Does A Double Major Result In A Double Degree
Having two majors does not result in having two degrees. Students pursuing a double major will complete two sets of degree specialization requirements. However, they will earn only one degree a bachelors degree. A double major and a dual degree may sound alike, but they are two different things.
Many students think that the reason why double majoring is a good idea is that it lets them get their hands on a couple of degrees. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
If you declare and commit to two majors successfully, you will still earn one bachelors degree like everybody else. What you will get is a degree with a double major.
Although it will result in a single degree only, double majoring lets you obtain two sets of knowledge base and skills, which can increase your job market value and profitability.
A 2016 article published by Cambridge University Press said that around 20% of students have double majors.
The same online article revealed that students who double major in business and in a STEM field earn more money than those with just one major. However, students who double major in liberal arts and in business or a STEM field do not generate more cash than those with just a single major.
Speaking of dual bachelor degrees, check Five-Year, Two-Bachelor-Degree Programs at Lehigh University. The university offers combined degrees, such as CSB or IDEAS .
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What Are Double Majors
The general definition of a Double Major is basically one college degree with two subject majors. Some common examples are a first major or primary major in Business, and a second major or additional major in Sociology business majors, such as a first major in business economics, and a second major in political science-economics.
If students have the desire, schedule, and other available resources at their disposal, most universities will allow them to study two disciplines at the same time. However, each university has its specific definition of what constitutes a Double Major, and students should therefore meet with academic advisors of both departments, to understand what undergraduate programs and graduate programs require for Double Majors, what are the classes required in the freshman year, and sophomore year, and what the requirements would be for Double Major combinations.
How To Double Major
At the undergraduate level, students usually take four years to earn a degree with one major. But if done carefully and with the universitys approval, the student can manage Double Majoring in the same time frame.
Typically Bachelors degrees are 120 credits. General education requirements take up about 40 credits, and the major will require about 40 to 50 credits, leaving roughly about 30 to 40 credits available for electives, or that second major. Students will need to take the necessary procedural steps to declare a Double Major officially. Speaking with an academic advisor is often a requirement for students, before acceptance into a Double Major program. The academic advisor can help ensure that the student gets the right courses, in the right order.
Furthermore, students will probably need to complete a special application for a Double Major. This will typically include a course outline or roadmap of how they plan on earning the Double Major. It may also include a statement of purpose that includes the reasons why they want to pursue two majors. Only after the college or university approves the application, is the Double Major possible.
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Tips For Managing A Double Major
Double majors have a lot more on their plate than their single major counterparts when it comes to choosing what classes to take, graduating in four years, and managing their time. Students can use various ways to stay on track. Below we offer a few tips.
- Speak With an Advisor
- Advisors act as students’ guides through their academic careers. Learners should prioritize finding an advisor who understands how to navigate a double major. Ask older double major students who they recommend. Once a student selects their advisor, they can sit down together to make a road map and plan their course load.
- Manage Your Time
- Time management is especially vital for double majors. Students need to find a planning system that works for their needs. Examples include a paper planner, Google calendar, or a unique productivity tool. Learners can benefit from finding a routine for time management and carving out space in their schedule to study.
- Double Check the Requirements
- Double majors possess twice the amount of requirements than students with just one major. Learners should consider printing out each major’s requirements and keeping them somewhere they will see them often. Then, when class enrollment comes around, they can easily find what they still need to take.
Economics And Finance Double Major
If you love to buy, sell or trade in the stock market, pursuing an Economics-Finance double major is your perfect combination. Without a doubt, many people consider economics as the mother of finance. From a quantitative and qualitative perspective, Economics offers a critical understanding of the financial markets in general. With cryptocurrency emerging, a double major in economics and finance is an excellent starting point for students interested in investment banking, hedge funds, and other related ventures.
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Law And Accounting Double Major
Like Business, Accounting is a flexible double major option that you can combine with just about any subject. Another double major option combined with accounting is Law. A Law and Accounting double major is excellent for students interested in working in the financial compliance field.
If students plan to attend law school or prepare for the CPA examination, a double major in Law and Accounting is perfect, too! Tax law, for instance, is one branch of law and is an emerging sector in the labor market.
Dual Degree Vs Double Major: Key Takeaways
Both a double major and a dual degree involve the study of two academic fields. However, there’s a big difference between the two academic paths: a double major means you’ll get one degree with two concentrations, whereas a dual degree means you’ll get two separate degrees , one for each area of specialization.
Typically, double majors involve the study of two related fields of study whose majors are housed in the same school or college at a university. This means you’ll graduate with one type of degree, such as a BA or BS, with two concentrations.
Students usually have until at least the beginning of their junior year to declare a double major. Most double majors are able to graduate within the typical four-year time frame and therefore won’t need to spend more money on credits/tuition than a single major would.
Dual degrees also require more credit hours than single degrees and double majors, since you need to complete the requirements for two separate degrees.
The best way to figure out whether a double major or a dual degree is right for you is to take our quiz above. To reiterate, here are the main questions to ask yourself before you make your choice:
- What academic fields do you want to study in college ?
- How much coursework are you willing to handle at one time?
- Are you OK with having to spend more time and money on your degree?
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The Difference Between A Major And A Minor
The USA education system is very complicated as there are different degrees you have to be aware of. Still, a double major shouldnt be confused with a degree with a major and a minor. Your major is the field of expertise you wish to pursue, and you could pursue a double degree in totally different fields. On the other hand, your minor is a secondary focus of study, and it mostly compliments your major. Fulfilling a minor requires students to earn about 18 to 30 credit hours. On the other hand, finishing a major usually requires 40 to 50 credit hours therefore, you have to earn 100 credit hours to earn a degree with a double major.
How Do I Declare My Major
First of all, become familiar with the requirements of your major. You can do this by meeting with a departmental advisor. Some majors have requirements that must be met before you can declare the major. Examples of such requirements are prerequisite courses, achievement of a specified grade point average, and/or other specific admissions requirements. Many major departments require an orientation prior to declaring the major, and others require you to take a certain number of courses before meeting with your departmental advisor. It is important to find out what your chosen department requires in order to begin and remain on your degree planning timeline.
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Evaluate The Requirements Of Each Major
If you select one major that complements another, not only could it be promising to your career outlook, but it could shorten your overall time in school. You should also be passionate about both fields of study so the knowledge you gain is a reward in and of itself for the work and time you invest.
Con: You May Not Graduate In Four Years
More classes and workload can mean you have to push back your graduation date. If youre looking to only spend four years in college, whether for personal or financial reasons, this may not be the correct choice for you. It can be done, but requires very specific planning and some luck when it comes to course scheduling. Talking to your adviser should be your first course of action.
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Dual Degree Vs Double Majors
At some schools, students who Double Major in unrelated fields, like History and Nursing, will get two degrees, and if the students majors are in related fields, like Business & Economics, and Commerce, they will only graduate with one degree. In other words, Double Majoring is typically obtaining one degree, while doing a Dual major typically results in two degrees. Exactly how this works will depend on the schools specific rules, the graduate program, and the two chosen subjects.
There is also the possibility of a Dual Degree at different academic levels. For instance, students may be able to enroll in a Dual Degree program where they earn a Bachelors degree in Accounting, along with a Masters in Accounting. Earned separately, it might take six years to complete both degrees. But with this Dual Degree program, it takes five years.
Whats The Difference Between A Double Major And A Dual Degree
Colleges and universities may differ slightly in the terminology they use. Generally, however, a dual degree means that you earn two separate degrees simultaneously.
For instance, you may earn a Bachelor of Science while also earning a Bachelor of Arts, or you may be able to work toward your bachelor and masters degrees at the same time.
- Some schools offer programs specifically designed to result in a dual degree.
- The University of Pennsylvanias Huntsman Program, for example, culminates in a B.A. in International Studies from the School of Arts and Sciences and a B.S. in Economics from Wharton School.
A double major, on the other hand, typically leads to one degree with two concentrations or areas of specialization.
- When you double major, your two majors usually belong to the same school .
For example, a student hoping for a career in international business could choose to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Spanish.
Either way, you will complete two sets of requirements and earn credentials that make this accomplishment clear to employers and graduate schools.
The key difference is that double majors are typically awarded by the same department, while dual degrees come from two separate departments.
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Cons Of Double Majoring
While a double major can offer an enriched education and lead to more job opportunities, there are some other considerations to factor in before committing, such as:
A heavier course load: A double major is a bigger commitment, which means your school schedule will likely be that much more full. If extracurricular activities, sports or a fuller social calendar are important to you, or if you have to balance your schooling with a part-time job, you should consider that you may have more work to do.Longer time in school: You may have to stay longer in school to meet all of your requirements, particularly if you elect not to take extra coursework in a given quarter or semester. This could delay your graduation date and your entry into the workforce.More tuition and expenses: If you do extend your time in school, that could very likely mean youll have additional expenses for tuition, books and materials. Spending more time in school also delays your new career, where an income could be used to pay off your student loan debts.
Pro: Prepares You For A Niche
If youre aiming to have a career in something extremely specific, a double major can be a good idea. Its important to do your research however to ensure youre studying the correct subjects and material so youre prepared for your future, potential career. A double major will, however, set you apart from the rest of the pool of candidates at almost any position.
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Should You Double Major In College
If you are a prospective student or already in college, you may be considering a double major. Whether you are equally passionate about two fields of study or interested in a career niche where two complementary fields of study would bolster how you present yourself to employers, both are compelling motivations. Learning about the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a double major can help you decide if taking this step is right for you.
In this article, we discuss what a double major is, why you may want to consider pursuing one, the steps you can take to choose two complementary fields of study and other frequently asked questions about double majors.
Why You Need A Double Major
Millions of students across the world choose to double major because they love studying and want to get the most out of their learning experience.Others choose to do this because they became interested in two or more subjects and theyâd like to stick with both. Also, others double major to specialize and have a competitive edge in the careers.
Double majoring is essential for students who are thinking of attending graduate school in the future. Adding another major will provide more learning opportunities when they pursue a higher degree. Students who pick two disparate majors usually have more options when it comes to study areas in grad school. Those who pick two or more similar majors will benefit too. For instance, an undergrad who doubled majored in sociology and psychology stands a high chance of being accepted into a masterâs program in the same field.
Research studies show double majoring can boost your financial life.One study found that creativity and innovation increase when students double major. While conducting this study, researchers defined creativity as a set ofskills that include persuasive communication, networking, working in teams, and willingness to take risks. The benefits of creativity include the ability to writean essay and connect different materials across a wide range of sources. Double majoring allows you to take classes in two or more disciplines. And this helps in increasing your network.
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Know The Required Credits
One of the most important things youll discuss with your academic advisor is credit hours. Whatever you decide to double major in, make sure you understand the course requirements for both fields. When constructing a plan, its important to know which courses you can take that will count towards both majors.
If youre majoring in two disciplines that both fall under the same umbrella category, its likely youll have a lot of overlap between required courses. For instance, journalism and public relations will share many of the same required courses since theyre both communications majors. On the other hand, two disparate majors such as Spanish and economics will have few required courses in common. As such, double majoring in two unrelated fields can require more attention to detail to ensure you obtain all the necessary credits.
Con: Can Take Longer To Graduate
This con probably isnt a surprise, but its important to consider. Double majoring could mean you wont graduate in exactly four years. Youre completing two bachelors degree programs, so it often takes longer to finish a double major. While some double majors may only need one or two extra semesters to graduate, others might need an extra year or more.
With the additional time spent on a double major, youll also have added tuition costs and may need to take out more student loans.
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Do You Have To Have A Minor In College
At some colleges and universities, undergraduate degree students need to have a minor. Some schools let their students take multiple minors, while others limit their students to one minor only. Taking a minor is possible only when taking a major, which is why graduate degree programs have no minors.
Besides a major, you also have to think about which minor you wish to take.
Most US colleges and universities require their students to have a minor to earn a bachelors degree. If you are enrolled at one of them, you have no choice but to declare and complete a minor, whether you have one major or two.
As mentioned earlier, its by the end of your second year of college or at the start of your third year of college when you should declare your minor of choice.
However, when applying to colleges and universities via the Common App or Coalition App, you will be asked about the minor you are going to take.
Worry not because you dont have to commit to the minor you will place on your application.
Academic advisors know for a fact that students who have just stepped foot on a college campus can change their minds at any given time. Its due to this why, more often than not, fresh college students are given a couple of years to make up their minds before being required to declare their chosen minors.
Going back to having a minor, students can opt for as many as three minors, depending on whether or not it is allowed at the schools they attend.
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