Schooling is one of the most fulfilling experiences in a person’s life. In ideal circumstances school can equip us with the skills and expertise to join the real world. However, this is not without cost. Many students are worried about the cost of tuition. But what if there were ways to reduce these costs? What if you could earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time while spending less? Today, we will explore some of these options.

One option is a dual degree, where you receive two separate diplomas.

How Does A Dual Degree Program Work?

A dual-degree allows you to complete two academic degrees simultaneously, sometimes at different educational levels. This opportunity enables students to earn both credentials in less time than pursuing each degree separately. One of the most common options is often referred to as a 4+1 program, in which students complete a bachelor’s degree in four years and then spend one additional year earning a master’s degree.

If you’re a UConn undergraduate, you can pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) alongside your bachelor’s degree through the accelerated MPH program (formerly known as FastTrack). To learn more about this opportunity, visit here.

In addition to the accelerated MPH program, UConn Health offers several graduate and professional dual-degree pathways that allow students to earn an MPH concurrently with another degree. Available options include the MD/MPH, DMD/MPH, JD/MPH, MSW/MPH, and PharmD/MPH. These programs integrate coursework between the two degrees that help students complete both more efficiently while gaining valuable public health expertise and expanding their career opportunities.

Why should YOU do it?

Let us talk about why we should consider earning a dual degree.

Some of the benefits when one pursues this option.

1. Cost efficient

Dual degree programs are cost efficient for many reasons. Many universities often offer tuition reductions for students enrolled in combined programs. Students may also receive different graduate assistantships and/or other scholarships that help them cover their expenses. For example, in our accelerated MPH program, students can use their undergraduate financial aid to complete graduate courses. Furthermore, these programs are completed in a shorter timeframe, meaning students also save money in fewer semesters of tuition, living expenses, and the cost of extended schooling.

2. Greater Employability

A dual-degree is not just a degree; it’s a reflection of your hard work, commitment to discipline, and expertise over two distinct fields. Let’s be honest: it’s not easy to complete two degrees simultaneously while many struggle to complete a single degree. So, when you have a dual degree, it readily demonstrates that you are disciplined and comfortable taking on challenges and handling complex tasks. In addition to these skills, you will have built a foundation over two distinct disciplines that will undoubtedly give you a competitive advantage.

3. Enhanced Networking Opportunities

Dual-degree programs attract students from a variety of fields, including medicine, business, psychology, and data science. The dual-degree programs at UConn Health encourage collaboration at every step, providing ample opportunities for students to connect and build professional relationships. The connections formed in the program often result in lifelong friendships.

Graduate school is often the final stage of formal learning for most of us. The connections you build here have the potential to pay off for the rest of our lives.

4. Timesaving

Completing a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree takes about six to seven years to finish, however; dual-degree programs offer you the opportunity to complete both in as few as four or five years. The accelerated timeframe allows you to look for and secure employment opportunities sooner than people who follow a traditional sequential path.

5. Greater mobility

The skills and expertise you gain in two distinct fields give you the choice to switch between two fields. The credentials you earn from dual-degree programs also open doors across multiple sectors in different regions. Before you enroll in any dual-degree programs, check to see if the program holds any accreditations as these can make your degrees more valuable to potential employers.

Dual-degree programs are not without challenges. They come with their unique set of obstacles. However, if you can take on those challenges, the rewards and freedom they offer are worth cherishing.

The Program in Applied Public Health Sciences offers several dual degree programs. If you’re interested in learning more about them, please visit here.

Navigating your path into grad school can be tough, especially when options might feel infinite. Being able to make an informed decision at this stage is crucial as it can have a profound impact on the rest of your life. In this post today, we’ll talk about seven factors that make our Master of Public Health a great choice for anyone considering a career in public health.

1. CEPH accreditation

The MPH program at UConn Health is CEPH accredited. CEPH stands for the Council on Education for Public Health, which ensures that curricula, faculty, and resources offered in the program are rigorous enough to guarantee competent professionals for the workplace. What this means for you is that the program’s curriculum is held to a nationally recognized standard, ensuring a high-quality education that equips you for success in the real world.

2. Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities

Collaborating on research projects with professors is one of the most rewarding experiences of grad school. This experience not only helps you build your research skills but also paves the way for additional opportunities in academia and research. The practical experiences you can gain through these experiences pay off immensely in the long run.

At UConn Health, our program has faculty from a plethora of fields who are engaged in cutting-edge research. If you enjoy research and want to hone your research skills further, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. To learn more about our faculty research interests, please visit here.

3. Applied practice

For many of us, grad school is the final stage of formal education before entering into the professional world. Therefore, it is important to choose a program that makes practical learning a part of its curriculum so that we can be better prepared for the professional world.

The MPH at UConn Health goes beyond classroom experience. It allows you to apply your learned knowledge into real-world settings through practicum, capstone, or a thesis project. From practicum, a supervised hands-on field experience with a local health organization, to capstone, you’ll have plenty of scope to gain real-life experience. The program also offers many volunteering opportunities that offer you the chance to become involved with the community and put your learned knowledge into practice in a meaningful way. Each of these experiences will bring you one step closer to becoming an efficient and resourceful public health professional.

If you’re interested in learning about practicum or our grad students’ experiences, please visit here.

4. Customize your degree

The MPH program offers a variety of electives to choose from. In addition to the core courses, these electives give students the opportunity to tailor their degree to their own interests. Whether you are interested in statistics, occupational and environmental epidemiology, or law and ethics, there is something for everyone. This variety of electives helps students build a strong foundation in their chosen area of interest.

5. Funding opportunities

The MPH program at UConn Health also offers many funding opportunities for students. These funding opportunities come in many forms, such as fellowship, teaching and/or research assistant, graduate assistant, and more. In addition to providing invaluable practical experiences, these opportunities often provide tuition remissions or a stipend for students. What’s more exciting than getting paid for studying?

6. Accelerated program

The MPH program at UConn Health also offers many dual degrees and an accelerated program. Our most common accelerated program is called the FastTrack MPH program, which enables UConn undergraduates to earn a Master of Public Health in one year. In this program, eligible students take 12 graduate credits during their time in undergrad that count toward both their bachelor’s and MPH degrees, saving both time and money. If you’re interested in learning more about our FastTrack program, please visit here.

7. Expanded networking opportunities

Our MPH program attracts students from a variety of fields, including medicine, business, psychology, and data science. Each class is designed to encourage collaboration at every step, providing ample opportunities for students to connect and build professional relationships. The connections formed in the program often result in lifelong friendships.

As mentioned in the article, graduate school is often the final stage of formal learning for most of us. So, before you choose your grad school, ensure it is equipped with resources to help you reach your goals.

If you have any questions, please reach us out at publichealth@uchc.edu.