Should i get two degrees

If the majors are closely related, you can get a lot of cross credit and save on tuition. Some schools offer discounts on classes if you have already earned one degree from them.

However, the cost can easily double if the majors are opposed, again like dance and electronics engineering -- you would need different dedicated electronics tools like a multimeter for electronics and dance shoes for dance. A benefit of working toward two degrees is that you may be able to obtain cross credit for your classes, especially if you are getting your degrees at the same institution. For example, your upper-level psychology class could count for your basic humanities requirement in electrical engineering.

What classes qualify for cross credit depends on your institution, though there is significant wiggle room if you present a compelling argument to the dean in charge of those majors. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Students interested in two fields of study can pursue a double major or earn dual degrees, depending on their academic and professional goals.

Double majors are usually only available at the undergraduate level, while dual-degree programs are also popular at the graduate level; graduate programs may feature intensive tracks that cater to students' growing preference for a specialized education. This guide covers how to double major in college and what characteristics to look for in a dual-degree track. You'll also learn about the key differences and similarities between these two academic options.

Highly motivated students can enroll in a dual-degree program to earn two separate credentials, such as a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of fine arts or a bachelor of science and a master of business administration. The two degrees are typically distinct but may complement each other based on a student's career objectives.

For example, some universities offer dual-degree tracks that award an MBA and a master of science in information systems , preparing graduates for careers as IT managers and executives. While degree requirements differ depending on the dual-degree program , they typically include some course overlap that reduces the total number of credits a student must earn.

In general, learners must complete at least credits to earn two bachelor's degrees or a bachelor's and a master's degree, and 60 credits to earn two master's degrees. Students cannot usually create their own dual-degree programs and must instead choose from predefined options. Students who double major earn one degree in two academic disciplines. The credit total typically remains the same as for a single-topic degree at least credits for a bachelor's , and students who plan their studies carefully may not need to spend additional time in school to complete a double major.

Pursuing a double major allows students to develop a more comprehensive skill set. Popular bachelor's options include economics and statistics, business and psychology , and political science and a foreign language. Although students may find some double-major tracks at the graduate level, the inherently specialized nature of master's and doctoral education means these opportunities are limited. At Stanford , you can't have any overlapping classes for your two majors.

Meanwhile, at UC Berkeley , you may have up to two upper-division credits count toward both of your majors. Many students do not declare a double major until at least halfway through their college career. I myself didn't declare my second major until the end of my sophomore year. However, you can declare a double major earlier if you know what you want to study, or possibly later, so long as you'll have enough time to get all the credits you need by the time you intend to graduate.

Furthermore, double majors can typically be completed within the regular four-year span as most undergraduate degrees are. This means that double majors won't usually have to spend any more money or time on their degree than a single major would.

Finally, it's worth noting that some students are able to triple major —meaning they get to study three fields at the same time and still earn just one degree! We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. So far, we've given you the basic difference between a dual degree and a double major as well as in-depth definitions of both academic paths.

Now, we'll take a look at some of the key similarities between the two. Both a dual degree and a double major allow students to study more than one academic field at the same time. As a result, you'll get the advantage of being able to broaden your horizons and expand your knowledge in different subject areas.

This can lead to more effective analytical skills, too, which can be applied to careers and other professional endeavors. According to one study, double majors tend to be more dynamic, creative thinkers than single majors, indicating that there are many intellectual advantages to studying two fields at once. Getting a double major or dual degree can also prevent you from feeling limited or constricted to a single academic discipline.

For example, if you love learning Spanish but aren't sure whether a language major alone will help you get a job after college, you could combine it—via either a dual degree or double major—with another field that's more job-oriented and that offers you the opportunity to learn a different skill set.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of studying two fields, either as a double major or dual degree, is that you're acquiring two individual sets of skills and knowledge. This intellectual diversity can have a positive effect on your future career prospects. Basically, your experience with studying two academic disciplines will allow you to explore a bigger array of possible careers. With these two fields under your belt, you could enter a career related to music or business or a career combining both!

Since you have many of the fundamental skills required or preferred for a job in either of these two fields, we could say your dual degree has, in fact, diversified your career possibilities. The same can be said for a double major. Say you double majored in chemistry and English. With these majors, you'll learn plenty of useful skills, from critical thinking to observation and analysis, that you can apply to several occupations.

For example, you could be a professional writer or work with a company that sells scientific equipment. You could even combine your majors in a more specialized career; for instance, you could become an editor of a science journal. Overall, both a dual degree and double major allow you to not just learn about two fields but also gain a set of broader skills that can be applied to far more careers than had you simply studied one field. For example, dual degree students in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan may request to have a class for one degree "double-count" toward their other degree by submitting a Dual Degree Course Election Form.

At Northwestern , double majors can double-count a limited number of courses toward both their majors if they're majoring in an interdisciplinary field, such as Asian Studies or Neuroscience. We know that a dual degree gets you two separate degrees, whereas a double major gets you just one degree with two concentrations. But what are some other major differences between the two?

Unfortunately, knowledge isn't the only thing to rise when you opt for a dual degree. Since you're earning two degrees, each with its own unique academic requirements, a dual degree program requires more coursework than a double major does. This means you'll generally be in school longer—often five or more years depending on the program and types of degrees you're getting. By contrast, with a double major, you can usually finish college within the regular four-year time frame though some people might take longer, especially if they didn't declare their second major until very late into their college career.

At Indiana University of Pennsylvania , for example, you must earn credits for a double major and credits for a dual degree. Due to this extra time spent in school, a dual degree typically costs more money overall than a double major does You'll need to pay more for tuition since you're taking more credits in total; you'll also need to pay more for things like housing, textbooks, and meals since you'll be staying in school longer. Because a dual degree means you'll be pursuing two degrees from two different schools, you'll usually need to apply to and get accepted to both schools.

By when you must apply to each school depends on the university.