What are the Different Types of Joint Degrees Available?

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Joint DegreeThere are several different types of joint degrees available to students who have the ambition and the talent to pursue them. While a few of these joint programs are available at the undergraduate levels, the most common pairings are found at the graduate and professional degree levels. Joint degrees are usually considered by students who either have very specific career goals in mind or who have strong interests in two disciplines. These degrees can be offered through a single school's programs or through partnerships with different schools that may be located abroad, according to US News and World Report. Here are some examples of popular joint degree programs.

J.D. and M.B.A.

The proliferation of financial schemes and white collar crimes can leave a business major feeling like they need to double major in criminal justice just to keep themselves or their organizations out of trouble. However, the next best thing seems to be the combination of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree with a Master's in Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. This is a suitable joint degree program for students who want to work as corporate lawyers. An M.B.A. prepares lawyers to manage their own law firms; this degree also gives lawyers insight into accounting practices that may prove helpful for their cases. This joint degree program takes at least four years to complete, and J.D./M.B.A. graduates are prepared to take the bar exam.

M.S. in Environmental Resources and M.B.A.

Careers in sustainability are very popular since many are concerned about conserving resources and protecting the environment. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Resources and the M.B.A. joint degree program offers students exposure to a number of academic disciplines that include physical science, engineering, technology and business management. For example, students who participate in this particular joint degree program can expect to take course topics like physical hydrogeology, environmental microbiology, computer programming and strategic business management. Students with an M.S. in Environmental Resources and M.B.A. joint degree are prepared to work as leaders in environmental policy departments or as environmental management consultants.

M.D. and Ph.D

The degree programs to become a medical doctor are some of the most challenging around. However, there are still some students who want to push the academic limits in pursuit of their dream jobs, and there are some schools that will accommodate them. One of the most common joint degree programs for future doctors is the one that combines Medical Doctor (M.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees. According to a survey done by U.S. News and World Report, students who apply for M.D. /Ph.D joint programs want to pursue medical research opportunities in addition to practicing medicine. Many young people are being encouraged along this path as prestigious internships and scholarships are offered to them for the pursuit of cancer research training.

Language and International Business

Skilled business people who have been trained to think critically and make decisions within a global context are in demand as many companies seek to do business overseas. There are a great deal of business students who choose the specialization of international business but those who want to set themselves apart from the competition select degree programs that include foreign language acquisition. Joint degree programs in language and international business allow students to learn all aspects of doing business in overseas markets while they grow proficient in one of the common foreign languages used in business like Spanish or French. These programs usually include exciting business and language immersion trips abroad.

Related Resource: JD Degree

Conclusion

Choosing a joint degree takes a great deal of commitment and planning on the part of students. Even though the different types of joint degrees available represent skills that are in demand by industry, joint degree students usually need a genuine passion for both degree disciplines to successfully execute their challenging academic plans.