Hi, I will be going to college next year and was wondering roughly how long a double major like this would take and how I would go about applying to colleges (declaring major). Any advice would be great!
OK, so MBA = Master’s of Business Administration, and to get a Masters you have to get an undergrad degree first.
The only dual degree BEng/MBA program that I am aware of (though of course there may well be others) is a relatively new one at JHU, in which you get an undergrad Eng & an MBA in 5 years (basically you push through the Eng in 3-3.5 years, then go straight into the MBA).
UMich has a dual major engineering & business through their business school, and I would imagine that there are other programs like it if you hunt for them.
Engineering is considered a highly rigorous, relatively inflexible and time-intensive course; adding on a second major or second degree is very challenging. IF you decide to go that path, do your homework and be sure to check out how integrated the two systems are- typically they are run by different departments, and both departments will expect your first loyalty to lie with them. I taught in a joint engineering-business program, and from the student’s perspective it matters that the two departments are working together constructively, coordinating work loads, etc.
If you are a highly motivated, self-disciplined, dedicated, hard working and very able student it can be done.
The following colleges that I know have program for double majors in engineering and business:
- University of Pennsylvania:
- MIT
MIT does not have a specific program for double majors but double majoring is very common at MIT:
Pairing an MBA with your B.S. is pretty useless and a waste of time and money as most full-time MBA programs are meant for an experienced worker to get a new skillset and network for a promotion and movement into more management type roles.
People who double major in engineering and finance/economics fair very well on the market right now so I would recommend this route if you’re looking for a more business type role in a tech/finance company, etc.
@coolweather listed some really schools but even if you don’t get into one of these schools you can look into 2+2 programs where you work 2 years after undergrad and then go back for your MBA.
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/application-process/Pages/student-applicants.aspx
@collegemom3717 Hopkins BEng/MBA was most likely established to capitalize on the strength of the undergrads who would most likely not apply to their very new business school in favor of applying to more strong and connected programs elsewhere.
Alabama also has a STEM MBA program that takes 5 years.