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DUAL-, OR COMBINED-, DEGREES PROGRAMS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a new growing trend towards dual or combined degree programs, both at undergraduate and graduate levels within fields of engineering and sciences. Different departments at various colleges and universities throughout the nation are presently offering either combined intra-departmental BS/MS or MS/PhD programs, and/or dual inter-departmental graduate degrees. There are different advantages to these types of programs. Combined degrees save time by allowing students to enter earlier in their professional careers with advanced degrees. This can help reduce financial stress of education. And dual-degree programs help diversify an individual’s technical and professional skills. Usually universities have slightly more stringent eligibility criteria and rules for selecting students into combined and dual-degree programs. A study by National Academy of Sciences (NAS) suggested that world of work has become more interdisciplinary, collaborative, and global, and requires that we produce young professionals who are adaptable and flexible, as well as technically proficient. With ever- increasing demand to keep up with the new technology and growing competition, employers are currently seeking employees with either diversified background or advanced degrees to be able to handle the additional stress put forth by the industrial sector. Diversity, strong fundamentals, advance body of knowledge and technical skills to handle the new technology is the key to future progress. This paper analyzes the current trends through highlighting programs offered by Medical and Engineering schools. The better prospective of getting more students interested in these programs is by educating them and their parents about the potential advantages, which includes monetary benefits, diversified skills, technical competency, job security and saving time. This new trend could definitely mark the beginning of next generation of intellectuals with enhanced capabilities to meet the evolving demands of this age.

1. Introduction

To better grasp the concept behind dual- and combined-, degrees programs it is imperative to understand what each term means. ‘Combined degrees’ is a course of study with a structure which includes components of two discrete courses and which will satisfy the requirements for either the conferral of a single combined award or conferral of two separate awards. ‘Dual degrees’ are two separate degrees pursued simultaneously in different fields but closely coordinated so as to produce maximum saving of time and cost without sacrificing quality. These usually require students to complete the core courses in both programs, which help them in obtaining diversified skills.

“Proceedings of the 2006 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2006, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Javed, A., & Najafi, F. (2006, June), Dual Or Combined Degree Programs At University Level Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--1256