Are dual degrees nonsense? Forum

[DavidConeSplitter]

My understanding is that you only go to law school to be a lawyer. Are there situations where a dual degree like a JD/MA makes sense?--independent of the monetary investment because that will be different for everyone.

I guess the impression I'm getting is that dual degrees are basically marketing gimmicks at all but the best schools, designed to syphon off even more of the sweet federal student loan flow, while keeping afloat failing law schools as long as possible.

Is this an incorrect assessment? I have no horse in the race, just wondering what the TLS community thinks.

[bob311]

This will go against conventional TLS wisdom but I know an extremely successful lawyer who has built a firm from nothing who has a JD/MBA. Not only does he run his firm and is in court 4 days a week, he also has side business ventures he runs himself. Lets just say he makes a lot of money.

So regardless of what TLS thinks, I do believe there are people who can and will be effective with both. Just individual circumstances I say.

[lacrossebrother]

i'm pretty sure that people who don't get jd/mbas, like me, try to justify our decisions by RIDICULING the people who spend the extra time at paradise (aka school where you can sleep till noon and then sit on quads and watch hot chicks stroll around). obviously it's pretty dumb to do mba stuff for IP LIT, but it can definitely be useful for corporate stuff. also, like, shit isn't just for getting hired. sometimes it's actually good to be knowledgeable about stuff once you are working so maybe you can advance your career or get clients or something.

[timesnewboston]

ari gold has a jd/mba

/thread

[dudders]

ari gold has a jd/mba

/thread

Real-life Ari Emanuel doesn't.

(But I'd rather be Ari Gold, so ... )

[Moneytrees]

My understanding is that dual degrees aren't "nonsense" but that the benefits of having one usually don't justify the extra debt.

[francescalegge]

I just joined and I'm already incredibly unpopular here so keep that in mind when you read my answer

I've heard that JD/MBA combos are becoming both increasingly common and increasingly useful. I think it depends on what type of law you want to go into. I am currently considering a joint JD/MPIA because I lean more towards legal policy work.

You should also consider the financial aspect. If you get a good scholarship or don't have to pay tuition at all, why not? A degree is always helpful, whether it's worth it or not will depend on individual circumstances.

And, personally, I don't believe that a JD is only for people who want to practice law. I think that comes from the same mindset that says "Don't bother if you can't get into a T14 school" - it doesn't really make sense and it devalues people's choices and interests. It also fails to consider how valuable a law degree can be to someone who does not practice law but maybe deals with legal issues as part of another role.

[abl]

I just joined and I'm already incredibly unpopular here so keep that in mind when you read my answer

I've heard that JD/MBA combos are becoming both increasingly common and increasingly useful. I think it depends on what type of law you want to go into. I am currently considering a joint JD/MPIA because I lean more towards legal policy work.

You should also consider the financial aspect. If you get a good scholarship or don't have to pay tuition at all, why not? A degree is always helpful, whether it's worth it or not will depend on individual circumstances.

And, personally, I don't believe that a JD is only for people who want to practice law. I think that comes from the same mindset that says "Don't bother if you can't get into a T14 school" - it doesn't really make sense and it devalues people's choices and interests. It also fails to consider how valuable a law degree can be to someone who does not practice law but maybe deals with legal issues as part of another role.

It totally depends on the school and the degree. A JD-MBA from a lower-tier school is probably pretty worthless: a low-value MBA doesn't add much to a low-value JD. A JD-MA (English) from Harvard is also pretty useless: an MA in English adds very little value in any circumstances, even from Harvard, and I can't imagine what value it could possibly add to the JD. On the other hand, depending on what sort of law you want to practice, a JD-MS (in engineering, environmental science, etc) and even a JD-MPA from a good school can be extremely professionally helpful in the right circumstances--as well they should be. And JD-MDs, as ridiculous a concept as they may be, are super portable (although probably not enough to justify the added expense).

[zombie mcavoy]

derp

[gnomgnomuch]

I think this depends on the person, not the program. (Obviously, don't attend a bad law program and follow it up with another bad MA/MPP/MBA.)

If you have a legitimate reason for wanting a JD and a masters in "x" it's not something that should just be laughed off. However, if you're just getting it to be able to say I've got a masters in "x" and a JD it's prob not worth it.

[unlicensedpotato]

I chose not to go the JD/MBA route but I understand it. There is a world of difference between a good MBA and most other degrees in terms of how much you would benefit.

[abl]

I chose not to go the JD/MBA route but I understand it. There is a world of difference between a good MBA and most other degrees in terms of how much you would benefit.

Eh. I disagree. I think the MBA is an overrated degree in general. There are certainly times in which a JD-MBA is very helpful, but I suspect that a JD-hard science masters+ degree will generally be the most professionally helpful joint degree (at least assuming an interest in doing some sort of law that implicates the hard science).

[NoBladesNoBows]

.

[twenty 8]

If you are going into any aspect of health a JD/MBE is golden.

[tealeaves12]

.

[KMart]

My understanding is that dual degrees aren't "nonsense" but that the benefits of having one usually don't justify the extra debt.

This. It also depends on the school you're attending.