Dual Degrees: Combined Master’s and Ph.D. Programs

If you’re looking for career versatility and high salary potential, combined master’s and doctoral programs can help you advance quickly in your field. These specialized programs combine a master’s degree in one area with a doctorate in another area, such as a master’s in business and a law degree.

Our guide to master’s and Ph.D. combined programs offers information on popular programs, career options, and answers to common questions about dual degrees.

Master’s and Ph.D. combined programs give you complementary skills in two different areas of study, preparing you for careers that cross professional boundaries. These degrees focus on related subjects that commonly intersect, such as law and public policy. By studying both fields together, you gain a more specialized perspective that can make you more competitive in the job market.

Completing two degrees simultaneously can also help you graduate faster, save money on tuition, and enter the workforce sooner.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

This list highlights nine of the most popular types of combined master’s and doctorate. These dual degrees bring together diverse fields such as business, medicine, and education.

Combining skills in business and nursing, a dual MBA/DNP prepares you for leadership positions in nursing and healthcare. With this dual degree, you’ll gain advanced skills in clinical care, nursing leadership, and healthcare management. An MBA/DNP gives you an understanding of both the practical and the business sides of the healthcare industry.

A dual MBA/MD can prepare you for cross-disciplinary jobs requiring intensive medicine and business leadership knowledge. Fusing two high-paying degrees, these master’s and doctorate combined programs train you for high-level healthcare leadership roles. Usually taking 5-6 years to complete, an MBA/MD equips you for clinical medical practice, medical leadership, and medical consultation in the private sector.

A combined MBA/Pharm.D. degree gives you comprehensive skills in both pharmacy practice and business leadership. This is an ideal program to pursue if you’re interested in a high-level career in the pharmaceutical industry. A dual MBA/Pharm.D. can also prepare you for entrepreneurship opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

A dual MBA/Psy.D. degree can prepare you for both clinical psychology practice and private sector consultation without forcing you to commit to either path. These programs focus on psychology and business knowledge, commonly preparing you for executive coaching or organizational consulting jobs.

One of the most versatile master’s and doctorate combined programs, a combined MBA/JD covers both business management and law. This degree can prepare you for careers in corporate law or any other industry where business and law intersect. MBA/JD programs take 3-5 years to complete.

A combined M.Ed./JD gives you extensive knowledge of law, education leadership, and education policy. Coursework typically explores the relationship between education organizations and state and federal education regulations. This degree is ideal if you want a career in education administration, advocacy, or policy development.

A dual MPP/JD degree provides insight into both law and public policy. Often taking four years to complete, these master’s and doctorate combined programs focus on regulatory and legal issues related to public policy. After graduating, you can work in law, government, or other policy-related careers.

An MS/MD degree combines medical knowledge with scientific research, giving you a deeper understanding of the science behind clinical healthcare. These programs can prepare you for careers in healthcare, medical research, and teaching. You can complete an MS/MD degree program in five years of full-time study.

A combined MPH/MD highlights the intersection of community health and clinical medical practice. This degree combines individualized and community perspectives on healthcare issues, training you both to treat patients and address larger, population-wide health issues. An MPH/MD program typically takes 4-5 years to complete.