Double Major Vs. Dual Degree In College: The Differences You Should Know.

Double Major Vs. Dual Degree In College

A double major is the awarding of two separate undergraduate academic degrees in the same field. It can be in the same or different colleges or universities; a Primary major and a Secondary Major.

A dual major is an award of two degrees associated with two different institutions, typically one public and one private.

Traditionally, when you seek admission into college, you choose one Degree within an area of interest that is most exciting to you and go for it. This way, what you gain when you graduate is a Single Major.

Differences Between Double Major and  Dual Degree

The major difference between this is that in a DOUBLE MAJOR you earn two different Bachelor’s Degrees simultaneously by focusing on various subjects within a Degree Faculty and gain them in the same time frame as the Single Major and for a DUAL DEGREE program, you obtain two separate qualifications across faculties.

That is a program that will enable you to gain two accreditations in Distinguished fields. Like getting a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Science or getting a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration or even getting two distinct Masters degrees.

The Double major and Dual Degree can appear similar in how they can both, to some extent, be in the same field or faculty, but they differ primarily in how they’re studied and achieved.

The two alternatives can assist you with getting to a more extensive exhibit of job openings. The two degrees are unmistakable yet may complete one another depending on an undergrad or grad’s professional goals. 

Also, researchers found that about a quarter of all students goes after double majors. Some schools may even discover that they have 40% of students going after a Double Major. However, what I am expressing to you here is a single degree with two areas of specialization vs. a two-degree program with an outcome of two accreditations in separate fields.

Is A Double Major The Same as Two Degrees?

Students who earn one Degree in two academic disciplines are the Double Major. A Double major permits undergraduates to foster a more far-reaching range of abilities. The credit total usually remains the same as for a single-topic degree (at least 120 credits for a bachelor’s).

Students who take time to organize their study plans carefully may not need to spend additional time in school completing a double major.

Even though undergrads might find some Double Major tracks at the graduate level, this inherently specific nature of master’s and doctoral schooling implies these chances are limited. Students keen on enhanced alumni level instruction usually choose a double degree program.

What is The Use of a Dual Degree?

Some schools offer Dual-Degree programs that can combine an MBA with a master of science in information systems. These programs are typically shorter than their stand-alone counterparts, and graduates prepare for IT managers and executives careers.

While degree necessities vary contingent upon the Dual Degree program, they usually incorporate some course crossover that decreases the absolute number of credits an understudy should procure.

Generally, students should finish somewhere around 150 credits to acquire two four-year certifications or a single bachelor’s and a graduate degree and 60 credits to procure two graduate degrees. Understudies can’t usually create their double degree programs and must instead look over predefined options.

Measured Differences Between Double Major and Dual Degree

Best Double Major Combinations

I have found Double majors and Dual Degrees you can take in Colleges, including NYU, MIT, UCLA, and many more.

The common ones a few utilize in their Double Major of related fields that go well with each other are:

• Accounting and computer information systems
• Accounting and finance
• Biology and chemistry
• Biology and Psychology
• Communication and Business
• Communication and marketing
• Communication and psychology
• Criminal justice and psychology
• Economics and Finance  
• Economics and foreign language
• Economics and marketing
• Economics and mathematics
• Economics and political science
• Economics and statistics
• Economics and supply chain management
• Education and psychology
• Engineering and mathematics
• Environmental science and marine biology
• Foreign language and international studies
• Foreign language and political science
• Political science and philosophy
• Statistics and public health.

Best Dual Degrees Combinations

1. Dual Degree Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry
2. Dual Degree Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political science
3. Dual Degree Master of Business Admin (MBA) and Juris Doctor (JD)
4. Dual Degree Master of Science in Medical Physiology and Nursing (MSN)
5. Dual Degree Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Work (MSW)

Should I Get a Double Major or Dual Degree?

Since Double Major and Dual Degree programs allow you to study two subjects extensively, you may have two correlative accreditations to prepare for a particular vocation path.

Everyone’s academic history and career objectives are unique. I got a single major, but a double major and a dual degree can prepare you for your desired future achievements. You can get your Dual Degree at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. By contrast, double majors are more common in bachelor’s programs.

In specific fields, I have also noticed that having a Double major on your resume can give you an edge over an opponent or competition and deal with the possibility of acquiring more significant pay.

A lot will say that having a Double Major makes them more ruthless when entering the labor force since It permits some to zero in on two disciplines, related or not, at the same time, within the same study timeframe.

Yet, this isn’t valid for all fields — Some employers value double majors and dual degrees for their employees. Conversely, others may not feel the same way or care that you chose to invest in a Double Major.

According to an article on Bestcolleges, “Liberal arts undergraduates who earned a second major in a STEM field make an average of almost 10% more than their single-major counterparts.”

In some instances, having additional training beyond a university degree can lead to a salary advantage. For example, A particular newspaper published an analysis that revealed liberal arts undergraduate students who earned a second major in a STEM field went on to make an average of 9.5% more annually than their Single Major peers.

Although a double degree program might set aside your cash over the long haul, the program costs more for the time being. Acquiring two degrees likewise keeps you in school longer, deferring regular employment and income.

Also, only about 25% of all undergraduate Double Major in their four-year college education, so definitely, not every person concurs on the worth of a Double Major. And while a few universities urge undergraduates to seek two majors, others effectively debilitate it.

Double majoring can be challenging to make, as it may seem like you are splitting your focus and time. Undergraduate students have found it best to be passionate about one field of study before pursuing a double major.

Pros And Cons Of Double Major

As I have found that many college students could be deciding on a double major to derive more from their college experience, this decision is not always wise and can sometimes lead to problems.

Here are the pros and cons of double majors:

• Exposure to different aspects of society
• Helping to create connections between various fields.
• Expanding the number of jobs that you’re qualified for in the future
• Learning skills that are not exposed when only majoring in one area
• You give undergrads an advantage over other candidates when applying for jobs because employers know that you have a diverse skill set.

And the Cons of taking a Double Major are:

Double majors often require students to take on increased coursework, which may not allow them time for other extracurricular activities such as sports or internships.

In addition to the high time commitment of a double major, students may also have to work long hours to juggle their coursework, leading to a lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition, and even depression.

Students may also be taking risks by not focusing on their Degree directly which could lead to an inability to find a job that satisfies both degrees or the inability of employers to find them qualified for a particular position.

Pros and Cons of a Dual Degree

Many schools offer Dual Degrees across the country. Students choose to get a dual degree because it is an excellent way to combine their interests and expand their skill sets.

The Benefits of Getting a Dual Degree 

Include having more opportunities in the workforce, being more marketable, receiving two certificates for the price of one, and working on personal projects without guilt;

• Students can take a course in one field they are not passionate about and have the opportunity to explore it.
• Students can also find courses that they cannot take at their university or college, but there is a section of the same course offered.
• Students will be able to know what is going on at other schools.
• Permits you to acquire top-to-bottom information and foster appropriate abilities in two disciplines, bringing about two correlative accreditations. 
• Dual degrees can broaden your vocation alternatives since you fabricate a multidisciplinary range of abilities.
• Understudies seeking an advanced education as a component of their program might meet all requirements for administrative positions. 

In my opinion, most Dual Degree students should study at two schools. It will give them an advantage when looking for jobs as they have more opportunities in the workforce.

The Cons of getting a Dual Degree?

• Acquiring dual degrees requires not just an extra venture of cash and time yet additionally two separate affirmation measures. 
• While they might prompt more professional possibilities, dual degrees don’t ensure a higher beginning compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions