Why and When should you consider a dual or joint master’s program?

My Google search ten years ago … eventually led me to be in the first cohort of the University of California, Irvine – The Paul Merage School of Business MS in Biotechnology Management program And it was life-changing!

Over the years, I’ve had many inquiries about MBA programs for STEM, engineering, and healthcare fields and how to transition into the management side of the tech or healthcare world. Here, the why and when are very crucial factors to consider.

The Why

Personally, I wanted to impact both the advancement of medicine and its efficient delivery to customers. 

It may be the right program for you if you resonate with any of the following.

1. You enjoy building /fixing things and solving people’s problems as much as technical/scientific ones. 
2. In today’s corporate world, the ability to speak both the science/technology and business language is highly valued, especially in startups—folks with technical knowledge who think like General Managers are in high demand.
3. If you’re an engineer keen on tech design and bringing products to market. Ideal for product or program management enthusiasts.
4. You want to learn how technology can serve a business purpose or extend technical skills to address business applications. This can come in handy in consulting, and VC fields, e.g., IT consulting, analytics, and tech VCs. 
5. Subject knowledge is highly valued in many industries due to complex product innovations/processes that require problem-solving along the value chain. e.g., auto/EV/aero, healthcare, life sciences, energy, and civil.
6. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or have startup/ product ideas– a great place to network with both communities and access resources and diverse schools of thought.
7. Ph.D. and MD aspirants can benefit from dual tracks to understand business operations and efficiently run research labs and hospitals.
8. Those interested in policy, international relations, and health economics can complement their knowledge with a business skill set to thrive in today’s capitalist environment.

The When

• Dual degrees have a lower age barrier than traditional MBAs, making them a great option for younger and older candidates.
• If you’re a tech/research professional looking to transition to business or commercial profiles (product management, strategy, consulting, commercial operations).
• If you’re an SME looking to advance into leadership roles (engineering manager, project lead, team lead) or feeling stagnant in your career trajectory. 
• Can greatly accelerate a young professional’s career. It showcases your ambition and focus and is advantageous when short on time and financial resources. 
• Harvard Business School launched its MS/MBA program in 2019. It indicates a growing need for professionals who can bridge the gap between industries, disciplines, and functions to develop comprehensive solutions and products to address today’s global challenges. 

Degrees to look into

MS in Engineering Management, MS in biotechnology management (MSBTM), MS/MBA, MD/MBA, MPH/MBA, MPP/MBA, MBA in business analytics (MSBA), Master’s of Business and Science (MBS).

You are going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with

For me, pursuing a dual degree was crucial to enhance my business acumen while still keeping my focus on science and technology. If you’re looking for alternative paths, you can explore consulting or demonstrate your business skills within your current company. However, I found the joint degree program to be an unparalleled experience. Being in an environment with researchers, innovators, business enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and diverse industry professionals shaped my perspective.

Are you looking to take advantage of the dual program? We would love to help you- reach out to us here.