Just thinking here... Double Major/Second Degree

[Publius]

I'm really a ways off (really, a far way off If I even decide to go this route), but I was thinking about it anyway. What's the point in getting a double major when you can get a second degree? That's a lot of what I see, several folks on here just go and knock out a second degree...
So how many courses from your first degree can you apply to your second? I know the differences between these two things, but not the details on how much can be applied toward what. I'm sure the answer will be "it depends", but in general what are we looking at? Is there even a benefit to getting a dual major or having multiple degrees?

For example, what would be the difference for me to get a Dual Major in Accounting and Finance or just get the two separate degrees? Granted both degree's are from the same college, is my understanding that if I wanted to study both Accounting and Finance then a dual major would be better because they're both BSBAs, while it would be easier to obtain a BSBA in Accounting and a BA in History would be more feasible, correct?



Like I said, I've been pondering about this for a bit and I'm not sure why but it's bugging me that I don't really understand it... I get that way, I have to research something (or if I can't find it, ask you guys!) till I've got an answer. Thanks.

[Prloko]

One reason you may want to double-major is if you're using a third party payer. For example, the Air Force tuition assistance program will pay for one bachelor's degree and one masters, but not two bachelor's. If you double major, you can get TA to pay for both majors under one degree.

Another reason will be to use your free electives or credits that apply to two majors more effectivley. For example, TESC BSBA has 9 business electives and 6 free electives. You can use those 15 credits and and apply it to another concentration, or even use them toward another major like economics, this will save time over getting an additional 30 credits over the 120.

Also, some schools will not let you get a second bachelor's.

[cookderosa]

I'm really a ways off (really, a far way off If I even decide to go this route), but I was thinking about it anyway. What's the point in getting a double major when you can get a second degree? That's a lot of what I see, several folks on here just go and knock out a second degree...
So how many courses from your first degree can you apply to your second? I know the differences between these two things, but not the details on how much can be applied toward what. I'm sure the answer will be "it depends", but in general what are we looking at? Is there even a benefit to getting a dual major or having multiple degrees?

For example, what would be the difference for me to get a Dual Major in Accounting and Finance or just get the two separate degrees? Granted both degree's are from the same college, is my understanding that if I wanted to study both Accounting and Finance then a dual major would be better because they're both BSBAs, while it would be easier to obtain a BSBA in Accounting and a BA in History would be more feasible, correct?



Like I said, I've been pondering about this for a bit and I'm not sure why but it's bugging me that I don't really understand it... I get that way, I have to research something (or if I can't find it, ask you guys!) till I've got an answer. Thanks.

There are reasons people do it, however, where you're going to run into trouble, is that the "major" credits are the hardest and most expensive to earn. For instance, a double major in psych/soc. Ok, so psych is easy, lots of choices (classes, exams, etc, set you back about $1200 if you pay attention) but how do you get a second major in sociology? Which exams? Which classes? You're looking at an almost 100% class-based major, and you're looking at 33 credits (18 UL) so I'd spitball the cost to be somewhere around $5000 for JUST the second major.

If after research, you're satisfied that you're doing this so you can acquire the knowledge (which is fine) rather than a better return on investment (no chance) then go for it.

IMO, the double major has more impact if you're in a STEM field or at a B&M where you can get research experience.

To get away from the hypothetical, I'd instead suggest you work a plan to complete your undergrad as inexpensively as possible and redirect what you would have flushed on a second BA into a master's program. You can be 1/3 through a simple master's degree before you've spent that other $5k

[PonyGirl93]

I could have double-majored in Criminal Justice and English with only 9 additional credits (130 total). To get a second degree I would have had to take (correct me if my memory is off) something like 30 more credits. Not even the amount of courses to fill the requirements: an actual number of credits required to give a second degree. With a double major you just have to use up your free electives for the course requirements of the second major, then take 9 additional credits. I decided that the extra cost of taking 9 credits from BYU wasn't worth the second major to me, but I was definitely planning on doing it and it would not have been a big production. Now, if you decided to tack on a second major after you used up your free electives on other tests/classes, then it might be worth it to just get the second degree since you would need to pay for the additional classes anyway.