When coming to college some students dream of becoming a doctor or a lawyer. With Ohio State’s professional schools combining programs and creating joint degrees, soon they can do both.
At the Fisher College of Business students can receive an MBA with other majors, such as law and medical health administration, said Michelle Jacobean, director of the Graduate Programs Office at Fisher College of Business.
“We have a major within the MBA program called interdisciplinary studies, and it’s basically combining three of our minor areas to create a major,” Jacobson said. “We also have a joint MBA and juris doctor degree and an MBA and master’s of health administration degree. There are discussions to consider an MBA and medical doctor degree.”
For students to receive a joint degree they have to be accepted to both schools, Jacobson said.
“Joint degree programs with other divisions of Ohio State offer a way to combine credits and complete degrees more quickly,” Jacobson said. “Students must be admitted to both programs. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.”
Jacobson said the joint program is four years instead of two for the MBA and three in the law school.
The College of Medicine and Public Health also offers a way to combine credits and complete degrees in conjunction with other colleges at OSU, said Mark Notestine, assistant dean for Admissions and Records and executive director of the Medical Alumni Society.
“There is the M.D. and medical scientist program, M.D. and master’s of public health degree and the M.D. and medical health administration degree,” Notestine said. “Beginning next fall, we will also enroll our students in the newly formed M.D. and MBA program with the Fisher College of Business.”
Notestine said students generally enroll in a combined degree program because of their strong interests in other areas besides medicine.
“A student who sees themselves eventually wanting to chair a medical department, or run a medical facility such as a hospital, may find the combined M.D./MHA or M.D./MBA to be very beneficial,” Notestine said.
Notestine said the medical college combined a number of degree programs because there was a considerable demand for the combined degree program from the student applicant population.
“I think the combined degree programs are an excellent idea for any student who knows they want to complete an M.D. degree, with an additional or unique area of expertise,” Notestine said. “I think it is possible there may someday be other combined degree programs, perhaps even a combined M.D. and law degree.”
Scott Cable, a second year medical student, said combining degrees allows students who are more science-oriented to get a better sense of business.
“A combined business degree for veterinarian students is even more beneficial than for medical students because medical students have a hospital and clinics waiting to hire them,” Cable said. “Most veterinarians have to start their own small business, so they would need it.”
For students in the law school, there are joint degree options that range from a law degree with a master’s in public administration or a master’s in health administration.
Kathy Northern, associate for Academic and Student Affairs, said law students are also permitted to design their own joint-degree program with most of the 90 Ph.D. and master’s programs in the university.
Rob Nupp, a second-year law student, said a joint degree in business would help lawyers give advice and would help them to better understand the issues their clients are facing.
The combined degree program provides students more opportunities and a larger base of knowledge, said Brandy Alston, an academic advisor for Minority Student Services at the Fisher College of Business.
“A program that requires students to be committed could encourage them to work harder,” Alston said. “The only drawback to a combined degree is the condensed program may leave out certain classes students need.”
Notestine said there is no negative aspect to getting a combined degree.
“Students who graduate with the M.D. degree and an additional degree are usually well-trained and very marketable in the employment environment,” Notestine said.
Among other universities active in the duel degree program are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Case Western Reserve University, and Loyola University in Chicago.
