only want to pursue one degree. Alternately, you may only be accepted by one program, giving you a sort of fallback plan to your original joint- degree aspirations. Applying for a joint- degree program solely as a fallback plan is not, however, wise. If you are really interested in a degree program such as education and it is offered in a joint- degree program with public policy, it is better to focus on applying to several education programs rather than just applying to the joint- degree program and getting admitted into only the policy program. In Phil's case, he believes that the MPH . Potential employers are looking for great clinicians and outstanding leaders. A secondary degree communicates that you're someone serious and committed to being a contributor in your field. The total time involved will be longer than completing a single degree program (though likely less time than completing two separate degree programs). Additionally, every field of study has its difficult courses. In a joint- degree program you'll be required to master the challenging courses of both degree programs. Phil admits that it was easy to think that the . Socially, professionally, and personally?'. Phil also took a public speaking class that he found invaluable. Some grad schools will allow you to complete your degree at an affiliate campus, such as a grad school in another country.) Residency requirements can take on added significance since residency can affect tuition costs at many state universities and colleges. Searching for or creating your own joint- degree program.
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