Dual Degrees

A dual degree from Owen and Vanderbilt Divinity School prepares students for management and ministry of a church or for management work in social services or pastoral care. By combining study in management with study in divinity, a student can earn both the MBA and the M.Div. in a total of four years—eight semesters—instead of the five years normally required to complete the two degrees consecutively. Students can also apply to the MBA/M.T.S degree (Master of Theological Studies) in three years. MBA/M. Div. and MBA/M.T.S students must apply separately to the Divinity School and to Owen and be granted admission by both schools. Rejection by either school does not negate acceptance by the other school, but this acceptance is to the regular degree program, not the dual-degree program. It is recommended that students begin their program at the Divinity School for M.DIV, given the tuition arrangements in both schools. There are options for MBA M.T.S. students to start at either school. As with other dual professional and graduate degrees, the number of hours required to earn the MBA credential is reduced from 62 to 50 credit hours because Owen will give credit for 12 hours of course work from the Divinity School.

By combining study in business and management with study in the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACX), a student can earn both the Masters of Business Administration and the Masters in Latin American Studies in six semesters. MALAS/MBA students must apply separately, and be granted admission, to both schools. Rejection by either school does not negate acceptance by the other school, but this acceptance is to the regular degree program and not the dual degree. The first year of study is devoted to course work in Latin American Studies and the second year of study is devoted to coursework toward the MBA. For the final year, students will complete their remaining MBA hours and write their LAS thesis in the spring semester.  Students in the dual degree program are required to write a thesis to complete the M.A. in Latin American Studies degree. Dual degree students must complete a total of 62 credit hours for Owen, and a total of 30 hours in Latin American Studies.  A total of 12 hours of appropriate coursework may be transferred from LAS and 6 hours of coursework can be transferred from Owen. Students must apply to both the MBA program through Owen and Latin American Studies through the Graduate School and should indicate their intention to enter the dual degree program at the time of application. Successful applicants must be accepted by both Owen and the Graduate School individually according to each program’s standard criteria. CLACX offers financial support for the first four consecutive semesters of study for students accepted into the dual degree program. CLACX will apply its normal evaluation rubric for Masters students to the dual degree candidates.  Owen will do the same. All dual degree students will be jointly advised by CLACX and Owen.”

MBA/JD. By combining study in management with study in law, a student can earn both the JD and the MBA in a total of four years (eight semesters), instead of the five years normally required to complete the two degrees. Students enroll for their first year of study in the dual-degree program on a full-time basis in either the Law School or the Owen School. Students should begin their dual-degree studies in the Law School and then attend the Owen School in their second year. All applicants to the dual-degree program should notify the Owen School of their status at the time of application. The Owen School requires 62 hours for graduation and the Law School requires 88 hours. The Law School will grant transfer credit for 12 hours of course work taken at the Owen School; similarly, the Owen School will grant transfer credit toward the management degree for 12 hours of Law School course work. Transfer credits must be the equivalent of a C grade or better. Law School courses appear with the grade P (Pass) on the Owen School transcript. Applicants to the dual-degree program must make application to and be admitted by each school separately. Rejection by one school does not negate acceptance by the other school, but this acceptance would then be for the regular degree program, not the dual-degree program.

By combining course work from the Owen Graduate School of Management and the School of Medicine, students can pursue both the MBA and the M.D. in five years. Dual-degree students spend their first three years in the School of Medicine and apply to Owen in their third year. They then enroll in the Owen School for year four and take courses in both schools in year five, thus completing both degrees in five years. The Owen School grants 12 hours (2 units) of transfer work for courses completed in the School of Medicine; the School of Medicine, in turn, counts 12 hours of Owen course work as 2 units toward the M.D. Since MBA/M.D. students complete additional course work and rotations in the summer semesters, students should contact the School of Medicine for curriculum guidelines.

By combining course work from the Owen Graduate School of Management and Peabody College of education and human development, students can pursue both the MBA and the Master of Public Policy in Education (MPP) in five-to-six semesters of study. Students interested in the dual degree program must apply to and be admitted by each school separately with matriculation in the fall semester. Students take courses in residence at Peabody College during the fall and spring semesters of year one and may enroll in additional Peabody courses in the summer between year one and year two. Students take courses and are in residence at Owen during the fall and spring semesters of year two and the fall semester of year 3. Depending on a student’s individual curriculum, a final semester at Peabody may be required. The Owen School grants 12 hours of transfer work for courses completed in Peabody toward the MBA degree; Peabody College, in turn, counts 12 hours of transfer work for courses completed in the Owen School toward the MPP degree. MBA/MPP students should contact Peabody College for curriculum guidelines and admissions requirements for the MPP.