A recent post on the American University Kogod School of Business website highlighted the exploits of two Kogod students who are pursuing the school’s JD/MBA dual degree program. The two students, Ayomide Oluleye and Michelle Emokpae, visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this past May as part of the program’s Global Consulting Practicum class. The trip provided the opportunity to work directly with a UAE-based company, giving students the chance to practice their consulting skills in a different culture.
“An international focus increases our breadth of knowledge,” Michelle Emokpae said. “Studying how businesses operate in other countries helps us understand different viewpoints, which shapes us into more versatile, well-rounded professionals.”
“Global practicum courses like this are important because they allow students to use their knowledge in real-world situations,” Emokpae agreed. “We utilized our law and business skills to provide consultation to an actual international client.”
Students on the trip also met with Opsys, an engineering firm that develops fire prevention technology and strategized how to market products in the U.S., building on their initial research conducted at AU.
“Many JD/MBA students are pursuing careers at the intersection of international law and global business,” David Bartlett, Director of Kogod’s Full-time MBA Program, said. “This international experience [like the one Oluleye and Emokpae had] helps advance their career objectives, and enhances the quality of their academic experience at AU overall.”
According to the degree webpage, the Kogod JD/MBA joint degree program provides an opportunity for students who desire to combine skills and develop expertise in both business and law. This program helps set a student on a path to success in either arena.
Students can earn this dual degree in four years. JD/MBA students are enrolled concurrently in both the Kogod School of Business and the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. Course work includes the MBA fundamentals, including managerial economics, financial accounting, organizational behavior, marketing management, financial management, and management information systems.
“I chose both courses of study because I value my holistic mindset,” Oluleye said. “Having both degrees is a powerful combination that will give me the flexibility to begin my career in both law and business”