Dual degree programs allow you to achieve double in academics in half the time it would have taken you otherwise. Dual degree courses in India have become a big hit because of multiple advantages attached to them. In this article we discuss various aspects of a dual degree.
Let us start with the most obvious question: What is a double degree program?
Double degree program allows you to pursue two different courses together and get the experience of both in lesser time than it would have taken to study them one after the other. Students usually go for options like B.Tech and MBA so as that they are complete packages by the end of the course. In either case, they end up saving at least one year for themselves in which they can advance their career by taking up a job.
Advantages of dual degree
As mentioned before, a dual degree program allows you to complete two degrees in less time which means you also save on money involved in lodging and tuition fee. They also open up better job options as the companies find it perfect that a candidate comes trained in different areas like management and technical skills. Needless to say you have the option to make a career in one field itself and can take up a dual degree program if you are confused between two courses.
They might sound like a big deal and something tough to do, but dual degrees enable candidate to accelerate their learning in different subjects and are very well structured for the benefit of students.
You will stand out during the placements as the companies will always want to choose someone with good understanding of two disciplines rather than a student who has to be trained in one.
Challenges
Dual degree will mean more hard work without any doubt. You will have to be on your toes if you want to justify your decision of taking up such a program. The challenges will be different and need unmatched concentration. You will need constant motivation otherwise this will be a huge miss and you will be under immense pressure to keep your head above water throughout the semester.
Integrated degrees
An integrated degree is almost the same as dual degree with only difference being that on completion of an integrated degree you get certificate for only one course or program. For example, students go for B.Tech and M.Tech integrated programs and get an M.Tech degree at the end of their education. The revolutionarization of education in India brought about many alterations in the subjects and the way programs were structured and integration of courses was one of them.
Integrated degree programs are offered by a wide range of universities in India and across the world. After considering the multiple benefits students can reap on completion of an integrated degree, the education department opened doors for students to enrol with the same.
A student can join these courses right after class 12 and get a higher degree in less time. Such degrees are completed typically in 4-5 years, depending upon theory and practical semesters. After passing with these integrated degree programs after 12th class, one can go for doctoral programs.
Common dual degree and integrated programs in India
Indian Institute of Science (IISC): Offers an integrated doctoral program in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics to talented bachelor-of-science and engineering graduates.
The National Law School of India University (NLU): Offers a five-year combined Bachelor of Art (BA)/Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. (Hons.)) degree program. Most of the more recently established National Law Universities offer similar degree structures, while also offering new combined LL.B options such as Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)/LL.B. (Hons.); Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)/LL.B. (Hons.); and Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A)/LL.B. (Hons.).
Following NLU's footsteps, some of the traditional universities, public and private, have also begun to offer the five-year combined law programs in addition to conventional three-year programs. The success of these programs has encouraged other states in India to set up new law universities.
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Offer five-year integrated Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) programs, and more recently have been offering what are known as dual degree programs, which allow Master of Technology (M.Tech) students to graduate in five years by combining their Bachelor of Technology program, typically four years, with the M.Tech, which typically takes two years. Integrated M.Sc./Ph.D programs are also offered. In 2006, IIT-Madras announced a five-year integrated Master of Arts (MA-HSS) program from its department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST): Offers a five-year integrated master’s program in Applied Sciences (M.Sc) with special emphasis on space-related subjects.
University of Hyderabad has a complete department dedicated to integrated programs called College for Integrated Studies and offers courses like:
Master’s Degree (5-year Integrated) courses in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences subjects
M.Sc. (5-year Integrated) Programs from the Science Schools
M.Sc. (5-year Integrated) Earth Sciences
M.Sc. (5-Year Integrated) Program in Health Psychology)
M.A (5-Year Integrated) Programs from the School of Humanities)
M.A (5-Year Integrated) Programs from the School of Social Sciences and School of Economics
M.A (5-Year Integrated) Humanities and Social Sciences programs.
Dual degree programs require immense commitment because of their nature and you must be willing to completely give yourself to academics but once completed successfully they place you high above your peers in terms your eligibility for jobs.
