Business and Engineering Timeline

Hi! As a student starting next year in Ross and Engineering (with hopefully 10 business credits, 4 history, 6 literature, and at least 4 German credits), I am wondering if it is possible to complete the program in four years. I would like to take the Ross year study abroad in Junior year, but am willing to take 18 credits a semester. I have tried to plan out my classes, but I am still unsure how it all fits together. Is it possible to do both of these degrees with my study abroad in four years if I start with this many credits? If not, could I compensate with studying for one/two summer terms? Thank you!

(I know this will be a difficult curriculum so please do not try to dissuade me from trying for both degrees. I will take 5 years if needed but would prefer to make it work in 4) .

I see 4 years as being feasible provided you take spring/summer classes after your freshman year and maybe after your sophomore year, as well - and that you do not fail any classes (not really a problem at Ross due to their generous curve, but definitely a risk in Engineering).

You need rto talk with your advisor. I don’t see how it will be possible without a lot of AP credit in 4 years, even with Spring/Summer classes. You won’t get core credit (but some elective credit) for your AP’s either. Some engineering degrees (e.g. ChemE) require up to 8 additional credit hours beyond the normal 120. You also have a lot of foundational courses (math, physics, chem, bio, intro engin etc). plus the Ross prereqs like Econ. You may not get full credit for an entire year abroad either, especially for your engineering classes.

I agree. With my son taking almost 18 credits each semester and had some AP credit with taking 2 summer classes last summer he is a semester ahead. He is going to do a engineering study abroad and out of the 3 classes he can only use one for engineering elective. He already used up his general electives.

But they wouldn’t offer it if it couldn’t be done. Be aware also that taking summer classes at Michigan is really expensive. Look into a community College and “make sure” the classes transfer for full credit. Michigan is extremely picky on what credits come over for math /science. Just might be less stressful to aim for 5 years but make a plan with your advisors from BOTH Ross and engineering.

My son was considering what you are doing but is doing Industrial engineering instead and already got a lot of business type experience his first two years on campus.

https://bulletin.engin.umich.edu/ug-ed/degrees/

I think all engineering at Michigan is 128 credits but didn’t look at everyone.

It states lower down here, if I am understanding this that it can take 11-12 semesters to complete two majors like you are doing. Please confer if what I am reading is accurate. Then there’s the worth factor and the question of why both degrees? What do you hope to achieve? Not discouraging you just trying to understand your end goal in mind. @JcAverbuch

FWIW, the two people I know who did BSE/BBAs had to take an extra semester and an extra year. Both are very successful at what they do, however.

@Knowsstuff Thank you for the link, as I had not read that particular page. It says 11-12, but I am hoping that by taking the maximum amount of credits each semester and taking classes over the summer, I can shrink it to 4.5 years. It did take me a while to decide that both degrees are worth it, but it seems to be so due to my intended career path and just general interest in both subjects. Thanks!

I always wonder if there is any career benefit pursuing a dual degree in Business and Engineering. I can see why someone would choose to double major in BSE/BBA 'cause of intellectual interests. But after you’ve earned one degree and able to get a good job, I don’t see any reason to spend more time completing the requirements for the 2nd degree.

IMHO, there are other options, like an engineering degree with a Ross minor, or the EGL honors program, a 5-year BSE/MSE degrees with the last year split between engineering and Ross.

@GoBlue81

I agree insofar that the degree earned is the BSE. A BSE is technically eligible for all the jobs a BBA is, but the inverse in not true.