If you are thinking about pursuing an MBA or any advanced business degree, you likely have a good idea about how and why you want to further your education. If that’s the case, you’re not alone—a 2016 GMAC survey found that 71 percent of prospective MBA students already have a single industry in mind for postgraduate employment; even before applying. Yet thanks to the broad base of knowledge an MBA degree provides, just what that industry is and each desired career path can vary wildly between individuals. And sometimes, careers move in unpredictable paths. To be ready for the varying trajectories that may pass, dual MBAs may cover your bases.
Industries such as law and technology may seem to be on the traditional MBA path, but both can benefit from employees with a strong background in business. Due to industry overlaps like this, many schools offer dual MBAs, which allow students to pursue two advanced degrees at once. This gives students the chance to save time and money by graduating with two degrees in their name. This can also help students become incredibly competitive candidates on the job market, showing both an extreme commitment to education and a varied set of skills and knowledge.
The Paul Merage School of Business – University of California, Irvine is one of many schools which provide students the opportunity to simultaneously pursue an MBA and another degree through a dual degree program. And for students not fully decided whether they want to pursue an MBA or MA, a number of joint degree programs at UC Irvine can offer additional options for students. Below, you can find more information about the dual degree offerings at UC Irvine.
Dual MBAs at the Paul Merage School of Business
MD/MBA Program for Physicians
Students enrolled at the UC Irvine School of Medicine have the opportunity to apply for a dual MD/MBA program in the third year of their medical degree. The program at Merage is designed for medical health professionals who are looking to take their career as a physician to the next level with a management role in a health care facility or organization. Graduates of this degree program will be incredibly competitive job candidates, with the business and medical skills required to be both a physician and business leader.
JD/MBA Program for Lawyers
The dual JD and MBA degree program at Merage is ideal for students in a variety of industries where law and management may overlap. For a careers in corporate law and many of the other industries where law and business intersect, a strong foundational knowledge in both fields can give students a competitive advantage in the job market. Students who area currently JDs in the UC Irvine School of Law are eligible to apply for the joint MBA program.
Joint Degree Program
Additional opportunities exist at UC Irvine to combine a business education with a degree focused outside of the business world. Although not paired with an MBA degree, the Joint Degree Program at UC Irvine partners the Merage School of Business with other university school’s to prepare students for careers in the management of engineering and biotechnology. With an MS in Engineering Management, students are provided with the education necessary for engineers to take on leading management and leadership roles the science, technology, government and other engineering-related industries. Also available is the MS in Biotechnology Management, a two year program which provides experience in problem solving, case analysis and other development opportunities related to management in the biotechnology industry.