<p>Does getting a dual doctorate in applied physics and theoretical physics allow entrance to research in any interdisciplinary fields?
Or in mechanical engineering and theoretical physics?</p>
<p>Are you insane? Man, I can’t think of any good reasons for a dual-doctorate. If you want to do interdisciplinary stuff, tailor your single doctorate into that direction. Ultimately you are in control of what you learn.</p>
<p>And the theme persists. People, there is literally too much to learn, this is why you need a focus.</p>
<p>First of all, there is no point in getting two degrees in such close fields. An applied physicist can work their way into the theoretical side if they chose, and vice versa. Same with the engineering degree - I know PhD engineers who work as physicists and PhD physicists who work as engineers. You do not need a second PhD to cross between such similar fields.</p>
<p>Second, there are probably only one or two schools that would permit a dual doctorate program, and many to most schools won’t allow a second doctorate even when the first doctorate was decades prior. Most of the places that will allow it will only allow a second doctorate in a significantly different field, on the presumption that it is necessary for a career change - not your situation at all. So even if you aspire to do so, you will have a heck of a time finding someplace that will let you do it.</p>
<p>Third, no one does this (or very nearly no one - I am aware of a single case in recent history) so doing so requires extra time but really opens no new doors. Employers and universities won’t care about the number of doctorates, they will care about your specific coursework and your original research and publications… neither of which will be limited by a single doctorate.</p>
<p>So pick one.</p>
<p>All the responses are on point about getting two Ph.D. degrees. I should add that in physics, you don’t have to choose theoretical or experimental physics until your second year of graduate school. Just start in a physics program that has a range of specializations and then take your first year classes, all of which are theoretical. You will find out soon enough if you have the chops to become a theoretical physicist. After you pass your qualifying examination and core classes, you look for an advisor and that will determine your final direction.</p>
<p>I may be completely off base here because I am not in the engineering field. My son, however, is a computer engineering major at the University of Michigan. Anyways, in many of the chemistry, biological, and physics areas if one is interested specializing in another area outside of what they received their Ph.D. degree they would do a post-doctoral appointment (2-3 years). That’s what I did (Ph.D. Medicinal Chemistry and postdoc Molecular Biology). I don’t know if the engineering field works the same way. I have never heard of dual Ph.Ds in similar fields. </p>
<p>Cosmicfish is right on point with all his/her comments.</p>
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<p>Too much Big Bang Theory? Sheldon sez no.</p>