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Combined degeee versus one degree: What is better choice?

  • Comined Degree B.A Econonics and Geography

    Votes: 7 63.6%
  • B.A Economics

    Votes: 5 45.5%

  • Total voters
    11

waloshin

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 9, 2008
3,560
394
Are combined degrees frowned upon in the job market. Are you better off having a combines degree in Geography and Economics or just an Economics degree?
 
it all depends on what you are aiming for of course and what kind of job you want.

do you want to work in a field that combines the expertise of both (does it exist)

Or do you want to excel in one field? it's useless to get both than.

Don't look at a degree as a goal but more as an aim to do the kind you work you would love to do:)
 
It depends on your circumstances. Generally I'd steer clear of combined degrees that don't 'match' well. For example, PPE (philosophy, politics and economics) has some synergy. But two random subjects put together is a bit odd, unless there is a good reason for you to take them both.
 
With the combined degree you can get a concentration in Economic Developmnt,Urban planning or Environment and Resource Management. Though can you work in a bank with just a B.A in Economics?
 
I think if the degree combinations complement each other in some way it could be useful.

I'm doing an accounting specialist but am also majoring in economics. I know a few people who do finance/math or economics/math and completing the math major can help with the business degrees.
 
Define what you mean by compound degrees.
Is it dual major major or 2 completely separate degrees or is it a only a single major?

If it is a dual major or 2 separate degrees it is not going to really hurt you. Mostly it will help you and does make for an interesting conversation starter which in interviews is a good thing.

I have 2 bachelor degrees that do not really complement eachother at all.
 
Frowned upon? No.

Meaningful impact? Depends on the degrees.

Honestly, when I've conducted interviews, I'll look at the degrees and then look at work history and base questions off that. I don't think it would scare anyone away really but mismatched degrees wouldn't enhance a resume IMO.
 
How does your school define a combined degree?

My university offered a "medial", which effectively gave you two concentrations. However, a medial was 7.0 credits in each field, while a regular major was 10.0 credits. The result was, you were at a disadvantage vs. people with a single degree because you didn't have a "full" degree in either field. This was a big deal for grad schools, probably less so with jobs.

I imagine there are some fields were the medial would be very beneficial (urban planning comes to mind). But if you are splitting a degree this way, just be sure the advantage outweighs the downside (i.e., some people might not think you're qualified for a given job).

If you're talking about a double major where you complete two full degrees, then that's another story and you've got nothing to worry about. That would, imo, be highly beneficial whatever you want to do.
 
I get the feeling that a few posters think that geography and economics are somehow totally divorced from each other. Nothing could be further from the truth - unless you're talking physical geography, and even then it's more allied then some may be thinking.

Think about some of the books Friedman was written recently...
 
Define what you mean by compound degrees.
Is it dual major major or 2 completely separate degrees or is it a only a single major?

If it is a dual major or 2 separate degrees it is not going to really hurt you. Mostly it will help you and does make for an interesting conversation starter which in interviews is a good thing.

I have 2 bachelor degrees that do not really complement eachother at all.

The link to the list of courses:

http://www.uregina.ca/gencal/ugcal/facultyofArts/ugcal_167.shtml


I get the feeling that a few posters think that geography and economics are somehow totally divorced from each other. Nothing could be further from the truth - unless you're talking physical geography, and even then it's more allied then some may be thinking.

Think about some of the books Friedman was written recently...

Yeah they compliment one another.
 
A friend of mine was told he couldn't apply for a job as a primary (like kindergarten) school because he only had half a degree in a core subject. He studied history and politics.
 

That fails to answer my question.

Is it a dual major or is is it some type of degree that combines 2 different subjects by cutting parts out of each.

If it is the first one then it will help you a lot.

If it is the latter then it is an it depends answer.
It depends on what the combo is and what jobs you applying for. Some times being weaker in both the respective majors but having the combo is a hell of a lot nicer than being one or the other but other time if you want a straight person in either then you are much lower on the list.
 
That fails to answer my question.

Is it a dual major or is is it some type of degree that combines 2 different subjects by cutting parts out of each.

If it is the first one then it will help you a lot.

If it is the latter then it is an it depends answer.
It depends on what the combo is and what jobs you applying for. Some times being weaker in both the respective majors but having the combo is a hell of a lot nicer than being one or the other but other time if you want a straight person in either then you are much lower on the list.

The combined major has only 10 economics courses while the economics has 14 classes. While the combined for geography only has 10 geography and the b.a geography has 13.
 
The combined major has only 10 economics courses while the economics has 14 classes. While the combined for geography only has 10 geography and the b.a geography has 13.

Then it a complete it depends answer.

It depends on what you want to do. If you wanted to go into an area were one or the other was the primary then yeah the degree is not so useful but in field where it over lap and worked in that area so to that employer much more useful.

Basic answer is it depends because it really does.
 
Are combined degrees frowned upon in the job market. Are you better off having a combines degree in Geography and Economics or just an Economics degree?

I would say if you plan on getting an "easy" degree (most LAS degrees have far fewer course credits required for the degree, so you have many more elective courses) you should absolutely try to get a double major.
 
You should study post-apocalyptic economics and paleo-geography. Straight up Eco/geo double majors are oversupplied at the moment.

Start with memorizing the 24 provinces of Pangea and their capitols.
 
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