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Dual degrees offer a time-saving and, at times, cost-effective way to complete two degrees concurrently. This fact alone can make them a worthwhile investment for many students — especially those who are committed to pursuing a graduate degree or are interested in studying more than one discipline.

However, while they come with obvious advantages, dual degrees may not be suitable for all students. In some cases, you may be better off pursuing a traditional bachelor's or double major. In general, a dual degree can be worth it if you want to distinguish yourself in a competitive job market with a unique educational background.

Dual Degree vs. Double Major

Though they sound similar, dual degrees and double majors are actually quite distinct. While students enrolled in the latter track also study two disciplines and may complete additional coursework, they are nevertheless awarded a single, combined degree. A student double-majoring in psychology and criminal justice, for example, will receive a combined BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice. By contrast, dual-degree students earn two diplomas at once.

Furthermore, dual degrees are a specific kind of educational track that are often structured in terms of coursework, learning objectives, and timelines. Though students might be able to choose which two degrees they want to pursue simultaneously, they are often limited by their college or university to certain combinations of subject areas and diplomas. On the other hand, double majors offer more flexibility in the disciplines students can study and are usually based around an individual's interests rather than a specific set of program requirements.

Most Common Dual Degrees

Many colleges and universities offer dual degrees in specific areas. Usually, the combination of diplomas in a given program are meant to complement overlaps between different subject areas. This is to ensure that students both gain an understanding of the differences between the disciplines they're studying and learn how they may be applied together. However, some dual degree programs may also be based on two unrelated subjects.

Most Popular Bachelor's-Level Dual Degrees

At the bachelor's level, dual degrees typically combine a liberal arts education with training in the sciences. This makes BA/BS amalgamations quite common, particularly when it comes to pursuing a bachelor of arts in business along with a bachelor of science in engineering or Computer Science. However, schools also offer combinations between other disciplines, as well as various BA/BA and BS/BS programs.

Other dual-degree options at the bachelor's level include those that combine an undergraduate diploma with a graduate one. These programs are typically five years long and generally structured around two degrees within a single discipline. For instance, a popular choice in the field of nursing is a combined bachelor of science in nursing/master of science in nursing (BSN/MSN). Another is a dual degree which simultaneously earns students a bachelor of arts in business and a master of business administration.

Most Popular Master's-Level Dual Degrees

Dual degrees at the graduate level offer students the chance to combine a variety of different credentials. Many popular dual degrees in business include an MBA with either a master's in health informatics or information technology. In some cases, universities allow for much greater flexibility in their graduate-level dual degrees. For instance, students pursuing a Juris Doctorate at , such a program can improve your employability. However, you shouldn't choose a dual degree if you're solely interested in expanding your career options. In fact, there are traditional degrees — particularly in business and STEM fields — that can lead to well-paying jobs in growing sectors as well. You may want to consider a dual degree if, in addition to improving your career prospects, you have a genuine interest in earning diplomas in two separate fields of study.