Integrated MBA

We reached to the last part of the articles on MBA Dual Degrees and Integrated Programmes. Dual degree programs are more common in some countries than others, for instance the US and the UK. Many reputed American Universities such as Stanford University, Yale University, Duke University, Cornell University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, etc. offer dual degree integrated programs particularly in management. Dual degree integrated programs such as Technology and Management, Nursing and Healthcare Management, Law and Management, etc. are common in foreign universities. Earlier to this, we have discussed various advantages and disadvantages of Dual Degree and Integrated Management courses.

Dual degree programs in India:

India too has witnessed a surge in the number of integrated degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels in the recent past, primarily from private educational institutions. Such a change is significant and noticeable. In a country that has the third largest education sector in the world, in terms of both student numbers and the overall number of institutions, variety in program offerings and innovation are key for the success in higher education.
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani could be termed as the trend setter in the dual degree integrated programs introducing them way back in 1971 with the objective of providing maximum flexibility and lateral mobility. This has helped BITS to attract high caliber students into its portals. For the Universities, dual degree integrated programs offer sustainable revenue generation, too. Before taking admission in any Dual Degree and Integrated MBA, read this article before taking a decision that can change your career prospects.

National Law School of India University offers integrated BA-LLB, B.Com-LLB, BBA-LLB programs which have proved to be successful. In appreciation of these programs, industry employs graduates of these colleges at attractive pay packages. Other reputed institutions such as Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, IIT-Madras, IIT-Kharagpur, etc. are offering dual degree integrated programs.

IIM, Indore is the first among IIMs to offer a five-year integrated post-graduate program in management to impart management skills to students at a very early stage. The program has a very holistic multi-disciplinary approach toward course content. There are other private universities such as Lovely Professional University, Amity University, Maharshi Dayanand University and Kurukshetra University offering integrated BBA-MBA Programs. However there are no rankings available for them.

Universities / Institutes such as IIT Kharagpur, IIT Mumbai, NMIMS Deemed University, University of Lucknow, VIT University Vellore, etc. offer integrated B.Tech-MBA programs. Allahabad University has already announced its integrated programs. Many other universities are expected to join the bandwagon.

India has more than 400 million Indians between the ages of six to 24, but only 10.4 million Indians are enrolled in higher education. On the other hand, the industry has been complaining that the average graduate is not suitable for employment due to lack of relevant skills and competencies. The introduction of dual degree integrated management programs may provide an answer to employability crisis in the graduate education, as management education focuses on skills that are relevant for industry which the engineering, architecture and pharmacy education have not delivered. The new initiative by the AICTE could well be the solution to for the talent shortage problems that industry is facing for a longtime.

In a recent research published by the University of Phoenix Research Institute, USA one of the key skills required for future is multidisciplinary skills. To address and solve today’s multifaceted problems we require multidisciplinary solutions. While throughout the 20th century, ever-greater specialization was encouraged, it is expected that the next century will see multidisciplinary approaches take center stage. A combination of engineering, architecture or pharmacy along with management education would create a unique value for the individual which will provide long and sustained career path and utility for the industry and the society. Even an integrated BBA-MBA program would produce a more holistic manager as the student would soak in the principles and practices of management over a long period and thus absorb theoretical knowledge and practices of the profession with deeper understanding. If you like to know more about the importance of these programmes, read part one of the series of articles on this topic. If you want to directly know about the institutions offering MBA Dual Degrees and Integrated MBA programmes in India and Abroad, go to the third and final part of the articles.

The current undergraduate education in engineering and technology, architecture, and pharmacy primarily aim at imparting knowledge through classroom instructions, training and other modes of teaching. Normally after completing the course, the student will acquire adequate theoretical and practical knowledge in his/her branch of study. Further, he/she will be capable of applying the same for the solution of real life problems and strive to develop/ upgrade it further through higher/continuing education to reach the frontiers of knowledge in his/her field of specialization.

On the other hand, the 5-year Dual Degree Integrated programs in engineering and technology, architecture, and pharmacy aim at the consolidation of the undergraduate programs with inputs of Master’s level specialized courses and six months internship component in the industry in the form of a on-the-job training. Thus the Dual Degree Integrated programs offer higher value and are fast track programs through which a student can get both B. Tech. /B. Pharm. and MBA degrees with a specialization in the chosen function/sector in 5 years instead of 6 years required for the existing 4-year B. Tech./B. Pharm. and 2-year MBA programs.

The Dual-Degree Integrated programs in Engineering, Architecture and Pharmacy with MBA lay emphasis on academic and extra-curricular components designed for the integrated development of engineering/technical professionals possessing managerial skills, human values and ethics. Almost all students after graduation start their career in organizations where cooperative efforts and teamwork are a must for the success in their career progress. Ethics, human values and discipline are of paramount importance for meaningful cooperation and successful team efforts. The 5-year Dual Degree Integrated Undergraduate-Master’s Degree programs lay equal emphasis on building the theoretical foundations among the students along with industry relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes. Cross-disciplinary exchange of knowledge is essential for industry. In the dual degree integrated program in engineering and management, the curriculum at the undergraduate level would be so structured that it offers enough flexibility to the students to tailor their learning process as per their personal inclinations and the desired career objectives.

The Dual Degree Integrated program lays emphasis on excellence and encourages the students in the top talent pool of the country to opt for both Bachelor’s and Master’s education in engineering/technology and management at one stretch. Such programs aim at emphasizing the application of the basics fundamental to their discipline towards the solution of specific real world problems. This will accelerate the capacity building exercise of the country and bridge the gap between industry requirements and academic institutions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dual Degree Integrated Programs

Advantages of a dual degree integrated program include:

1. Dual degree holders are credentialed in two disciplines.
2. Dual degree holders offer employers a range of management and training skills and a breadth of domain-specific knowledge that can position them as an attractive prospect and future leader in their profession.
3. Dual degree holders have higher visibility in a pool of job candidates.
4. A dual degree may boost leverage when it comes to negotiating salaries and promotions as it offers two specialties and two skill sets.
5. A dual degree offers short and long-term career flexibility.
6. Dual degree programs offer savings in time and expense.

Disadvantages of pursuing a dual degree integrated program include:

1. Students must have the passion in both disciplines to even consider taking on a dual degree program.
2. Dual programs are not always ranked equally for an institution. An MBA program may be stronger than the second program undertaken, and vice versa.
3. Internships for dual degree candidates can be difficult.
4. Dual degrees require additional time out of the work force, putting salary increases and professional advancement on hold.
5. Employers may not easily allow students to take a break to pursue a degree even if the institute offers flexibility.
6. Institutes have to acquire the expertise to place students with dual degrees as they are used to cater to single degree holders.