Is a Joint MBA Program Right For You?

More and more people are combining their MBA programs with other types of degree programs. Joint MBA and J.D. programs have been common for years now, allowing students to earn their MBA and their law degree at the same time, but nowadays students are joining MBA programs with more surprising types of degrees like International Relations Master's degrees and Master's of Public Health degrees. But are joint degrees worth the extra time and effort?

More and more people are combining their MBA programs with other types of degree programs. Joint MBA and J.D. programs have been common for years now, allowing students to earn their MBA and their law degree at the same time, but nowadays students are joining MBA programs with more surprising types of degrees like International Relations Master’s degrees and Master’s of Public Health degrees. But are joint degrees worth the extra time and effort?

There was a time when it was clear — you want to go into business, you get an MBA. Anything else, find yourself another type of graduate school. Nowadays, though, many people see MBA programs not just as training for future business leaders, but as training for leaders in a range of fields, from politics to the not-for-profit sector to healthcare. MBA programs have responded by offering a greater diversity of courses, but students have also begun to carve out niches for themselves by combining the management training of their MBA degrees with more field-specific training in other degree programs, like education or international development. With so many joint degree programs out there, is an MBA alone enough? Should you be considering doubling up?

What’s so Great about Joint Degree Programs?

Let’s say you want to work in finance, but you also want to make sure you understand tax law and litigation so you can handle the legal side of business as well. Most joint J.D./MBA programs will allow you to earn your MBA and your law degree in four years instead of five. Joint degrees allow you to double count coursework, so you’ll save money and time, and come out with skills that could take you years to learn on the job.

Be Aware of the Sacrifices of Joint Programs

Joint MBA programs can give you the credentials to soar in your profession, but they’re not without tradeoffs. You may feel socially adrift, not quite part of your business school class, not quite part of your public health school class. And if you choose an uncommon joint degree, for instance a Master’s of Social Work degree and an MBA, you may find yourself feeling academically adrift too, working with professors at two different schools who aren’t quite sure what to do with you.

Know Your Purpose Before Jumping into a Joint MBA Program

Joint programs make a lot of sense if you know you want to work in a very specific field. For instance, a joint master’s of public policy and MBA degree will take you great places if you know you want to work for an economic development agency with a strong political advocacy bent. If the purpose of a joint degree isn’t clear to you, however, you may be unnecessarily saddling yourself with a lot of extra work and the extra expense of another year or two of school. You’re likely to be better off exploring your interests through courses within your MBA program or through on-the-job experiences.

Joint MBA degrees are worth a look, but don’t forget that an MBA degree on its own is still an outstanding credential.

Posted on May 19, 2006 at 5:41 PM

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